We’d like to introduce you to a Baret Scholar, Juliana—seen at the top right of the picture, in conversation with her peers and Robbie Myers at the Morning Program. Juliana is a UN Youth Parliament member, polyglot (6 languages), national dancer, and startup founder. After graduating from school in Poland, Juliana decided to be a Baret Scholar instead of going straight to one of the great universities she had been admitted to. Wondering why? We talked to her in New York City and asked her that very question. 

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We’re talking in New York City, a week before you head off to São Paulo and South America. Can you tell us how you found yourself here? 

Well, the story starts in high school. 

As so many do… 

Yes. In high school, I was kind of always moving with the current, following the narrative for high achieving students. And, to an extent, I’m glad I did. But I started to feel like I didn’t have any control over where I was going or what I was going to do. 

The narrative…

Exactly. For example, I got into a lot of good universities and people were telling me that this is the path you should be pursuing. Baret—my life right now—is the first time in my life where I’m actually stepping out of that narrative. My life is so empowering just knowing that I’ve made this decision to go with Baret around the world instead of going straight to university.

Empowering…How so?

I love taking risks. I take as many opportunities as I can. With Baret, I have this opportunity to do all the things I want to do—for a year! There's no way I can say no to that. Every day, I’m having conversations that are changing my perspectives and values. There’s a lot of internal change happening. 

Speaking of risks and opportunities, how have you liked New York City?

Everyone is in New York City. You can meet someone in a deli in the morning and then they know someone, and that person knows someone, and by dinner time, you're having dinner with very important people in different industries. 

I know what you mean! A life can change over the course of a day. How has your life changed recently? 

Well, I think I’ve changed my focus of study. I was going to study physics at university. But now, after my work with the U.N., I’m thinking a lot about the kind of positive impact I can create and considering doing law. And now, I’m spending a week with one of Baret’s fellows, Claudia Kahindi, doing a Fellowship focused on law!

From the laws of the universe to the laws of the land!

And the laws of the people! You know, this is the beauty of Baret—I have access to so many resources. One moment, I’m considering law, and the next I can do a Fellowship about New York’s legal Nexus with a legal scholar from Oxford. 

You’ve been a Baret Scholar for a month. What is one thing that has inspired you the most? 

I was really struck by one of the first speakers, Wendy Kopp, the founder of Teach for All. I’m really interested in education, and now I’m actually trying to apply to a fellowship that she applied to years ago when she started her career. You know, a lot of the time you hear that it’s the older generations who created positive change, but she was so encouraging to all of us, inviting us to contribute, and being inclusive. It made me think, no matter what my goals are, I cannot live my life without having some kind of positive impact.

Thanks Juliana. Safe travels and enjoy the rest of your journey!