Kenrick — A Conversation with Kenrick Mark Coleman Features Michael Paredes
The Kenrick Mark Coleman Foundation
Kenrick — A Conversation with Kenrick Mark Coleman Features Michael Paredes
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am Michael Paredes, an 18-year-old first year at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, USA. I will graduate in the class of 2022. I was born in Belmopan where I spent my younger years volunteering with the Scouts and the Lions Organization as well as playing the steel pan with the Panerrifix Steel Band. I also participated in many other groups and projects. For a while, I attended Our Lady of Guadalupe High School in Belmopan where I studied Business and held numerous positions in the student body. In 2016, I moved to Singapore to pursue a UWC Scholarship at the United World College of South East Asia’s Dover campus, graduating with an International Baccalaureate in 2018.
2. You are currently pursuing your undergraduate degree, majoring in Economics (with an emphasis in Finance) and Political Science at St. Olaf College. What do you believe is important in this your role?
Personally, I believe that having a plan as well as the dedication to pursue the goals I set myself are of the utmost importance. Above all, I believe that my passion for the activities I have chosen help me to be focused and ambitious enough to follow through to reach my goal (it is impossible to complete something you do not love). However, it is also important to strike a balance with the academic and social life on campus, so as to make the most of my time here and learn as much as possible, in theory and practice, as well as keeping my mental and physical well-being.
3. Tell us more about your academic life at this University? How did you receive the scholarship? Why did you choose this particular University? When did you commence studies? What subject areas are you focused on? What’s your relationship like with fellow students?
I began my studies at St. Olaf college in August of 2018, after finishing my studies at UWCSEA in Singapore. As a part of my time at UWCSEA, my advisors helped me to think of further education and guided me to make the right decision in my college of choice. I knew I needed a school that offered studies in Finance, as well as a school where I would be able to pursue my extracurricular interests such as music and economic clubs. In addition, it is a private school with a smaller student body where I would be able to have closer interactions with students and staff. The scholarship to attend here was extended as a condition of my acceptance, which involved a bit more work to apply, but was otherwise as simple as trying.
My academic life is focused heavily on completing the courses required for my double major, but it is a wonderful experience to be immersed in so much knowledge, despite the additional workload. My studies are focused on the mathematical side of economics, and will require many courses in that field, in addition to courses in Political Science that focus on the principles of governance, the ethics of policies, and the impact on a global scale. My relationship with students is very close and supportive, granted that I participate in a broad range of different activities which have helped me to meet more of my fellow students and become more involved in campus life.
4. Describe your transformation process from little Belize to the USA?
Belize, as young and small as it is, is not too different from the world around it. Personally, the biggest issues I faced were in adapting to the new climate and becoming independent enough to live alone in a new city with different customs. For the first few weeks, it was a little difficult to adjust to the new modes of transport and the lack of tropical sunshine. Nonetheless, having lived previously in Singapore, I was able to quickly become familiar with the new country, thanks to great friends who were also in the same situation, as well as those who knew the area better and helped me to familiarize myself.
5. What are the challenges you face as a student at university? Opportunities?
The single biggest challenge I face is time. In higher education, I have been faced with the challenge of time not only in my studies, but also in the fulfillment of my duties with my organizations on campus, and the social aspect of a college. These commitments usually leave me pressed for time, but having previously developed a strong work ethic and organizational skills enables me to manage my time effectively.
Living on campus gives me the greatest of opportunities, since I am able to access the school’s faculty and resources, including the libraries and practice rooms. In addition, I am given the opportunity to live alongside wonderful students who give interesting insights to all topics, and also help to relax and know more about other places in the world.
6. Why is your major important to Belize’s National Progressive and Sustainable Development?
Economics, being the study of scarcity and the production and distribution of resources; and Political Science, being the study of effective policy making and the interactions between countries, are going to be critically important as a guiding force in the development of Belize alongside other nations. With the knowledge from these majors, Belize would be able to experience development in efficiency and self-sustainability. Through these, Belize will experience an overall increase in the standards of living, which will have a down-wind impact on the nation’s ability to innovate and develop in every other field, allowing Belize to become competitive on the world stage, and help boost every citizen’s life, health, income, and happiness. These are just the start of the benefits of a study in these fields, and having them combined gives the knowledge to ask critical questions about the status of the country, and find practical solutions for every problem; of which the list never ends.
7. Apart from your studies, do you participate in activities with other Belizeans/classmates there? How do you uphold Belize’s namesake? What is your personal definition of discipline and excellence?
Sadly, I am the only Belizean on campus, and as such I am unable to interact much with other Belizeans in the United States. However, I am actively involved with the spreading of Belize’s name on campus by being involved with several international-student groups which host events throughout the year where I am able to proudly display Belize’s cultures and flag for the community to see. Whenever possible, I ensure that I let people know that I am from Belize, which is usually followed by curious questions about Belize, which I am glad to answer. With the wider community, I participate with on various levels, including the cultural events as mentioned above, but also in musical events where I perform alongside them for concerts. Furthermore, I am involved in several organizations such as Economics and Investment clubs (among others) where I actually hold leadership positions. All these interactions are very friendly and welcoming, which is excellent to develop friendships and bonds that last a lifetime.
As for discipline and excellence, I believe that the most important part is knowing yourself down to the very fiber. In order to excel, you must first acknowledge where you are deficient, and then work on improving yourself before you are able to improve anything/anyone else. This is where discipline relates, as it asks that you take the time to conceptualize your goals down to the very detail, and then dedicate every available resource to its realization. However, discipline also acknowledges one’s limitations, and then finds ways to adapt to those limitations and be the best in your respective field. Excellence, therefore, is the habit of doing this for every situation, and is thus a repeated action. Excellence only requires that you are true to yourself and dedicate yourself to everything you do. Knowing this, we can all be excellent- if only we are dedicated.
8. In one of my recent articles, I stated: ‘It is important to realize that the majority of Belize’s younger populations continue to be very mediocre as it relates to becoming holistically educated and cultured, personally and professionally.’ What’s your perspective on this?
As harsh as it seems, I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. There are a range of reasons why the Belizean youths have become mediocre, but above all, there is no denial that they have. This is a tragedy, as the youths are the only ones able to inherit the future, and if they no longer play an active role in its development, then, they have no one but themselves to blame for the state we are in. Mediocrity comes in many forms, but the best way to rephrase it is “complacency”. The youth must not be satisfied with the state that they are in, and realize that there is always more to learn- whether in an academic, cultural, or professional setting. Education is more than just earning a grade, and it must always be more diverse than a single specialty; these thoughts lead to complacency, and will result in problems in the future. The youths must do what they need to now, so that they can do what they want to later.
9. What can Belize expect from you in let’s say, the next 5 years? What do you believe should be 5 national priorities for sustainable development in Belize?
Within the next five years, I anticipate that I will still be pursuing higher education abroad. However, I expect to become increasingly involved with organizations and the community at home and try to bring about the awareness needed for each individual to become better. Once I have completed my education, then I will be able to return to Belize and pursue my dream of making Belize a more competitive and self-reliant country, raising the standards of living for all, and truly developing our great Nation.
I believe the top five national priorities should be as follows (in no specific order):
i. Improvements to the education system, thereby increasing overall education and making Belizean graduates more innovative and able to compete on the world stage.
ii. Increases in technological use and access, particularly in the financial sector which will increase access to finances around the country; as well as increasing transparency and accountability in transactions.
iii. Transitions to national production sustainability, by doing this Belize will become less reliant on imports that we can otherwise produce ourselves, which will also help to reduce our costs and help the local economy.
iv. Increases in production, which will result in the increase of work opportunities. In doing this, the country will see greater overall standards of living which may help to reduce the negative externalities found within the country.
v. Greater access to funding for innovation and entrepreneurship which will empower the dreamers and creators of Belize to pursue their projects and help make Belize a competitive country on the world stage.
10. What three words do you have to say to young Belizeans?
- Learn; Apply; Achieve
It is important to note that education does not happen just in the classroom. Every moment is an opportunity to learn, whether academically, socially, or artistically. However, education means nothing if you do not take risks and apply what you have learnt. Only in action are we able to see the faults of our knowledge, and through this we are able to improve for future opportunities. And realize, it is through repeated actions of learning and application that we are able to achieve our goals- just never stop trying.
