I went to a very prestigious and academic international school in England. Having moved countries 5 times and being diagnosed with dyspraxia and dyslexia I found school really hard. All my school cared about was their outstanding reputation for getting kids into top universities and maintaining the highest academic standards. A kid like me was not welcome and they had no idea what to do with me. I was bright and good with people but I was outcasted and labeled as troubled and a lost cause. During junior and seniors years when everyone else was picking what Unis to apply to I was told that I shouldn't even bother as I was never going to get in, I was going to be lucky to even graduate!

My mum never gave up on me, she pushed me through algebra 2 and made me take AP economics, where finally something clicked. I actually found it interesting and my teacher was the first one I had had in my whole high school career who believed I could do it. I got a 3, which I was pretty happy with, graduated on time and got a job working at a local stables.

I decided that I had had enough of England so packed my bags and moved to New Zealand where I fell in love with the country. After 6 months of having time to think I decided that I did want to go to Uni and applied to the Auckland University of Technology and got in! 3.5 years later I graduated with a Bachelor of Business majoring in International Business and Management with a minor in Economics. I was also in the top 10% of students in both my majors.

I am now in NYC and about to start a very exciting internship at a digital marketing firm.

Once I was out of my high school and really had a chance to evaluate what I wanted and think about my future for myself is when I began to push myself. All in all don't let anyone tell you that you aren't smart or capable enough. If you are determined to make something happen it will happen. Have some faith in yourself and prove all those assholes wrong.