Essay Topic: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
I've matured and grown in so many transformational ways since I first set foot on American soil on February of 2000. I was an eight year old girl thrown into an unfamiliar setting, forced to learn and adapt into a distinct culture very quickly. Mastering a new language, advancing to American teaching standards, and learning new concepts were a few of the challenges I faced as an immigrant from Ethiopia. I didn't realize it then, but this "vacation" was going to be an adventure that would change not only my life as I knew it, but also my life to come.
As soon as I started school, it became apparent to me that I needed more academic support than my peers, and I had to work harder to accomplish the same things that they did. Although I excelled in my mathematics classes, Social Studies, Reading, and, of course, English became my weak points. I was quickly admitted into an ESL class with the rest of the non-English speaking students, almost all of whom were Hispanic. The language barrier between my Spanish-speaking ESL teacher and me made it challenging to learn English. When the teacher would explain a concept to the class in Spanish, I would often miss out on important lessons. However, I was a quick learner, and more importantly, dedicated to be on the same academic level as my peers and motivated to learn the English language. So with persistence and hard work, I overcame the endeavor, and I was out of ESL classes within a year. Because I was still not an expert on the English language, school continued to be challenging for a few more years, but I knew that if I set goals and pursued them, I could accomplish anything.
One of the most memorable experiences of my childhood was in Mrs. Koch's third grade math class at Walnut Hill Elementary. Mrs. Koch had asked me to hand her the purse across the classroom. Still an amateur at the English language, I hadn't yet been introduced to the word "purse". Afraid to ask, I nonchalantly walked towards where Mrs. Koch had pointed to and grabbed the closest thing to what I thought a "purse" was. "This?" I innocently asked. "No, dear, my purse," Mrs. Koch replied. Feeling defeated and unsure of what to do, I nervously paced around the classroom in hopes of finding whatever this "purse" was. Mrs. Koch soon realized I was having trouble and guided me to the counter where the purse was placed.
The reason as to why I still remember that seemingly insignificant event in my childhood is unclear to me. However, years later, I reminisce on that experience and, I'm reminded about the lengths I've come, the obstacles I've conquered, and as a result, the achievements I've gained. I realized that no matter how unreachable my goals may seem and how far my destination may be, perseverance and determination will always get me there. Now that I had the secret to reaching my goals, I had to figure out what I would do with the most important resource America has given me, education.
Before I knew it, I graduated from sixth grade and was on my way to middle school. I was accepted to one of the top magnet schools in Dallas, H.W. Longfellow Career Academy. During the two years I spent at Longfellow, I found my passion in life to be healthcare. I was drawn to this field because the idea of saving lives greatly appealed to me. Being able to work in a profession that allows me to interact with others, make valuable health discoveries, and help people feel better is a dream of mine. But that is not enough for me. My main goal is to earn a college degree, become a successful physician, and move back to Ethiopia to build hospitals all around the many poverty-stricken areas. My parents initially moved us here so we can have the opportunity to become educated and successful human beings, but what kind of human would I be if I didn't give back to the community that raised me?
Many people in Ethiopia, including my own family, are exposed to diseases that could be fatal if not correctly treated. In America, treating a small sickness such as the flu is as easy as going to the grocery store and choosing from a variety of medicines. In Ethiopia, however, resources are limited and very expensive for most, so people die as a result of not having simple remedies we, in America, take for granted. It is my ambition to eradicate this problem by offering low cost healthcare services as well medicines to the poor communities in Ethiopia.
Moving to America has taught me that I should be thankful for being able to get up in the morning from a comfortable bed and wake up to a variety of foods practically being served to me. Some people in Ethiopia don't even have the luxury of accessing a clean toilet, something that I take for granted everyday. The countless sacrifices my parents have made to bring me to where I am today and the hurdles I've had to overcome as a young immigrant from Ethiopia will all be worth it, because I will use the resources America has given me to make a difference.
Any suggestions?
thanks in advance! =)
