The document describes the author's experience taking a solo trip to Eastern Europe after being inspired by a quote about making choices and taking chances. Though initially fearful of traveling alone, the author embarked on a month-long solo trip. Contrary to expectations, the author was only alone for one day and ended up meeting friends from home and making over a dozen new friends along the way. The risk of solo travel paid off with memorable experiences that would not have been possible otherwise. The author hopes to bring this sense of fearlessness and curiosity to an MBA program.

1. The Biggest
Risk I Took…

2. Who’s interested
in traveling with me!?
Kaitlyn: I’ve never traveled
alone before. And I’m a
girl, so I guess I’ll have to
wait when they’re free…
Friends: We’re too
busy being in a
relationship.

3. But then an
epiphany hits –
why not go by myself?
Some times in life, you have to
take a risk to see where it takes
you.

4. The 3 Cs in life:
Choices,
Chances, Changes
You must make a
choice to take a chance
or your life will never
change.

5. Inspired by the quote,
I decided to embark
on a month long trip
to Eastern Europe by myself.

6. The irony was, after
getting over the initial
fear and finally
embracing the idea of a
solo adventure, I was
only alone for 1 day!

7. In taking the risk to travel
for the first time by myself,
I ended up meeting with
6 different sets of friends
from home and making over a
dozen new ones along the way.

8. My mini Eastern Europe by storm was a
success!

9. The reason I shared this story is
to show how I didn’t let fear of
the unknown stop me from trying
something new. And in the end,
the risk paid off exponentially as
I was able to build memories that
otherwise wouldn’t have been
possible had my trepidations won.

10. I would love an opportunity to bring
this sense of fearlessness and curiosity
to the IE international MBA program.
I know there are other applicants
who may have a more impressive GPA
or test score, but I stand strongly in saying
that I will bring a lot of heart and insight
to the group that is more valuable
than anything that can be
measured simply in numbers.