Undergraduate / Application: A.P.A.C - Organization I've participated in outside of my cultural group [2]

Briefly discuss an activity or organization that you have participated in, or are currently participating in, outside of your own cultural group.

For most of my life, cultural differences were not something that I'd ever paid much attention to. I learned about them in some of my classes but they were never really something that I'd experienced firsthand. However, this all changed when I met a boy named Sangjun Kim.

Sangjun, or "June" as I called him, was a foreign exchange student from Korea. I walked into my marketing class one day to find him sitting in the seat next to mine. I introduced myself as I figured he was a new student and I would probably be sitting next to him all year long.

As days went by, we began to talk more and more. I began to get used to his strong Korean accent and mediocre English. Many of the things that he taught me had to do with the Asian culture and I really saw how different it was from the American. I found out that June hadn't really made any friends yet and was having a hard time making them, so I took him to the one place in our school that I knew he'd fit in: the Asian Pacific American Club (A.P.A.C.).

I walked in the room of the club with him and saw not only excitement, but also surprise spread across his face at first glance of the room. "I never realized there were so many Asians here at your school!" he had told me. Upon sensing his nervousness, I ended up staying the whole time with him, although I felt very out of place being only one of two non-Asian attendees. I wasn't treated any differently because of this, though. Everyone in the club was very welcoming.

I continued to attend A.P.A.C. regularly and made many friends, had a lot of fun, and learned many things about a different culture. Both A.P.A.C. and June really opened my eyes to culture differences. I now see the problems that other cultures, such as Asians, face living here in the United States that I'd never seen before. I have learned great respect for how they deal with and overcome them.

I believe that this knowledge and experience has taught me to really appreciate diversity. As the world continues to become a global economy, diversity is more present now than ever. Valuing diversity is critical in order to be successful.

Undergraduate / Commonapp Essay: How my mom has influenced me [3]

Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

I'm sure that this is not the most surprising or unique response, but when thinking of the person who has had the most significant influence on me, the name comes quickly: Mom. She hasn't had a significant influence on me simply because she raised me, but because of the circumstances she did it under and the things that she taught me along the way.

To put it simply, my mom is truly the most amazing woman I have ever met. She is always selfless, helpful, caring, and above all, loving. She has had some incredible setbacks in her life and one would never guess all that she has been through. No matter what was happening in her life, whether it was struggling to live on her own at a very young age, her parent's divorce, another job loss, or her own divorce; she always put others first and she never let anything get her down.

My mom lives by many great life quotes, some of which are even her own. These quotes all have played a major role in making me who I am today and continue to have a notable influence in my life.

"Be the star of your own life." I began hearing this quote when I was very young. It's what taught me to be independent, to follow my dreams, and to always do what I think is right. This is very significant because as a child and as a teenager, being a leader and being independent isn't always the easiest thing.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." This quote started as I got a little bit older and began to find out who I really was. It's what changed my career goals from being in the fashion industry to being in the medical field and it's what got me involved with doing and enjoying volunteer work in my community. In addition, it helped me to realize that I can't always be reliant on other people. If there's anything I want done, I need to be the person to do it.

"After the darkest storms come the brightest rainbows." This is a quote that came about after I faced a major setback in my life; my parent's divorce. My mom told me this repeatedly through the divorce and many times after, and it's a quote that I'll remember all my life and will help me overcome setbacks that I experience. I'll always know that no matter what I go through in life, I'll be able to deal with it and I'll most likely be better off in the end.

Overall, I owe a great deal of who I am today to my mom. In me, my mom has instilled an appetite for life and a passion that makes me want to do more, be more, cherish every single moment, and live my life to the fullest. I am a stronger person because of my mom, because through all of her struggles and hardships, she has never given up on hope for a better life. Even when a better life seems to be impossible, or hope seems to be a cloud on a distant horizon, my mom has sacrificed everything to show me what dedication and desire can earn in life. Now is my time to make use of everything that she has taught me and to really make her proud.