Essay 3: What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants?

How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? To me, learning new things has always been fun. I love associating my learnings with practical experiences in life. When my science teacher at school taught me about the kaleidoscope, I sat with my grandfather to make one at home. I learned my early lessons in mathematics using an abacus and multiplication strips. This habit of associating theoretical knowledge with practical experience helped me perform well academically, and in the Std.10 board examinations I was acknowledged as one of the national toppers. This performance also earned me an opportunity to witness Indias Republic Day parade in 2006 as the guest of the Hon. Prime minister of India. I would love to share my practical approach towards learning with my fellow students during the case study exercises and add color to the learning experience. Im also an avid blogger with over 30,000 views for my blog. I use this platform to review books, among others. The most gratifying aspect about this hobby is when I find positive and encouraging comments from authors whose books I review on my blog. Doing this on a regular basis has helped cultivate a taste for good books and has also instilled a sense of disinterested evaluation of various works, in me. I also write about products and mobile apps on my blog, some of which have won prizes for their creativity and clarity in contests held by the various blogging forums. As a member of the Exnora club, right from my school days, Ive participated in activities aimed at sustainable development of the environment. I have actively attended seminars and rallies aimed at reducing pollution levels in the environment and have also been a part of

environment cleaning campaigns. This awareness motivated me to install rain water harvesting plant at my own home. I have also cultivated a kitchen garden on my terrace which provides naturally grown varieties of spinach, and green leaves with medicinal properties such as the basil and betel. I would like to be a part of the Sustainability Leadership Capstone program at UNC too. Ive learnt Carnatic music- a traditional form of south Indian music for over eight years and have performed on stages. I enjoy this hobby the most as it gives me a sense of peace and satisfaction. This form of music demands discipline and focus, and practicing the same consistently over the years has helped me in developing these traits. I would love to teach this to all those interested in learning this art form at the university. I believe that my experiences have been diverse and Im always open to embrace more. I shall bring along with me, an enthusiasm for learning, a taste for evaluation, a sense of social consciousness and the skill of music to the UNC class of 2014. Im sure that I shall be able to take back an even richer experience filled with all the values that UNC Kenan Flagler stands for.