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Hello everyone.
Can anybody read my personal statement and give feedback? Any help is appreciated!
Prompt #1
Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
I've always believed that the environment is what determines a person's personalities and qualities, both good and bad. By using the word "environment", I don't mean the place where the person lives. Contrarily, the environment which shapes a person is made up of words and behaviors from people around him. In China, we have an old saying that summarizes this concept – "one who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black".
I consider myself one of the "lucky" ones because I've always been able to stay near good vermilion, my parents. Even though my mother used to get angry with me very often, but she always did it for my good. Whenever I watched TV or read comic books without completing my homework, my mother would tell me to do my homework first then do other things. I obeyed most of the time, but sometimes I rebelled and she would get mad and make me obey anyway. Slowly, I rebelled less and the thought of prioritizing became a natural part of me. I would finish what's most important first without anyone telling me to do so.
My father also had a great impact on me. He is one of the most hardworking people I've ever met. Back in China, when he was young and ambitious, he was ready to establish his own road of success. However, all of a sudden, he was assigned to work at a small village just because he didn't have any relations with those who had power. Despite all this bad news, he was determined, from the first day he arrived at the village, to climb out of that hellhole. He did indeed, and even higher than people who had a head start, into the land of America. Now that he has given me a head start than many people, to be able to get educated in this great country, I wouldn't waste it. I would use this opportunity as a stepping stone to reach places that my father never reached and altitudes where only a few can get to.
School also played a big part as one aspect of my environment. One thing I noticed about Chinese kids including me is that they are mostly shy but academically superior. In my opinion, Chinese schools are only capable of producing intelligent cowards. I am a victim of that flawed school system myself. I used to be a very shy person, who gets nervous just by talking to strangers. To be honest, sometimes I still have that problem, but it's a lot better now thanks to my new schools here in America. Since the first day I arrived here, I've changed, a lot. Back when I was studying in China, my teachers wanted nothing from you but good grades and good grades. That sure shaped me into an excellent student who always gets A's, but it also prevented me from obtaining any other qualities, such as confidence, creativity, and optimism. I hated school. Luckily, I was able to study in a new and better environment which encourages all of the above plus many more. Here in America, we have presentations, projects, and interactive activities, things that are unimaginable to a Chinese student. I still remember how hard my hands were shaking when I was presenting my first project back in middle school, but now I do it with ease and sometimes I even make jokes while doing it. I am now more confident than ever and enjoying my senior year at my high school.
My world shaped me into who I am now and what I might become. My parents taught me hardworking, prioritizing, tolerance, and patience. Besides knowledge and skills, my schools taught me confidence, team spirit, creativeness, and friendliness. With the help of these qualities that I now possess, I will continue to pursue my dream and down the career pathway linking me and who I want to be.
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