Undergraduate / UC Prompt #1 Being Iranian-American [5]

Hey Guys so, Prompt #1 Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

**I am not very confident in my writing so please dont be afraid to critique harshly! I really need it lol

Growing up with Iranian born parents, I have learned to accept my family and my heritage. When asked what nationality I am, I proudly and confidently respond, " Iranian". Being an Iranian-American citizen I am honored to say my heritage has molded who I am as a person in many ways.

Every Saturday for 10 years my mom would take me to Oakland to the Islamic Center to teach farsi and the culture of Iran to young kids like me. I naturally picked up farsi as my second language and soon at the age of six I became completely fluent. Throughout my life I have been involved with this Islamic Center with my mother. Ever since the start of high school I volunteer, every Saturday at the very same Islamic Center and help kids fathom who they are and to be proud of what they represent.

With that being said, being a muslim and Iranian-American in our society today can be very ignominious. With countless controversies in the news everyday about what a muslim man said or did or what new threat Iran had dished out. Life as you can imagine was very difficult in the sense that I could not stop others from judging me or my heritage. Over the years I have developed a thick skin towards people who wish not to think before they speak. Being labeled as a "terrorist" by kids who were apparently my 'friends' to me was the hardest part. I could deal with the look kids/parents/teachers gave me when I told them I am muslim. However, to have your friends of 11 years judge and label you as if you were some kind of alien that is something I could not deal with.

Just because I could not stop their judging did not mean I couldn't try. Sophmore more year of high school, was emotionally the worst year of my highschool career. It was in that year where a light went off in my head, create a club! Despite stereotype that clubs were "lame" I was determined to make a club in an attempt to explain my heritage/religion as long with others.

That club was, R.I.C.E, religions in complete equality. When petitioning for the club to be approved many students and even teachers told me that I was delusional. Soon word spread about my club and I had more than enough signatures for a club. Whether the club was a success or not it made no difference to me. I stood out and put myself on the line to make this idea a real life club.

The Culture of Iran and religion of Islam have molded me into the young man I am today. Before every varsity soccer game I stand with the palms of hands facing towards me as if I am reading the Quran, and pray. My fellow teammates realize that this is my time of serenity and not only understand why but accept it.

In the future, as an aspiring International Buisness major I would like to incorporate my Iranian heritage to my line of work. With the hopes of bringing awareness to other Iranian and muslim americans.

Undergraduate / 'Farsi and Iranian-American citizens' - University of Washington Essay [2]

**Hey guys please help with my essay, be as critical as you want...I need all the help I can get**

university of washington essay -max 500 words promt number 1

1.The University of Washington seeks to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. How would you contribute to this community?

When Mbarack was asked about what is culture? He simply said, " It is the acquired pair of glasses through which we see life." My culture is of middle eastern descent, I come from a low-middle class first generation family who moved from the beautiful country of Iran for the 'american dream'. My "glasses" are the colors of Iran, red,green and white. With such a diverse heritage, I relish of the opportunity to be educated in someone else's cultural background.

My background has truly devolved who I am today. In my home only one language is spoken,Farsi. Being completely fluent in Farsi and also the ability to read the holy language of Arabic, I am able to relate to a vast majority of people. While also being a Muslim Iranian-American citizen, I am able to bring a completely different aspect of life and traditions to the University of Washington community.. With an annual income of under $26,000 and a family of six, life was very hectic and busy. I have not went one month in my high school career without a paying job. At times I would have to juggle two jobs, varsity soccer, and maintaining an acceptable grade point average. I come from a part of life where nothing is given, everything has to be earned. With the money that I've earned, nearly all of it went to my struggling parents to cover the household expenses. With this experience that life has given me, I can empathize with other students from harsh economical backgrounds; due to the fact that I am going through what they are also going through.

While in high school I had a desire to be enriched in different cultures that a simple high school history class could not provide. That is a strong reason why I decided to create the club, R.I.C.E.; religions/races in complete equality. It was in this club where I was a student in subject of world culture. In the club we had students from all types of different backgrounds. We had students from India and learned about Diwali, and also a student who recently came from working on rice paddies in the Philippines to follow his parents to America to pursue their dreams.

This desire of cultural enrichment has lead to the aspiration to study philosophy and political science because I am striving to claim a better understanding of why my homeland of Iran has continued to fall under the influence of war, and how to relieve Iran from inhumane conflicts.