Undergraduate / 'I went to a French school' - UC, Where you come from and your world. [3]

Could you review my essay please? I am not sure if I am answering the question completely, as I know the personal statement prompts have questions within the question.

If you notice any english mistakes, please tell me! Any help is much appreciated.
The prompt is: 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.

Thank you!

PS: Also, do you have any tips for my final sentence? I am questioning my wording..

The pilot announced the plane's takeoff. I looked out the window, starring at what I had once called home. As the plane launched into the air, I spotted the Eiffel Tower and watched it shrink until I could no longer see it. At that time, I truly did not realize the change I was about to face in my life. A new culture, school, home, language... It was all beyond the 8-year old that I was.

However, I quickly learned that life is all about change. When we moved, my parents and I worked together to adapt to our new lifestyle. We arrived in the middle of my 3rd year of elementary school. I first went to a French school for a year and a half. However, I transferred into a small Lutheran school in 5th grade. This is where change truly began for me. I was finally introduced to America's ideals, language, kids, and so on. My parents encouraged me to get involved in extra-curricular activities and to get a taste of everything life offered. They taught me how to work hard, and to make the most out the things I decided to do.

I remained in that school until 8th grade. By that time, I had made it up to varsity band in playing the flute, joined the volleyball and basketball teams, and won 3 of the 4 school spelling bees I had participated in. The world I grew up in is one of motivation. Due to this, I maintained an honor roll throughout middle school and succeeded in being accepted into fairly selective high school.

Moving from Paris to Los Angeles entirely shaped my life. It popped that comforting bubble a lot of us live in. I got a glimpse of the outside world, and was given the key to open all of these doors the United States offers us. If my parents hadn't decided to move, chances are I would not be bilingual, nor would I attend an American university! I would not be the fulfilled person I am today, with the hopes of building a successful career in the future.

Now has come the time in my life to choose which door I will open with this key I was given. I have chosen the one that leads to the University of California. I believe the world I grew up in gave me what it takes to turn that key and succeed in a hard working environment like that of this university's.