tutu51595
Nov 10, 2012
Undergraduate / 'Malaria' -Common app essay - experience at a Nigerian hospital which changed my life [6]
500 word max (this is exactly 500)
prompt: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
The summer of my freshmen year, I followed Dr. Akin around for a few weeks at Royan Hospital in Lagos Nigeria. We saw numerous patients but there was one that I will never forget.
As we walked into the hospital room, my eyes met a young girl, around my age, sitting on the examination table. As the adults spoke, the girl sat motionlessly then all of a sudden, she glanced over at me and began to cry.
After we left the room Dr. Akin told me the girl, Bola, had a bacterial infection called Actinomycosis, but due to poor conditions her village, she also had Cerebral Malaria. "Sadly, she wont be able to go back to school," he said. "She was an exceptional student. In her home there is an entire cabinet dedicated solely to her awards and certificates, everything from music to science. I have met many talented students but she was truly gifted. She would have accomplished extraordinary things."
Would have. Those words burned deeply in my mind the entire summer. Why did it have to be would have? This young girl could have grownup to be something great; if only she lived in a better environment, if only she lived the life I lived. Bola was undoubtedly upset that day I met her; however, I believe the reason she began to cry so suddenly when she looked at me, was because I reminded her of herself, or rather, I reminded her of who she used to be.
For the first time I realized just how lucky I was to live in the United States, but still my heart ached for Bola. Two days later, my family and I left Lagos, Nigeria, for the long journey back to the good ol' U. S. of A. While on the plane, I thought of her and how she had aspirations just like me, but had them all ripped away in that hospital room. I realized that with good health, knowledge, and dedication I had the whole world in the palm of my hand, just waiting for me to make a move. So somewhere over the Atlantic ocean, at 30,000 feet, I decided I would become a doctor. I would dedicate my life to every person who ever had their dreams crushed in a hospital room.
It truly pains me to know that there are children all over the world who will never get a chance to experience the wonders of their childhood. I strongly believe that everyone, especially children, deserve a beautiful life and sickness should never hold anyone back from their full potential. I pursue a career in healthcare because I desire more than anything, to create a better future by saving lives and saving dreams in the special way only healthcare professionals can. I have worked extra hard all through high school to achieve this noble dream and I know that with hard work and the memory of that poor girl, my dream will become reality.
500 word max (this is exactly 500)
prompt: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
The summer of my freshmen year, I followed Dr. Akin around for a few weeks at Royan Hospital in Lagos Nigeria. We saw numerous patients but there was one that I will never forget.
As we walked into the hospital room, my eyes met a young girl, around my age, sitting on the examination table. As the adults spoke, the girl sat motionlessly then all of a sudden, she glanced over at me and began to cry.
After we left the room Dr. Akin told me the girl, Bola, had a bacterial infection called Actinomycosis, but due to poor conditions her village, she also had Cerebral Malaria. "Sadly, she wont be able to go back to school," he said. "She was an exceptional student. In her home there is an entire cabinet dedicated solely to her awards and certificates, everything from music to science. I have met many talented students but she was truly gifted. She would have accomplished extraordinary things."
Would have. Those words burned deeply in my mind the entire summer. Why did it have to be would have? This young girl could have grownup to be something great; if only she lived in a better environment, if only she lived the life I lived. Bola was undoubtedly upset that day I met her; however, I believe the reason she began to cry so suddenly when she looked at me, was because I reminded her of herself, or rather, I reminded her of who she used to be.
For the first time I realized just how lucky I was to live in the United States, but still my heart ached for Bola. Two days later, my family and I left Lagos, Nigeria, for the long journey back to the good ol' U. S. of A. While on the plane, I thought of her and how she had aspirations just like me, but had them all ripped away in that hospital room. I realized that with good health, knowledge, and dedication I had the whole world in the palm of my hand, just waiting for me to make a move. So somewhere over the Atlantic ocean, at 30,000 feet, I decided I would become a doctor. I would dedicate my life to every person who ever had their dreams crushed in a hospital room.
It truly pains me to know that there are children all over the world who will never get a chance to experience the wonders of their childhood. I strongly believe that everyone, especially children, deserve a beautiful life and sickness should never hold anyone back from their full potential. I pursue a career in healthcare because I desire more than anything, to create a better future by saving lives and saving dreams in the special way only healthcare professionals can. I have worked extra hard all through high school to achieve this noble dream and I know that with hard work and the memory of that poor girl, my dream will become reality.