I'm Leyla Sanders, and I’m passionate about learning, staying active, traveling, writing, and finding new ways to grow. I believe the best investment you can make is in yourself, which is why I'm always looking for opportunities to learn—whether through mentors, books, LinkedIn, or new experiences. I also love experiencing new things, from beautiful cities to other cultures to adventurous activities. 

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I grew up with an American mom and a Dutch dad, so I learned to speak both English and Dutch from a very young age. We were fortunate to make yearly trips to visit my extended family in the Netherlands, so I have experienced and learned about the Dutch culture my entire life. I love how tall Dutch people are, how practical they are, and how they play soccer. The Dutch have one my favorite snacks of all time as well—borrelnoten!

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Currently, I’m a student at Seton Hall University, and I’m also a Division 1 soccer player there. Soccer has always been an important part of my life. It has shaped me into the driven, organized, and resilient person I am today, and taught me the value of discipline, hard work, and consistency, both on and off the field.

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Outside of school, soccer, and work, you'll usually find me with a coffee in hand, planning my next trip, spending time at the beach, writing, taking pictures, tackling the daily Wordle, or rewatching my favorite movie or show.

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I also enjoy meeting new people and getting to know them through meaningful conversations. If we have the chance to meet, ask me about coffee, travel, my favorite book, It Ends with Us (or any Colleen Hoover book), music, or why Top Gun: Maverick is the greatest movie ever made!