Undergraduate / From arrogant to understanding - Who has had a impact on your life (My Father) [4]

This prompt is taken from ApplyTexas.org

Write an essay in which you tell us about someone who has made an impact on your life and explain how and why this person is important to you.

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I believe Americans, from early on in their childhood years, are shaped and molded to believe that their country is the best to have ever existed in human history as they are bombarded with biased stories and details describing America's superiority and greatness.

As a four year old incredulous Japanese-Korean immigrant, I fell victim to such mindset, and for some time, I am ashamed to say, I felt superior to those whose tongues were not accustomed to the English Language. I felt great to have the ability to speak the language of the best country in the world.

My dad, fearing my complete Americanization and my loss of heritage, sent me to Korea to learn the language of my ancestors. I attended a Korean middle school for five months where I made lifelong relationships with my fellow Koreans.

Upon my return, I noticed how much easier it was for me to understand and communicate with my father. I felt more connected to him and my perception of him changed immensely. Through communicating with him, I was able to see past the "angry Asian man" image that was commonly associated with my father, and see his great wisdom attained from his amazing life experiences, his infallible humor, and his considerable love for his family.

From then on, my respect for him burgeoned and I began to embrace my once ignored lineage. Through my father, I purged my patronizing attitude toward other immigrants and made effort to get to know their character, life stories, and culture. My father's influence on me allowed me to have a better understanding of other peoples' ways of life and as a result, my social circle now consists of a diverse group of individuals from all regions of the world. I am now more accepting and respectful of others' cultures and I try to examine issues from their perspective before coming up with my own judgments and conclusions. Quintessentially, my father's influence truly made me a better person.

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After rereading this, I realized that my introduction makes me sound anti-American, which was not my intention at all. Could that potentially offend my reader?

Thank you so much!
This website is awesome.

Undergraduate / Prioritizing income, rather than fondness for a job. UT topic B [2]

Topic:

Choose an issue of importance to you-the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope-and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.

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Please tell me:
1) If the content of the paper is relevant/sufficient
2) Improving vocabulary
3) Is it even remotely interesting?
4) What I should improve on
5) Your insight/personal changes on my paper

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I think every person, at one point in his life, has been advised to prioritize fondness for a job rather than on the income accompanied by it. However, my predominant concern is not self satisfaction. It is my ability to provide financial stability and relief, not only for myself, but also for my parents, siblings, and my own children in the future.

Through my observations, I have come to the conclusion that money is indeed one of the major factors in determining an individual's happiness. My beliefs may be considered superficial by most, but from a realist's standpoint, it is a true and valid statement. Our standard of living and quality of life, to some extent, are directly correlated to the amount of material possessions we possess. Of course human aspects, such as family values and social relationships, are other determinants, but there is no doubt that in our society, money is of major significance. Can one truly enjoy life when monetary insufficiency and debt, linger, being a constant source of frustration and stress? In my opinion, no.

Of course I do not mean to say that one should undertake a job he completely despises. After all, that would make him a very, very unhappy individual. Rather, if one were to given the opportunity to decide between a job he really enjoys and a job he does not mind undertaking that pays significantly more, he should choose the latter. For example, in my case, I initially desired a career in the visual arts field, commonly associated with unstable, low-income jobs. But instead, I opted for my second choice, nursing, as it is a reliable source of income and a field I am also quite interested in. I also think this job would be far more meaningful and worthwhile, as saving lives is greatly rewarding.

Also, when I am financially stable, I will have the means to pursue whatever I enjoy, such as art. There are many alternatives.

My primary reason for my preference of higher paying jobs is my desire to provide for my loved ones. I would like to one day thank and repay my parents for nurturing me, providing me with love and support, and for all the wonderful things they have done for me. As the eldest of four, I feel it is my duty to help fund for my three younger brothers' college education. Someday, when I have my own Children, I want to be able to furnish for them, a nice environment, a good education, as well as fun things to do in general. If I can make my parents happy by sending them off on a fancy cruise, relieve my brothers of debt from student loans, and provide necessities and wants for my own children in the future, I am willing to sacrifice my dream job, because their happiness, in return, will be mine.

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Thank you so much everybody!