Maria Rose Young

Artist, Change Agent, Engineer, Explorer, Foodie, Global soul, Idea generator, Performer, Student, World traveler

I am a creative engineering and international development student, constantly learning and sparking interests in different disciplines. I believe in the power of being in the present and recognizing the endless worth of learning the stories of the people you surround yourself with.

Instilling confidence in those around you, education, global health, urban poverty, the environment, music, theater, math, spirituality. Mostly passionate about continuing to grow this list.

Differences stick out first. Your eyes, your brain goes directly to the things that sort you apart from every individual that you meet. What if you poured energy into finding the similarities? How would our perspectives change on each other and on ourselves?

I attended TEDxUofM 2011, Encouraging Crazy Ideas my freshman year of college. I was instantly hooked on TED. I was so proud to be at the University of Michigan, surrounded by people who were doing incredible things and taking the time to share their stories with others. As I learned more about the TED community I also joined the TEDxUofM planning team for the following year. I have to say around this time, entering my sophomore year of college, I was lacking passion in my school work and in my life. Through TEDxUofM I met incredible people, I was asked to do incredible work. I put endless energy and thought into the conference but it gave me so much more than I gave it. It reminded me of my love of learning, and my motto that the world is literally at my fingertips. Now, as the organizer of TEDxUofM 2013 I am working to give that change of perspective to others on my campus and beyond.