kido
Aug 12, 2013
Undergraduate / I loved science, so I did not concentrate on learning English; UT App- Personal Essay [14]
Essay topic:
E - Personal Essay
Choose an issue of importance to you - the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope - and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.
My Essay:
It was almost three years ago when I came to the U.S. However, I still remember the first days after my flight arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. At that time, I was a student of a science university in Vietnam. I loved science, so I did not concentrate on learning English. Therefore, the first month I spent in the U.S. was the most embarrassing time period I've ever experienced. For instance, the immigration officer in the airport scorned me because I did not understand what he told me. He disrespectfully dragged me to his office to finish my application. I remember what he said to his co-workers: "How can he [me] not speak English at his [my] age?" I will never forget this incident, not because I feel a vindictive hatred for his acts, but because I want to remember the importance of language. This memory has been a motivation for me to study English, as well as all other courses. I do not want people to judge my intelligence or my knowledge based on a lack of fluency in English. Therefore, after I came to the U.S., I immediately registered at Houston Community College and started studying there the next Spring, even though my family wished for me to take time to familiarize myself with the life in the U.S.
The life in the U.S. was very different from the one in Vietnam. For instance, learning to drive was very challenging because I had not driven a car in Vietnam. During the first semester, my lack of basic skills in English also raised difficulties for me in school. I took only two classes in Pre-college Programs to improve my English skills. However, I spent nearly the first semester without improvements because I could not understand what my professor said. I thought the classes I was taking were at higher academic level than what I had accomplished in Vietnam. Accordingly, I decided to take the next semester with full-time classes in the English for Speakers of Other Languages Program, and this was, I think, an appropriate choice. In those classes, there were many students like me who were having trouble with English. I learned how to read, how to do presentation, and most importantly, how to write. Yes, this was the first time I had ever written an essay that was longer than one page and contained more than two paragraphs. After taking those courses, I felt more confident in my English skills and began to focus on classes for my major, Computer Science.
I really enjoy studying in the U.S. The only problem is I have to learn the information in English. I have to explain what I know in English to my professors and my friends during the discussion. Most of professors are very nice when they listen to me. Every time I run into troubles with vocabulary or struggle with explaining an answer, they help me with it. I have to thank them for this. They make me have confidence in myself. However, everything is not as easy when I work in team. My teammates have to be very patient to understand what I say. They usually help me to correct my words. Sometimes, they work with me, but they try to avoid talking to me. These behaviors often discourage me. However, I know that they are just links in my English development, so I ignore their acts. I will never give up because of them.
I know I need more time to improve my English, and I know English is extremely important in my future. Computer Science is not a major which requires people to have a strong communication skills, but in the U.S., English is always a key to success. Computer scientists work in groups most of the time, and having colleagues understand one another is very important. Therefore, learning English is my top priority on the way of becoming a successful scientist. Besides, with good English skills, I can read books and understand the new knowledge quickly and deeply. Languages cannot restrict me in this competitive world.
Essay topic:
E - Personal Essay
Choose an issue of importance to you - the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope - and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.
My Essay:
It was almost three years ago when I came to the U.S. However, I still remember the first days after my flight arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. At that time, I was a student of a science university in Vietnam. I loved science, so I did not concentrate on learning English. Therefore, the first month I spent in the U.S. was the most embarrassing time period I've ever experienced. For instance, the immigration officer in the airport scorned me because I did not understand what he told me. He disrespectfully dragged me to his office to finish my application. I remember what he said to his co-workers: "How can he [me] not speak English at his [my] age?" I will never forget this incident, not because I feel a vindictive hatred for his acts, but because I want to remember the importance of language. This memory has been a motivation for me to study English, as well as all other courses. I do not want people to judge my intelligence or my knowledge based on a lack of fluency in English. Therefore, after I came to the U.S., I immediately registered at Houston Community College and started studying there the next Spring, even though my family wished for me to take time to familiarize myself with the life in the U.S.
The life in the U.S. was very different from the one in Vietnam. For instance, learning to drive was very challenging because I had not driven a car in Vietnam. During the first semester, my lack of basic skills in English also raised difficulties for me in school. I took only two classes in Pre-college Programs to improve my English skills. However, I spent nearly the first semester without improvements because I could not understand what my professor said. I thought the classes I was taking were at higher academic level than what I had accomplished in Vietnam. Accordingly, I decided to take the next semester with full-time classes in the English for Speakers of Other Languages Program, and this was, I think, an appropriate choice. In those classes, there were many students like me who were having trouble with English. I learned how to read, how to do presentation, and most importantly, how to write. Yes, this was the first time I had ever written an essay that was longer than one page and contained more than two paragraphs. After taking those courses, I felt more confident in my English skills and began to focus on classes for my major, Computer Science.
I really enjoy studying in the U.S. The only problem is I have to learn the information in English. I have to explain what I know in English to my professors and my friends during the discussion. Most of professors are very nice when they listen to me. Every time I run into troubles with vocabulary or struggle with explaining an answer, they help me with it. I have to thank them for this. They make me have confidence in myself. However, everything is not as easy when I work in team. My teammates have to be very patient to understand what I say. They usually help me to correct my words. Sometimes, they work with me, but they try to avoid talking to me. These behaviors often discourage me. However, I know that they are just links in my English development, so I ignore their acts. I will never give up because of them.
I know I need more time to improve my English, and I know English is extremely important in my future. Computer Science is not a major which requires people to have a strong communication skills, but in the U.S., English is always a key to success. Computer scientists work in groups most of the time, and having colleagues understand one another is very important. Therefore, learning English is my top priority on the way of becoming a successful scientist. Besides, with good English skills, I can read books and understand the new knowledge quickly and deeply. Languages cannot restrict me in this competitive world.