For most high school seniors, the biggest move they’ve made is from middle school to high school. But for Matilda Price, moving across the world has been a significant part of her life. Her journey is defined by change and an interest in the world around her. Home has been considered in many places for her, including England, France, Canada, Switzerland, and Pennsylvania. Each new place gave her new perspectives on life. She’s spent her life traveling, learning new languages, and experiencing new cultures firsthand.
Matilda’s international journey began in England, where she was born and granted citizenship. She spent her early years in Canada before moving several times, eventually ending up in the United States. “I lived in England, France, Canada, Indiana state, Pennsylvania, then Switzerland, and then back to Pennsylvania,” said Matilda. Today, she holds dual citizenship in both England and Canada.
While living in Pennsylvania, Matilda attended Mountain View Elementary School until halfway through fourth grade, when her family decided to make the move to Switzerland. The move was due to her father’s job of managing plants for the global Kennametal. While this big move seemed intimidating at such a young age, she learned to love Switzerland. During her time there, Matilda attended a primary school and secondary school, which are comparable to elementary and high school in the United States, though the learning programs differ.
After about four years, Matilda’s family made the move back to the United States. She returned just in time to begin high school in the same school district. Adjusting to new schools was challenging, Matilda says the hardest part of moving was making new friends. “It can feel really lonely,” said Price. “Everyone already has their friend groups, and you don’t really know people’s character or how they interact. Even simple things, like how people talk or joke, are different in each culture,” said Price.
After returning to Pennsylvania, Matilda continues to visit Switzerland each year. She gets to visit her best friend, Sarah Mann, who still lives in Switzerland. Despite the distance, their relationship remains strong, after months of FaceTime calls and lots of texts.
“Being back in Switzerland is freeing,” said Matilda. “My favorite memories are from going city to city with my friends and floating in the Rhine River,” said Matilda. Those moments, surrounded by culture and connection, remind her how much her time abroad has shaped who she is today.
Getting to experience different cultures, cities, and independence at such a young age helped Matilda see the world from new perspectives. “I think it changed my life because I traveled so much. Whenever I lived in different places, they opened my eyes to another side of life. It helped me be able to globally connect with people and engage in multicultural conversations,” said Matilda.
Her global experiences inspired her to pursue a career as an international lawyer, someone who advocates for clients whose legal issues cross national borders. “I’m very interested in the advocacy for social injustice, and I think giving a voice to those who are marginalized in society is so important,” said Matilda. Her goal is to use her voice and experiences to create a lasting impact. “I think everyone deserves equal rights, and I want to be the one to promote that,” said Matilda.
Matilda applied to multiple schools across the globe to continue her education after high school. She’s looking at schools in Europe, Canada, and the United States. “I don’t really know where my top one is. I’m thinking I’ll probably end up back in Europe, I love it so much there,” said Matilda. Even though she’s not entirely sure where she’ll end up yet, she knows she wants to be a voice of change for the people, to stand up for everyone’s human rights.
No matter where her journey takes her, Matilda’s experiences around the world have shaped who she is. Her travels have taught her compassion and courage. These are qualities that will carry over into her career dedicated to justice.
