Michelle Hristea
IB Student| Exploring the intersection of Technology, Global Systems, and Human Judgment
How I Think
We are entering a world where artificial intelligence can process information faster than any human. Knowledge, once the most valuable asset, is increasingly becoming automated. What interests me most is the space technology cannot easily occupy: understanding people - their motivations, fears, perspectives, and the human dynamics that shape decisions, institutions, and markets.
Growing up in Toronto - one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world - and attending a French - language school has shaped the way I see those dynamics. Moving between languages and cultures taught me early the importance of listening carefully and understanding different perspective. The ability to truly listen to another person, to read a room, understand motivations, and recognize the human side of decisions is a skill that I believe will become even more important in an increasingly technological world.
I have always been deeply interested in people. I remember reading about war for the first time as a child and realizing that ideas and policies always have human consequences. That realization stayed with me. Over time it evolved into a deep curiosity about human behaviour - why people make the choices they do, how societies respond to uncertainty, and how understanding those dynamics can lead to better decisions.
Academic Direction
My academic path through the International Baccalaureate reflects the questions that genuinely interest me. I study languages, global politics, Environmental Systems and Societies, and mathematics. Together, they paint a picture of a world that is deeply interconnected- ecologically, politically, and technologically..
One of the tensions that particularly captures my attention is the relationship between artificial intelligence and the energy systems that sustain it. AI promises extraordinary advances, yet the infrastructure required to power these technologies is immense. Understanding how technological progress, resource constraints, and economic systems interact feels like one of the defining questions my generation will need to navigate.
Global Perspective
Travel has also shaped my perspective. Spending time in Europe - partly because of my roots, and partly through curiosity - deepened my appreciation for history, identity, and the beauty of difference. At same time, growing up in Canada has exposed me to the energy of North American ambition, innovation, and multiculturalism. I see myself as belonging to both worlds: - rooted in North America, connected to Europe, and curious about everywhere else. I speak English and French fluently, and I am currently learning Spanish. Languages for me, are not only tools of communication, they are ways of understanding how people see the world.
Future Direction
I am drawn to international business because it sits at the intersection of people, culture, and systems. In a future increasingly shaped by technology and automation, I believe the ability to understand human behaviour, navigate complex relationships, and build bridges across cultures will become even more valuable. My goal is to work in spaces where those human dimensions sill matter - where decisions require judgment, perspective, and an understanding of people as much as they require knowledge.