Kai Killer lived in Germany for a couple months when he was 10. The visit was an eye-opening experience for him. “I didn’t really understand the culture or where I fit in. What was strange was that when I eventually came back, I realized I no longer fit into the US either, so I was stuck in the middle.” This shaped how he sees people and through that experience he gained empathy for people who are different and experienced how different people lived their lives. He grew more accepting of different people and his time in Germany showed him how broad the world was. Experiences like this prepared him for challenges in the future.
Possibly one of the hardest decisions in his life was made just a few weeks ago when he was deciding between two different colleges, one was more artistically centered and the other was more intellectually centered. “Oberlin and Reed are places that very much fit my vibe, but in slightly different ways. I essentially had to decide who I wanted to be in the future. I chose Reed, but I’m still wondering if it was the right decision.”
Regular reflection seems to be a theme in Kilker’s life. His main motivation is to strive to be the best that he can be in anything that he does. He also aspires to be a kind, helpful, and overall the best individual. He makes the best out of every experience and tries to find a lesson to take away from it. “I try to be the best I can be because nobody wants to work with an a-hole, but they’ll want to be around you if you’re a normal guy and accepting… It’s that, and trying to be better than I was yesterday.”
Kilker strives for such perfection thanks to the influence of his parents who gifted him with a strong sense of determination and a passion for learning. “I’ve learned so much from them and they’ve influenced me, like I expect most people’s parents have.”
