user profile avatar

Lais Kawabata

2,995

Bold Points

Bio

Hello, and thank you so much for taking the time to check out my Bold profile! My name is Lais Ayumi Kawabata, an Asian Brazilian student that is eighteen years old and recently graduated with a Brazilian High School diploma last year. In 2023, I transferred colleges and intend to continue my economics bachelor studies in the United States. I am most passionate about economic research, especially regarding sustainable development and the optimal use of our scarce global resources. Accordingly, I always follow the scout’s motto, “Be Prepared,” as one of my main life goals is to make the world a better place, understanding how our actions impact the outcomes with critical thinking and teamwork. Moreover, one of my abilities is to plan ahead carefully to make my dreams become reality, taking every opportunity that comes my way because I am determined to accomplish my life goals with resilience and courage. Hence, I am using Bold.org: an incredible resource that gives me an opportunity to receive one of these fantastic scholarships! Thus, I consider myself a great candidate because I am determined to succeed. I will keep trying and maintain an optimistic mindset no matter how many times I fail since I want to make this journey worth it. The only element missing from my road to success is financial support, and I hope you can help me with that.

Education

Ithaca College

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Economics

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Economics
    • Mathematical Economics
    • Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
    • Economics and Computer Science
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Research

    • Dream career goals:

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Food Pantry — Manage the place by volunteering
        2023 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Red Cross — Volunteer
        2023 – Present

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Politics

      Volunteering

      Philanthropy

      Entrepreneurship

      Anime Enthusiast Scholarship
      “I’m going to be King of the Pirates!” – This keen declaration by Monkey D. Luffy starts a breathtaking saga spanning over 1000 episodes, 5 OVAs, 13 TV specials, and 15 movies. A young dreamer embarks on a remarkable journey that redefines the meaning of freedom. He forges his destiny by searching for the One Piece with the straw hats crew and breaking free from societal norms of becoming part of the Marines. As a lifelong anime enthusiast, I confidently state that One Piece is the most endlessly captivating series for me. Hence, I am eager to explore the reasons behind this in the essay. One Piece celebrated its 24th birthday in October of 2023, being a long-running series animated for longer than I have been alive. Eiichiro Oda, the anime creator, successfully transcends the boundaries of storytelling, being able to craft an intricate alternate universe of its own. The Grand Line is a sea route that circles the planet west to east, being the predominant setting of the series. Known as a “pirate’s graveyard,” it contains unique properties, such as magnetic fields that affect navigation and rare severe weather that make sailing extremely challenging. That is also why the most dangerous pirates in the world are located there. To illustrate even more Oda’s commitment to world-building, multiple other fascinating and unique elements are embedded into the narrative that the viewers discover alongside the journey. One of them is the Devil’s fruits, treasures of the sea that grant their eaters varied superhuman powers in exchange for their inability to swim. While some believe the odyssey is unnecessarily extensive, it is actually one of its valuable attributes in my opinion. If it were only a few episodes, One Piece would not be able to delve into the current exceptional attention to each character. All the Straw Hat Pirate members have a detailed background and development throughout time. Each character is irreplaceable and comes from diverse backgrounds, sincerely expressing vigorous friendship in their unique way to pursue life-long dreams. The main idea reinforced is that true strength derives from a mix of unwavering determination and bonds forged with others. In this sense, one of many valuable lessons I learned from the series is that authentic leadership and teamwork come from guiding others to be their best versions, thriving individually towards a shared goal. In the contemporary world with so much conflict, this anime taught me the essential skill of harmonizing diverse perspectives to maximize efficiency while maintaining prosperity. Furthermore, One Piece’s overall narrative is unique and creative. By intimately accompanying the characters, viewers resonate with them profoundly. In this way, there is a seamless blend of intense battles, heartwarming scenes, and impeccable comedic relief timing that transcend what I have ever seen before on other animes. Anyone who watches a few episodes will be hooked on it since a short 24-minute episode can unfold laughter, tears, and joy. Viewers like me eagerly anticipate the next revelation, considering the brilliant strokes of foreshadowing present. Oda satisfies viewers who pay attention to details from earlier stories, as they are coherently brought up again in future scenes. For example, Koby was a cowardly character introduced in the first episode that returns in further episodes, demonstrating his growth. In conclusion, these three broad elements explain briefly why I can watch this fantastic anime over and over. Its world-building capacity, the background depth of each character, and the series’ overall narrative are mesmerizing. Thus, as a devoted active viewer, I eagerly look forward to unfolding more One Piece adventures that await me in the following years.
      Pratibha Pandey Merit-Based Scholarship
      Throughout my life, one unwavering constant stands out: a will to do my best in everything I set my mind to. I was only ten years old when I realized that. As a cub scout, I lead a small group of six younger members. During a challenging camping trip, it rained a lot; some got bee stings, and everyone was tired. These hardships did not bring me down. Rather than quickly succumbing to adversity, I viewed it as an opportunity to unify my team even more. I motivated other kids, encouraging them with laughter and happiness. We could get through that easily together. Ultimately, we got first place, and I got an award for best group leader. Since that experience, my perspective on leadership has deepened. Leadership is not to boss people around. You guide others to be their best versions and thrive individually towards a shared goal. I believe that by recognizing the unique attributes of each team member, authentic leadership lies in blending these diverse perspectives harmoniously to maximize efficiency. Even as I embark on my college journey, I still follow the lessons of leadership and resilience I learned through my years of world scouting. I am an international undergraduate student from Brazil who keeps embarking on many leadership opportunities. At the same time, I do my best to manage time between extracurricular activities, maintaining my GPA, and stepping out of my comfort zone. In my recently concluded first semester, I actively engaged in a multifaceted approach to community involvement and personal growth. Recognizing the importance of giving back, I dedicated my time to several volunteering initiatives, such as blood drives as well as tablings, food pantry and giving days. I met wonderful people in this process and am glad to contribute to these collective efforts with tangible impact on people’s lives. Not only being an active participant but also suggesting improvements and innovations in the process. Beyond direct community service, I also participated in club meetings, fostering connections with multiple individuals and broadening my perspectives. The Red Cross allowed me to extend my passion to help others. The Asian American Association celebrates my Japanese ancestry, and I learn more about different customs. Lastly, the Brazilian Student Association connected me with other Brazilians. Thus, these organizations and more I came across made me feel more connected to the university, building bridges across cultures and creating a supportive as well as inclusive community. Furthermore, I participated in a scope of leadership opportunities that will promptly guide me into being a leader in future years of college and beyond. The multiple leadership-themed workshops I attended interconnect the process of leading yourself, leading others, and leading in a diverse world. I also went on a Knowledge to Action Retreat, in which I immersed myself in social justice activism through the lens of Harriet Tubman’s impactful journey. Considering all my different activities while maintaining my 4.0 GPA, time management is essential. Adjusting to more challenging college exams, balancing social life, adapting to a new environment, and maintaining mental health are hard to achieve simultaneously. Personally, I organize everything with a color-coded Google calendar. This tool is crucial to managing my time. I update it every end of the week with reminders and realistic goals, reserving time to relax, meditate, and gather with friends. In addition to that resource, seeking help and learning to take your time is vital. Above everything, we need to embrace setbacks, learn valuable lessons from mistakes, and navigate a balanced college life with resilience. After all, every new day promises a fresh start and endless possibilities.
      Lais Kawabata Student Profile | Bold.org