miamarie
Nov 28, 2015
Undergraduate / Common App Essay- Living in Spain as a Christian Missionary.... [3]
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
When I was eight years old, my family moved from Puerto Rico to Malaga, Spain to work as Christian missionaries. It was a difficult time. I remember how sad it was to say goodbye to my family and friends. I thought that it would become easier as the goodbyes became more frequent, but unfortunately, it became harder. Crying became second nature and long hugs never seemed to last long enough.
At my new school, I was surrounded by people from 52 different nations, which was quite intimidating at first. I also found that while I spoke Spanish and came from a Hispanic background, there were huge cultural differences with Spain. However, after the initial culture shock, I started to accept, adapt and integrate into my new environment, and eventually, I came to feel at home. I learned to make the most of this unique educational situation, and now I even have the privilege of being the school's Deputy Head Girl which allows me to take part in many more aspects of school life, such as organizing student translators for Parent Teacher meetings, and volunteers for the Primary School reading program.
Six years ago I started volunteering at Path of Life, a non-governmental organization and at two churches formed by my parents. These activities have helped me stay positive as I have been able to engage with people from various social spheres and focus on their needs. I have also been able to develop and lead a church youth group which has been one of the most gratifying and fulfilling experiences in my life. Being involved in social work and church development, mainly with children and youth at risk of social exclusion, has offered me the opportunity to make relationships with people I would have not met otherwise. Little did I know how God would use me to enrich other people's lives, and at the same time allow me to learn so much from them.
I enjoy learning about cultures and understanding how a country's unique history has shaped it and made it what it is today. I appreciate how other people see the world, and consequently have been able to expand my own worldview. Drawing from specific aspects of European culture and applying them to my own Hispanic American background has allowed me to become a citizen of a third culture, my own.
During my life, I have been able to travel to 30 countries in four continents. I have found that a useful tool for relating to new people and cultures has been being fully bilingual in English and Spanish, with an additional seven years of French study. In the future I intend to continue expanding my language and communication skills in order to be more effective in trans-cultural situations.
Every other year, I have been able to go back to the United States to visit family and friends, and have had the opportunity to reconnect with American society. Additionally, the past two summers have played a major role in my life, as firstly in 2014, I was selected to attend the Science Technology Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.) Summer Program at the US Naval Academy, and then this year, I was selected to represent Spain at the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. and New York City. Both of these experiences offered me the opportunity to interact with young people from both the US and around the world.
After ten years, I have realized that my roots are not confined to a geographical location, but instead to where I have developed meaningful relationships that will last a lifetime. I have come to understand that true relationships can break through cultural barriers. My awareness of my diverse cultural background has shaped me tremendously, and I strive to use it in a way that will impact those around me in a positive manner, as well as applying it to learn more about the complex and remarkable world in which we live.
It is 16 words over the word limit. If there is anything that isn't necessary please let me know. Thank you!
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
When I was eight years old, my family moved from Puerto Rico to Malaga, Spain to work as Christian missionaries. It was a difficult time. I remember how sad it was to say goodbye to my family and friends. I thought that it would become easier as the goodbyes became more frequent, but unfortunately, it became harder. Crying became second nature and long hugs never seemed to last long enough.
At my new school, I was surrounded by people from 52 different nations, which was quite intimidating at first. I also found that while I spoke Spanish and came from a Hispanic background, there were huge cultural differences with Spain. However, after the initial culture shock, I started to accept, adapt and integrate into my new environment, and eventually, I came to feel at home. I learned to make the most of this unique educational situation, and now I even have the privilege of being the school's Deputy Head Girl which allows me to take part in many more aspects of school life, such as organizing student translators for Parent Teacher meetings, and volunteers for the Primary School reading program.
Six years ago I started volunteering at Path of Life, a non-governmental organization and at two churches formed by my parents. These activities have helped me stay positive as I have been able to engage with people from various social spheres and focus on their needs. I have also been able to develop and lead a church youth group which has been one of the most gratifying and fulfilling experiences in my life. Being involved in social work and church development, mainly with children and youth at risk of social exclusion, has offered me the opportunity to make relationships with people I would have not met otherwise. Little did I know how God would use me to enrich other people's lives, and at the same time allow me to learn so much from them.
I enjoy learning about cultures and understanding how a country's unique history has shaped it and made it what it is today. I appreciate how other people see the world, and consequently have been able to expand my own worldview. Drawing from specific aspects of European culture and applying them to my own Hispanic American background has allowed me to become a citizen of a third culture, my own.
During my life, I have been able to travel to 30 countries in four continents. I have found that a useful tool for relating to new people and cultures has been being fully bilingual in English and Spanish, with an additional seven years of French study. In the future I intend to continue expanding my language and communication skills in order to be more effective in trans-cultural situations.
Every other year, I have been able to go back to the United States to visit family and friends, and have had the opportunity to reconnect with American society. Additionally, the past two summers have played a major role in my life, as firstly in 2014, I was selected to attend the Science Technology Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.) Summer Program at the US Naval Academy, and then this year, I was selected to represent Spain at the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. and New York City. Both of these experiences offered me the opportunity to interact with young people from both the US and around the world.
After ten years, I have realized that my roots are not confined to a geographical location, but instead to where I have developed meaningful relationships that will last a lifetime. I have come to understand that true relationships can break through cultural barriers. My awareness of my diverse cultural background has shaped me tremendously, and I strive to use it in a way that will impact those around me in a positive manner, as well as applying it to learn more about the complex and remarkable world in which we live.
It is 16 words over the word limit. If there is anything that isn't necessary please let me know. Thank you!