Undergraduate / Is it one's surroundings or one's history that creates their identity?- own topic [3]

Is it one's surroundings or one's history that creates their identity?
It's the days when I am surrounded by cars, buses and the occasional cow, manically trying to maneuver themselves between each other that I sit back and think, "Wow I actually live in India." After three years in this country it still comes as a surprise to me.

Even though I live in a country where Indian culture is everywhere, whether it is blaring from stereos or staring me in the face as I drive past a billboard, it's ironic how I have never felt more African. I feel that my experiences of being an expatriate in India have allowed me to embrace, not only the cultures of others, but of my own country.

I previously believed that my history defines me but now I understand that history has become less of a factor in determining my identity and my surroundings have become more influential.

If I had stayed in South Africa, my country's history of racial segregation would have molded my character rather than the country itself, the country after freedom was attained. In South Africa, I was racially defined as an Indian and I am glad to say that in India I have no race label. I am South African, it is not my race but my nationality; it does not define me but influences the choices I make. During Apartheid, I would have had to declare my race as an Indian. I would have been expected to perform the roles of an Indian in society but I am a part of the generation who escaped the regime. I am a part of the generation that can say "I am free and I have always been free."

Even though I establish myself less with the Indian culture, I have not completely dismissed my background. I still think of my grandmother as I see a Hanuman statue being built near a temple; I still remember the prayers my family performed during religious holidays as I overhear devout chanting.

I do not think I will ever be able to define myself through one identity but I do believe that I am made up of various cultures, the predominant one being African as a result of my current experiences. I may find myself being composed of another culture as I progress through life but I believe that finding an identity is a lifelong journey.

Undergraduate / "inspired learners and responsible global citizens" - Boston Uni Supplement [3]

So i am running out of things to talk about. if you can help me that would be much appreciated. it is now at 233 words. if you could please help me more with content rather than grammar.

Prompt: Given what you know about Boston University, what do you hope to accomplish as an undergraduate here? Please respond in an essay of no more than 500 words.

One of the aims of my high school is to create "inspired learners and responsible global citizens" and my plan as a university student is to achieve that. I have been inspired by many things, most of which have come as a result of being an international student. Issues such as the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo have resonated with me to such a degree that I plan to help women and children in this area. I believe that the many research opportunities provided to undergraduates by the professors in Boston University would be beneficial in helping me understand certain issues that pertain to my future area of work as a psychologist. The many community service clubs that are offered by the university would allow me to familiarize myself with working with others, more so than I have in the past. Service clubs, such as the UNICEF Campus Initiative, which model themselves on NGOs would also be advantageous to me as I plan to work for an organization such as Doctors without Borders or International Medical Corps once I have completed my degree. Boston University's large size would allow me to undertake many courses which interest me even if they do not necessarily pertain to my major, which would be psychology. I have come to know that the career centre is helpful in helping students locate internships which would suit their major and career plan, even though I have already completed an internship at a psychology house in India, I know that gaining further experience would be beneficial to me as a learner. Because diversity is so important to me, the study abroad program would be advantageous to me. I would be able to experience various cultures firsthand in countries I had never visited before as opposed to meeting people from different countries as I did before in my international school. The Dual Degree program also appeals to me as I would most likely undertake another degree to study alongside psychology, something that would allow me to understand certain aspects of war, government and internal conflicts such as a Political Science and Government degree. Of all that I want to accomplish as a university student, the most important to me is to have a memorable experience and I believe that being a part of the Boston University community, I will be able to achieve this goal. With the university placed in Boston, there is so much to experience and appreciate from the arts to the history of the city that I doubt I would ever run out of things to do and see, after I have finished my course work, of course.

Undergraduate / GWU Essay - Diversity, International City - What attracted you to the university [2]

my response needs to be 500 words but right now all i have is 336 words. please check for content, language and grammar.

Prompt: Attach an essay of no more than 500 words indicating what most influenced you to apply to The George Washington University (required of all applicants).

Response:
In the summer of 2009, I came across a documentary that explored the impacts of war on the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was apparent that these women were not given any psychological aid and it was at this moment that I knew that I wanted to become a certified clinical psychologist and that I wanted to work for a non-governmental organization such as Doctors without Borders or International Medical Corps. In order to pursue these plans of mine, I knew I had to attend a university that would not only have the resources that would further my education but would also be placed in a city that would provide services that would benefit me. I first became interested in George Washington University after speaking to a graduate of my school who had just completed her first year at GWU. I delved deeper by visiting the GWU Website where I found that the university offers many community service clubs which model themselves on NGOs such as Global Aid, LLC. Working in a club such as this one would allow me to familiarize myself with working with others, more so than I have in the past. I had always known that I would study in a university that was at the heart of its city, much like GWU is. Locals have described the city as a "big town, small city" and this is the atmosphere that attracts me. I like being able to find my way around a city without going into completely unknown territory while still living in a metropolitan area. I know that because the university is located in Washington, DC, there are many internship opportunities that would aid me in pursuing psychology as a major. Coming from an international school, being a part of a diverse community is very important to me. I know that I would be happy living in a city such as Washington D.C. as it is very diverse, being the capital of the United States of America.