“ACE is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that was impossible for me to pass up. It will allow me to immerse myself into a culture completely different from my own and better understand the world we live in, all while making a positive impact on others. I can’t wait for the journey ahead!”
Brandon’s past experiences with service include working with Stanford’s Summer Wrestling Camp. Brandon also volunteers with Children’s Champions, an event benefiting at-risk children in the Bay Area.
Brandon is a junior on the Stanford Wrestling team. He is pursuing a B.S. degree in Science, Technology, and Society and a minor in Psychology. He is focused on the role psychology has in start-ups and venture capital, and loves being creative and social on campus. Brandon had the opportunity to participate in ACE in China this past summer. He stayed at the China Exploration and Research Society (CERS) center where he taught local children English and sports alongside his new friend group of Duke and Stanford student-athletes. This was his first time overseas, and he felt China was the best fit for him because it would stretch and challenge him the most. His three-week immersion in another culture changed his perspective and facilitated personal growth. He developed better communication and leadership skills, conducted research alongside knowledgeable academics at the CERS center, and gained valuable cultural competence and understanding. Brandon plans to bring back memories and advice from his ACE in China experience to share with his friends, family, and teammates, and he is now committed to serving a greater role in service at Stanford and beyond.
Want to hear more about Brandon’s ACE experience? Contact Brandon.
Dear Future #ACEathletes,
- Best advice for learning about ACE: First, I browsed all the programs on the ACE website. Then, I talked with a couple friends who went to China and Vietnam and heard their personal experience. Lastly, I attended the info session, where they fielded all the questions I had.
- Best advice for applying for ACE: I think a strong application makes a big difference. A lot of energy and effort is put forth to make ACE possible and your application should reflect the same level of effort and commitment.
- Best advice for getting started at your program: Our entire group was very eager to meet one another and welcome everyone with open arms. Staying positive and interested was important especially during the long hours spent in the airport together.
- Tips for getting to know your community: Be respectful and helpful. I found the people I had similar interests with and just initiated conversation. Everyone is so friendly, so don’t be shy!
- Tips for training: Training with student-athletes from different teams was unique and fun. We had plenty of workout time built into the schedule so it’s nothing to worry about.
- Tips for bringing ACE back to your team: It all started with my teammates and asking how my summer went and mentioning that they saw me in China. This allowed for one-on-one conversation about the ACE program. I plan on having more formal conversations with my team about ACE as well.
- Reasons for staying involved in ACE: ACE was life-changing for me, and I want others to experience the same impact.