1. One of the fascinating qualities of Grinnell College is the diversity of its student body. Grinnell students come from around the world and from innumerable socioeconomic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. What place, people, or culture would you like to get to know better and why? (Approximately 250 words)
The clock struck 12:00 am; nine bell chimes resonated throughout the night. I was a child back then, but I knew it was that time of the month. My heart started to race and my face flushed with color. I would sit at the bottom of the stairs gazing at my mother's ritualistic traditions around the corner of the steps. She did not mind. At the altar, bowls of rice in every shade of color imaginable, freshly plucked fruits, and succulent slabs of meat would be laid out with such meticulousness; it was alluring. In front of the golden Buddha statue, my mother would fall on her knees, gracefully and bow: praying for good fortune and everlasting life for her family. She susurrus,
"Ban phĆ°á»›c cho há»."
-- Bless them.
I have always had a curious eye for other culture, but none more than my own. Growing up, I embraced the American culture more than that of my parents. They wanted to raise me as an American so that I could fit into the social norms that society dictates. Although I do not question my mother's parenting styles, I'm left with a hollow space inside, yearning to discover my roots. I am opposite of my parents in every way. They communicate assertively while I am passive-aggressive; my voice is thundering in each spoken sentence and their voices are soft and soothing. There are a wide number of cultures I would love to learn and explore, but before I can learn from other cultures, I must understand myself. I don't know how to end it. Any suggestions? Thanks. I know I want to end it with the sentence below. However, I am just not sure what else I should say. Help. Thanks!
I eagerly wait for the clock to strike 12:00 am once more.
First things first. You need to mention the nationality of your parents. Where did your family originally come from? I think you are Vietnamese? You need to state that because it ties in directly with the question about
What place, people, or culture would you like to get to know better and why?
Seriously, I would like you to start off your essay with what is now you last paragraph because it has the hook that is very much interesting and compelling to read. There are many lost cultures and traditions in the U.S. these days so your saying that you want to get to know the roots of your parents is quite interesting to discover. Not all children of other nationality parents are interested in getting to know their roots as they see themselves more American than anything else. So your response is quite refreshing. Now, for the scenario that you set up with your mother praying before Buddha, try to tie that into one of the reasons that you want to understand your mother culture when your parents would rather not. Perhaps mentioning that getting to know the roots of your parents will help enhance your relationship with them will better improve your relationship with them and help you understand their eccentricities and difference from you. These are just some ideas that I have running in my head at the moment that I hope can help you complete and improve your current essay :-)
