CARB STORY due in 9 hours

CARB Stories

My first CARB story would have to be my current employment at University House, the

apartment complex across the street from the Sun Devil Stadium. I am a leasing consultant there,

but far more goes into student housing than selling leases. Working with international students

has always been a challenge for me, but going to a university with a huge international student

population I had no choice but to adapt. The hardest part is understanding cultural differences.

When there is a language and social barrier, it was hard not to get frustrated with the

international residents and potential clients. Slowly, I was able to grasp bits and pieces of the

little English they knew and would be able to form together their wants and questions. I also did

my research on language barriers and discovered an app where you can speak to each other in

said language. But, the main skill that I developed would be patience. With time and practice, I

am now able to work with not only international students, but have also enhanced my

communication skills with any type of person dealt to me.

I think it also important to reflect on my high school career. Throughout high school

tennis, I struggled with, of course, tennis elbow (tendonitis). By sophomore year I was sitting out

in unimportant matches to save my arm for those that mattered. By junior year, I at sometimes

would not be able to hold a racket for more than 30 minutes, leaving me to only play ¼ of my

season. I was heartbroken by the fact I could not see what the rest of the season had in store for

me. I was projected to make it to state. I had gone to physical therapy the year before, but never

took it seriously. But, I knew my senior year had to be different. I rejoined ATI physical therapy

and went in full force. I worked out five days a week with the exercises given to me and came

back my senior year in the best shape of my life. I came out as 2nd in conference, 3rd in

sectionals, and finally made my high school goal of making it to state. Once I realized that truly

setting your mind to something creates great achievements, I also worked harder in school,

raising my grade point average by .35 points by senior year.