Soraya Beheshti

Dean's List Honors x3
King's College Academic Endeavor Award
King's College Award for Academic Excellence x3
King's College Visual Arts Prize
Pauline Mellow Memorial Prize for Visual Arts (first prize & runner-up)

Life imitates art

Eat Offbeat, CareOf, Thrive Market, Airbnb, Venmo, Headspace

Being able to create the world you want by providing value might be the most satisfying thing one can do. Entrepreneurs are artists who take the world as block of marble and carve out the model they want to see.
It's frustrating when you can't afford a sharper chisel.

From teaching in Vietnam (trekking across the country in a 40-hour bus, no less), climbing volcanos in New Zealand and working at the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg to volunteering in refugee camps in Jordan and France, operating an online vegan boutique and co-founding a non-profit, I have learned to rule no experiences out. While I always lamented the fact that I moved around so much as a child, I have come to see it as an asset, for I learned how to be adaptable; to be able to make a home out of anything, anywhere.

I am well prepared for the international work force. My experience ranges from finance and culture to journalism, sales, research and media. I work well both in a team and on my own but thrive as a leader. I enjoy problem-solving and service work. I am confident in my abilities and aware of my weak spots.
I am passionate about languages -- probably because the thought of being in a country and not being able to speak with people seems unbearable to me. My various experiences have inspired me to try where I can to improve the lot of humanity through innovative tech solutions to global crises. I favor interdisciplinary approaches, spanning the social, political and academic realms. I am currently working on a book on my theory of Sectionalism (moral disengagement and the art of prejudice) -- a topic which I have lectured extensively on, including at CUNY, VegFest NYC and GreenFest. I believe in leading a life that reflects my moral values to the best of my ability. Therefore, I write vegan recipes, advocate for animal and human justice and organize grassroots initiatives that engage the community through sustainable activism.