Hi, my name is Amber Fu, and I am so excited and grateful to be a part of the Baldwin Class of 2023.
I was born and raised in Palo Alto, California, a suburb half an hour south of San Francisco. I grew up in a family of four, consisting of me and my mom, dad, and younger brother, Ethan. These people are the greatest influencers in my life. Originally from Taiwan, my parents inspire me to work hard and embrace change. As for Ethan, although he is four and a half years younger, he has a genuine kindness, displayed through his words, actions, and approach to life, that makes me strive to be a better person every day.
In addition to my family, other constants in my life include my love for basketball, passion for mental health awareness, and desire to explore, whether it be through traveling, meeting new people, or trying new foods (check out instagram.com/ambersfoodreviews).
I started playing basketball in sixth grade, and have been playing ever since. Through the game itself and the people I met, including my coaches, teammates, and opponents, I learned the importance of commitment, perseverance, and respect, values I carry with me in everything I do.
In high school, I was introduced to Bring Change to Mind, an organization fighting against the stigma surrounding mental health and illnesses. When I first started the club at Gunn, I didn’t know that the club would come to mean so much to me. Over time, however, I realized that just by being a part of this diverse, yet like-minded, community of kind, compassionate, and inspiring people, I became more comfortable with not just talking about mental health in general, but talking about my mental health. I learned the importance of vulnerability and understanding that it is okay to not be okay, something that I have to constantly remind myself of in this new and exciting, yet very difficult, confusing, and uncomfortable time of transition into college.
Despite whatever challenges college may have brought into my life, however, I am beyond grateful for the endless opportunities and communities like P-WILD, men’s rowing, women’s club basketball, and now, Baldwin, that Duke has given to me. As I continue on my journey through college, I look forward to seeing what the next four years will bring and who I will become.