Undergraduate / 'Special Friends program' - Common App- Extracurricular Activity [2]

Can someone help me? I'm not sure if I'm doing this right...

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum).

Special Friends is a program offered to elementary students in need of emotional support. Last year, this program connected me to a second grader named Anna. Once a week, we met after school, slowly developing a friendship. Although her mother has battled cancer, Anna shows no signs of weakness. Giggling, we often made up dances to her favorite Justin Bieber songs. Whether playing games or gushing over boys, our time together was always lighthearted. When asked if I would like to work with Anna again this year, I said yes without hesitation. Although I sought out to be a positive influence in her life, I feel as though our roles have reversed. Seeing such resilience in someone so young inspires me to stay strong.

Undergraduate / 'When the word "Spain" is mentioned' - a significant experience, achievement, risk [NEW]

CRITIQUE ME!! I want to make this essay as strong as possible. PLEASE pick on me!!

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

Lying in bed, I catch a glimpse of a faint outline on my wall: a hand-painted fan that I bought while in Cadiz, Spain. It's nothing special, but the intricate floral design transports me back to that summer, vacationing on the Mediterranean Sea with my host family. Locked in its bright yellows and reds are the memories that will last me a lifetime.

Almost immediately upon boarding that US Airways flight, I was overcome with emotion. It was a moment full of such anticipation, anxiety, and excitement. That summer before my junior year, I surprised everyone-myself, included-by participating in the Rotary International Youth Exchange program. Previously, I was very quiet, always shying away from anything potentially dangerous. For some inexplicable reason, in my heart I felt that this was a risk I needed to take.

During this unparalleled opportunity, I was able to explore the cultural aspects of Spain that are unteachable in a classroom setting. For example, on one of my first nights, my host sister and her friends took me to see the Twilight Saga: Eclipse. I had seen the film before I left for my trip and, although the film was dubbed en espańol, I did my best to enjoy it. The fact that I only caught every other word was irrelevant. At that moment, I found myself able to contribute to a sisterhood-to laugh, to cry, to stare in awe. I didn't feel like an American on a foreign exchange. I was just another twilight-obsessed teenager seeing the movie with her friends, eating las chocolates and giggling during the shirtless scenes. It wasn't about what my Spanish friends were teaching me or what I was introducing into their lives. That night, I was able to partake in an international phenomenon, joining in on the shouts of "te amo, Jacob!" and "ay dios mío, Edward!" We shared a common bond, intertwining our lives in a way that made perfect sense. A language that we all understood: teenage girl.

There is a Spanish adage that says "lo que en los libros no está, la vida te enseńará." This translates to "that which is not in books, life will teach you." Expressions like this have always resonated with me, but this one seemed to be a contradiction. After my summer abroad, however, I finally understood. Everything that I was introduced to that summer-la comida, la musica, las personas de Espańa-made me feel as though I was connected to a global community. Something about cooking la paella with my host mother inspired a desperate urge within me to absorb the culture. Likewise, visiting la Alhambra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, sparked my interest in European history. Saying goodbye to friends I had grown to love, however, evoked tears.

Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can still hear the ocean waves crashing and falling on el Costa de la Luz during my last trip down to the beach. Looking out over the horizon with my host sister, the unspoken realization that I would be returning to "my half" of the world loomed in the salty air...

When I allow my eyes to flutter back open, I see that hand-painted fan. It's something concrete, representing the vivid images that filled my mind and engulfed my heart moments before. Fusing different cultures together-and thinking of the world as a global community-is the first step in understanding our world, today. When the word "Spain" is mentioned in conversation, my thoughts drift back to that time in my life: experiencing homesickness for the first time, holding Euros in my hand, and being called morena. The fact that we all spoke different languages was insignificant. Saying goodbye to my host family at el aeropuerto, our embrace represented more than just a departure. It was an international bond, bridging the gap over the Atlantic. In that way, a piece of my heart will always long for a multinational connection.

Undergraduate / 'population/theatre scene/foods' -Why NYU? 'Les Miserables by Victor Hugo'-Intriguing [3]

Why NYU?
It has been said that NYU is a university "in and of the city." From co-ops and internships, to cultural and religious diversity, NYU's location in the heart of downtown Manhattan provides endless educational opportunities that other schools cannot offer. For example, the Gallatin School of Individualized Studies is a program that I have yet to see offered by another university. By designing a unique major, there is a degree of self-direction that is very liberating. The fact that NYU Gallatin provides its students with the freedom of choice while creating a major is invigorating. City life is something that has always attracted me. In contrast to my suburban background, a location such as New York City would allow me to take advantage of an endless stream of opportunities. The diverse population, compelling theatre scene, and extensive variety of ethnic foods are examples of unparalleled options that a university such as NYU presents to its students. I'm looking for a school that will give me a chance to get fully involved and immerse myself into the rich, cultural setting. I feel it also must be said that when I visited the campus, my tour guide was the funniest person I have ever met. He answered all questions in depth and gave me a clear picture of what my life could be like at NYU. Between the unique opportunities offered to its students and my eagerness to explore them, I feel that the best school for me is New York University.

Regardless of whether or not you have an intended major or concentration, please elaborate on an academic area of interest and how you wish to explore it at NYU's campuses in New York or Abu Dhabi or at one of our global academic centers around the world. Please share any activities or experiences you have had that have cultivated your intellectual interests leading you to choose to study at the NYU campus of your choice.

Ever since my first "Introduction to Spanish" class in fifth grade, I knew that I liked the language. As I progressed in my classes, I fell in love with the captivating culture and customs of places like Spain and Mexico. The people, scenery, and cuisine of Spain are what inspire me to keep going in my Spanish education. Participating in a Rotary Youth Exchange to Cadiz, Spain for a month during the summer before my Junior year definitely solidified my desire to study on an international level. Realizing this about myself, I found an interest in areas of study like International Business and International Relations. NYU provides excellent programs in these concentrations, along with opportunities to further my studies through internships with international companies stationed in New York City. The study abroad choices at NYU would be a rewarding way for me to advance in my major and learn more about the cultures of Spanish-speaking areas such as Ecuador, Chile, and Mexico. I love that studying abroad with NYU won't delay the process of getting a degree, and that students can continue to take classes in portal campuses from NYU professors. I hope that, by attending NYU, I am able to explore my interest in Spanish and learn how to put my passion to use in a field such as International Business.

What intrigues you? Tell us about one work of art, sciences, piece of literature, method of communication, or place in the world (a film, book performance, website, event, location etc.) and explain its significance to you.

Experiencing a performance of _Les Miserables_, based on the book by Victor Hugo, had a profound effect on my life. Entranced by the opera, I found myself completely engrossed by the plot and music. Although my sophomore honors English class had studied the novel, something about seeing the characters portrayed by actors such as Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean) and Samantha Barks (Eponine) made the work much more intriguing. I feel that live theatre affects its audience in ways that books or plays are not capable of doing. The audience is able to interact with the play -- to laugh, to cry, to cheer. After viewing the opera, I noticed a parallel between Valjean's selfless acts of compassion and my background with community service. By learning to love others, Valjean experiences personal growth. Throughout my high school career, I have participated in a community service organization called Interact. During the holiday season, the group donates homemade cookies to the food pantry. Partaking in this project, I realized that even small acts of kindness can unearth smiles. As Valjean loves Cosette like a biological daughter, my connection to Interact continues to strengthen. Simple, selfless actions often create a snowball effect; slowly morphing into something bigger.