The perks of an international background

I was born in Munich, Germany, and moved at a young age to Singapore before settling in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I lived for over 14 years. Malaysia is where I grew up and built most of my foundation. I attended Mont’Kiara International School and later Alice Smith International School. Alongside school, I spent much of my time playing football five to eight times a week, learning discipline and commitment in competitive environments. I also played the violin, studied piano for a few years, and tried competitive swimming. Balancing school, sports, and music taught me structure, consistency, and time management. After Malaysia, I moved to Haarlem in the Netherlands and completed the International Baccalaureate at the International School of Haarlem. Starting over in a new country felt natural by then. I coached football, made new connections, and learned how to adapt quickly to new environments. Most recently, I moved to Finland to complete my national service. Growing up across different countries has made me adaptable, socially confident, and comfortable stepping into unfamiliar situations. Working with people from different cultures and backgrounds has been a constant part of my life and continues to shape how I approach new challenges.

I began my national service in Upinniemi, Finland, where I was introduced to a structured and demanding environment. After the initial period, I continued my service in Pansio, Finland, with increased responsibility. I served as a military police officer, a role that required discipline, sound judgment, and reliability. During my service, I was promoted to Yli-Matruusi in recognition of strong leadership and performance. My national service lasted nine months and strengthened my ability to work under pressure, take responsibility, and lead by example.

Directly after finishing high school, and after a period of doing door-to-door sales, I moved to Vaasa to start my university studies. I enrolled in the University of Vaasa, studying business and economics. During my first year, I completed the recommended 60 ECTS credits and was selected into the highly competitive major in accounting and finance.

After one year of focusing on my role in NESU as treasurer, and being active in corporate relations and event hosting for Vaasa ES, I was elected President of the organization. I now lead a board of seven dedicated members and work closely with around 30 active members. This role matters to me because I’ve experienced firsthand what an entrepreneurship society can change. I joined Vaasa ES as an active member with almost no prior experience. At the time, I couldn’t secure a summer job and felt stuck. Instead of waiting, I started showing up to activities and taking on small responsibilities. Step by step, I gained real experience: talking to people, doing sales, presenting, organizing events, and working in teams under pressure. It wasn’t theory, it was hands-on learning. Because the community was supportive, I could try, make mistakes, learn quickly, and improve without fear. That experience gave me skills, confidence, and a strong network. Being President now feels personal because I’ve gone from uncertainty to a position where I can help create the same starting point for others. My goal is to give more students their first real chance to build, learn, and grow.