Interview W/ Michelle Zaldarriaga by James Callahan

Interview With Michelle Zaldarriaga by James Callahan, Spring 2006

Sitting across from Ms. Zaldarriaga I became aware quickly that she was not just an ordinary young woman. For one thing, she defies convention if only for the fact that we sat in a Starbucks talking for over an hour and she did not buy a single venti, tall or mocha or anything. She dresses nice: fashionably inclined, yet able to dodge convention by steering clear of mainstream fads.

Michelle presents herself very professionally- she has a lively demeanor about her, an inexplicable verve and expresses her own style just through the way she speaks. One of her most admirable attributes is her ability to articulate herself with such confidence, and without the need of a Starbucks beverage to kick it into full gear. More than I cold say as I clutched my own coffee during our conversation.

Wiser than her 26 years would imply, Michelle was born in La Mirada, California, the oldest of two children. She has many interests, some of which directly associated with her future goals. Ms. Zaldarriaga enjoys live musical events and dancing, traveling, trying new foods from various restaurants and frequenting museums. Implications gathered from these interests reveal that she is a spontaneous young woman, who enjoys, even reveals, in the unknown.

I think everyone should confront his or her own fear, she responded after I asked what her basic summation of human inadequacy would be in her own opinion. Confronting fear is an equation of confidence, courage and strength.

Ms. Zaldarriaga is somewhat of a veritable life force. Her favorite pastimes are a diverse lot, varying across the board from painting, attempting to learn various instruments, drawing, outdoor activity, personal writing and photography.

Her initial major upon graduating from high school was merchandise marketing, for which she attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, or FIDM. Afterward, Michelle lived across Northern California, including San Leandro, Hayward, Union City, Redwood City and San Francisco.

She moved back home to Southern California to begin a new major in Health Science, for which she is currently working toward a transfer from Fullerton College to Cal State Fullerton in the fall.

With a strong mind for world change, Ms. Zaldarriaga wishes to combine her major with journalism and photography in hopes of contributing to public awareness in third world countries. Taking Health Science is a chance for her to better understand the problematic epidemics corroding areas of the globe from a standpoint that can allow her to better make a difference.

When asking what concept she thought would help bring the most positive amount of change to our world, her answer was simply, "kindness. People should, simply, be nice. One of the biggest problems in this world is that too many people are selfish - apathy runs deep, and that's really our biggest problem. Love is also important, but that goes hand and hand with kindness. What you give is far more important that what you receive, in the long run. These are simple values, but values that many people seem to have forgotten."

For someone who has reversed her major and initial career plans in an attempt to better make a difference, Michelle Zaldarriaga is a fine example that hard work and determination far outweigh the pessimistic notion that once you begin upon one course, forever must you proceed upon it. Quite the opposite: there's always time to change the road you're on.