Perspective You Bring Sample 1

Essay Prompt

Brandeis attracts students from many corners of the world. As an international student at Brandeis, how would you enrich the campus community?

Sample Essay

I have grown up in Greece. Greek culture encourages the pursuit of happiness, which it describes with two hard-to-translate words: "kefi" and "meraki". "Kefi" is the spirit of passion, joy, zest for life, having fun, being laidback but not lazy. "Meraki" is being conscientious beyond the call of duty, being creative, putting your soul into any task, be it cooking or building a house.

I like to think that I embody these two concepts in the way that I live and study. I am a bit of a nerd, especially when it comes to physics and computers. But I'm not a total nerd. I do a lot of sports – water polo, tennis, squash, swimming -- among them.I also adore music and I play the drums as if I’m a true rock star (at least in my own mind). I hope that I will inspire my classmates from around the world to put “kefi” and “meraki” into their lives and pursue happiness “Greek style.”

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