PROMPT: In the space provided, please write a concise narrative in which you describe a meaningful event, experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the UF campus community. You may want to reflect on your ideas about student responsibility, academic integrity, campus citizenship or a call to service.
Coming from a very diverse background, I like to call where I come from a virtual melting pot. I grew up and to this day live in a multi-faceted life where I am immersed in both a Muslim Sri Lankan culture and a Catholic Salvadorian culture. Given the opportunity to experience many cultures, I have participated in the Islamic tradition of Eid celebrating the end of Ramadan and even a couple of Friday prayers at a mosque. However, Among the many cultural opportunities I cherish, the most impactful was when I went to El Salvador for a month to visit my father's hometown in the lush mountains of Central America; I would say the trip was one of the main factors in shaping who I am now.
I grew up living around my Salvadorian father and family where I learned Spanish fluently and was immersed in the culture, however, no matter how culturally authentic it seemed American culture was still confounding to its authenticity. Because of this I knew my trip would be profound in shaping my perspectives. My family's Adobe style house was perched on the Salvadorian countryside where life was minimal and poverty ran rampant. Objectively one may view the lifestyle as laborious and formulaic, but subjectively one begins to view the lifestyle as minimal yet extremely satisfactory and joyful.
Each day was full of specific duties; one night I would be sent out with my father to hike through the forest to cut down banana leaves to prepare Tamales for dinner. Other days I would help my grandfather sift for mature rice grains and beans, as the two were staples for every meal of the day. I would help with the masa tortillas which were also eaten with every meal. The only preparation I stayed away from was the killing of the chickens, which I unfortunately did encounter on occasion. The experience helped me become a true believer of discipline and moderation as a catalyst to happiness. All the hard work paid off not only with results but with a simple yet satisfactory treat; many times we would hike down to the river sucking freshly chopped wild sugar cane on the way. Their were several wild horses gracefully relaxing and drinking from the river. After a long day of hard work, a dunk in a beauteous river never felt so joyous.
I believe hard work and happiness are mutually inclusive and I reflect this in my academic work and achievements; trying my best and challenging myself academically truly makes me happy and having an affinity toward knowledge and discussion only accelerates my passion. I believe the only thing lacking from the educational environment is passion and University of Florida will benefit from my academic passion for hard-work and helping others. My diverse background has also made me a very accepting and open person, willing to get to know and accept whatever is thrown at me. I believe the University of Florida will benefit from this open-mindedness and diversity.
Coming from a very diverse background, I like to call where I come from a virtual melting pot. I grew up and to this day live in a multi-faceted life where I am immersed in both a Muslim Sri Lankan culture and a Catholic Salvadorian culture. Given the opportunity to experience many cultures, I have participated in the Islamic tradition of Eid celebrating the end of Ramadan and even a couple of Friday prayers at a mosque. However, Among the many cultural opportunities I cherish, the most impactful was when I went to El Salvador for a month to visit my father's hometown in the lush mountains of Central America; I would say the trip was one of the main factors in shaping who I am now.
I grew up living around my Salvadorian father and family where I learned Spanish fluently and was immersed in the culture, however, no matter how culturally authentic it seemed American culture was still confounding to its authenticity. Because of this I knew my trip would be profound in shaping my perspectives. My family's Adobe style house was perched on the Salvadorian countryside where life was minimal and poverty ran rampant. Objectively one may view the lifestyle as laborious and formulaic, but subjectively one begins to view the lifestyle as minimal yet extremely satisfactory and joyful.
Each day was full of specific duties; one night I would be sent out with my father to hike through the forest to cut down banana leaves to prepare Tamales for dinner. Other days I would help my grandfather sift for mature rice grains and beans, as the two were staples for every meal of the day. I would help with the masa tortillas which were also eaten with every meal. The only preparation I stayed away from was the killing of the chickens, which I unfortunately did encounter on occasion. The experience helped me become a true believer of discipline and moderation as a catalyst to happiness. All the hard work paid off not only with results but with a simple yet satisfactory treat; many times we would hike down to the river sucking freshly chopped wild sugar cane on the way. Their were several wild horses gracefully relaxing and drinking from the river. After a long day of hard work, a dunk in a beauteous river never felt so joyous.
I believe hard work and happiness are mutually inclusive and I reflect this in my academic work and achievements; trying my best and challenging myself academically truly makes me happy and having an affinity toward knowledge and discussion only accelerates my passion. I believe the only thing lacking from the educational environment is passion and University of Florida will benefit from my academic passion for hard-work and helping others. My diverse background has also made me a very accepting and open person, willing to get to know and accept whatever is thrown at me. I believe the University of Florida will benefit from this open-mindedness and diversity.