Coming to the UN has helped me become engaged in issues that go beyond what affects me directly.

Aside from your own career ambitions, it's important as a person to devote yourself to issues that open your mind and help you develop a new way of viewing the world and your place in it. You begin to break-down your stereotypes and understand that we're all just people and that we impact each other all the time through our choices.

Human rights, especially education, freedom of speech, the ability to live without fear of being reprimanded for your life style... these are issues that my generation is beginning to understand and not take for granted. With the Internet, there's no excuse for not being exposed to other people's realities and being grateful for what you have.

There is poverty even here in New York. Even if I can't give money, I try to listen to what people have to say and let them know that there are groups that are concerned with their well being.