Would someone be willing to help me edit my personal history for graduate school application? Thank You!
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I still remember that day - the day when I learned from my parents that I was going to come to the United States of America after I graduated from elementary school. The news came to me as a great shock. I felt the pain in my heart as if someone had stabbed me mercilessly with a knife. I was only eight years old by that time. I crawled into my bed, crying, hoping that it was only a bad dream. "Why telling me so early?" was the question that I wanted to ask my parents but was hid deep inside my heart.
At first, I opposed my parents' decision for sending me to the United States. I was the kind of person who was unwilling to change and would like my life to stay the same. I did not want to move to the United States; I wanted to stay in my own country with my family and friends. I had always thought that if I maintained my good grades and became the top ten students in school, my parents would reconsider their decision. However, I knew it was only an excuse that I made to make me feel better.
The day of graduation finally arrived. At the graduation, I was rewarded a certificate of merit for my outstanding academic achievements and for being the top three student of my class. My mood was complex; it was intertwined with happiness and sorrows. I was glad that I achieved my academic goal, but, at the same time, I was aware that I did not have much time left to spend with my relatives and friends. Soon after the graduation, I moved to the United States of America with my twin sister and my mother. I was filled with anxiety when arriving in a completely new environment. Cultural differences and my poor English had made my stay hard.
The first day of school was sunny and warm, but my heart was gloomy. I felt like a newborn baby who just entered the world. Everything was new to me. I did not know how to use a locker. I used to bring all of the textbooks with me to every class before I knew that I can put them in the locker. I have always thought that perhaps carrying those heavy textbooks that weighed twenty pounds on my back caused me to shrink three inches - that's why I am so short now. I did not know that I had to move on to the next classroom after each period. I was confused when other students got out of the classroom with their backpacks. However, my worries did not last long. I became acquainted with the unfamiliar environment quickly with help from my ESL teacher.
Being a foreign student, I had faced another major problem: language barrier. I often had difficulties doing my homework and understanding the lectures. Moreover, when reading textbooks, I had to translate word by word with my electronic dictionary. I could not go to sleep until it was two or three in the morning; that's why I got "black eyes" that look like a panda. However, knowing that I could not depend on my dictionary all the time, I devoted myself to the study of the English language with continuous effort. Because of my diligence, now I can understand teacher's lectures fully and do not need a dictionary when reading. When I got into high school, I began to take advanced classes. Although the transition from ESL to College Prep English class was difficult, I did not let any setback affect my efforts.
One of the major parts of my academic life is joining student clubs on campus. Before entering university, I was a really shy and naturally reserved person. However, knowing that I could not be like this and live inside my bubble forever, I decided to make a change. To improve my networking ability and invigorate my social life, I joined Taiwanese American Union, a cultural student organization on UCLA campus. Hoping to spread Taiwanese cultural awareness to the entire student body and reinforce our unification in the society, our club is dedicated to preserve Taiwanese heritage and to promote general public's understanding of Taiwanese culture through social and cultural events. Our mission is to represent the Taiwanese community and to strengthen its voice on and beyond the campus. I had helped out in several events such as hosting Taiwanese Night Market, selling a variety of authentic Taiwanese foods and drinks. I also joined backstage committee of Taiwanese Culture Night, a place where students can express their creative talents while allowing students to connect on a social level and simultaneously promote Taiwanese heritage by performing on stage.
Due to the dramatic tuition fee increase in California, I began to do internships and started working as a reader in the Department of Mathematics in UCLA starting in Summer of 2009. The money that I earned from work helped reduce my parent's financial burden in funding of my education. In addition, I have learned to balance school, work, and social activities on my own. My time management skills have also helped me accomplish beyond the academics in university. Furthermore, through my two summer internships in Taiwan, I have learned to communicate ideas effectively with the Taiwanese people. I believe this communication skill will accompany me to graduate school where I will meet and work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Studying abroad also plays an important role in my academic career. I still remember the advice given by the advisor during the orientation: "Get out of here and get lost!" What the advisor meant was for us, the international students, to go out and explore and to meet new people, instead of staying in dorm all the time. The advisor wanted us to travel around, to join a club, and to be positive and open. Travel around can give you lessons that the classroom setting cannot provide. Joining student club give you the chance to interact with Japanese people. The advisor also hoped we can put in efforts to learn Japanese, because knowing the language not only help our living in Japan easier, but also help us acquire deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
One of the main benefits that I got from studying abroad is the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I think the most important thing while studying abroad is to be open-minded - this still holds true when moving to a new country. Cultural difference is unavoidable. When encountering a culture difference, no matter if it's good or bad, I have learned to accept the difference as it was instead of comparing it with home country. It is important for one to acknowledge the differences and learn to move on. By accepting the differences, I have broadened my view of the world.
After I got familiar with the completely foreign environments and improved my English and Japanese language skills, I realized how valuable the experiences of coming to the United States and studying aboard in Japan are. I have experienced different lifestyles and perspectives. It took time to accustom to the differences, but I have come to appreciate the diversity as it has taught me to better understand the others and also allowed me to see the greatness in different cultures. I have noticed that by being willing to appreciate and accept the differences, I have had more fun and success in working with different people.
Growing up in Taiwan, the education I received back then did not encourage creative thinking; students were expected to memorize everything taught and to never question the teacher. I was fortunate enough that my parents had the ability to bring me to the United States to broaden my views and to become a more open-minded thinker. Even though I encountered many difficulties during the process, I have found them to be beneficial to my personal growth. Throughout these years, I have become more independent and mature than I was before.
Moreover, my stay in the United States and Japan has broadened my horizon and boosted my self-confidence. My experiences have taught me that receiving a higher education makes a big difference. I want to become a kind of person that makes the difference. From a naïve girl who knew no English to a competitive student at one of the best universities in the world, I have many interesting experience and stories to share, and I know I can make an impact.
There is a famous saying: "no pain, no gain." My past experiences allow me to recognize and sympathize with the hardships faced by others. They also motivate me to work hard because I know that I am living the dream that many people pursue. If I had withdrawn from facing the difficulties, I would never have reached my success. Now, I understand my parents' intention for sending me to the United States of America; they wanted me to get the opportunity that I could not have got if I stayed in Taiwan. I deeply appreciate that my parents had given me the opportunity to come to the United States and to study abroad in Japan.
