jahnavi
Nov 22, 2009
Undergraduate / UC Essay Success; it can be defined in an infinite number of ways [5]
Describe an experience that has a profound effect on you
One
Horns fruitlessly blazed on the busy, crowded intersection. Clouds of dirt formed everywhere as the tires roll on the dirt road, and one by one, the cars stopped. As the air cleared, dim outlines of emaciated bodies emerged, sticking their dirt-covered hands into any open car window, begging for a little change. These soiled figures were the poverty-stricken orphans in India.
On this particular day, during one on my trips to India, my family was on the road, eagerly waiting to attend my cousin's wedding. When the slow traffic came to an abrupt stop, dozens of children appeared, bearing their open palms. As they approached, one by one, the car windows closed, and one by one, the children's hopes of a meal that day died.
They continued through the traffic, each time becoming more disappointed. People were too occupied in their own affairs, and the children seemed to realize this, and their hopes dwindled to nothing. The people in the cars didn't realize this, but they were committing one of the greatest atrocities; taking away someone's hope. But suddenly, as they approached the end, a lady stepped out of her car. Slowly, she reached into her car, and pulled out a small black purse. She gave each kid some money, and as this was happening, I started to observe the other cars. I could tell that the people, who paid no attention to the orphans before, were now contemplating whether or not to get out of their cars. Many, ridden by guilt, stepped out to save their pride, but not to save the children. This incident made me realize that people are willing to sacrifice anything in order to preserve their pride.
At twelve years old, this was the first time I became aware of the incentive behind human actions. Though human aspiration to maintain pride may be wrong, it is a powerful motivator, and realizing this I observed how one woman used this primitive instinct to help people like the orphans. Before this, I used to doubt that one person really could have a significant effect in the world, but this experience opened my eyes to the extent of one human's influence, even enough to impact world poverty forever. Therefore, one goal of my life has been finding ways to help the less fortunate by making the more fortunate see the good in giving.
Describe an experience that has a profound effect on you
One
Horns fruitlessly blazed on the busy, crowded intersection. Clouds of dirt formed everywhere as the tires roll on the dirt road, and one by one, the cars stopped. As the air cleared, dim outlines of emaciated bodies emerged, sticking their dirt-covered hands into any open car window, begging for a little change. These soiled figures were the poverty-stricken orphans in India.
On this particular day, during one on my trips to India, my family was on the road, eagerly waiting to attend my cousin's wedding. When the slow traffic came to an abrupt stop, dozens of children appeared, bearing their open palms. As they approached, one by one, the car windows closed, and one by one, the children's hopes of a meal that day died.
They continued through the traffic, each time becoming more disappointed. People were too occupied in their own affairs, and the children seemed to realize this, and their hopes dwindled to nothing. The people in the cars didn't realize this, but they were committing one of the greatest atrocities; taking away someone's hope. But suddenly, as they approached the end, a lady stepped out of her car. Slowly, she reached into her car, and pulled out a small black purse. She gave each kid some money, and as this was happening, I started to observe the other cars. I could tell that the people, who paid no attention to the orphans before, were now contemplating whether or not to get out of their cars. Many, ridden by guilt, stepped out to save their pride, but not to save the children. This incident made me realize that people are willing to sacrifice anything in order to preserve their pride.
At twelve years old, this was the first time I became aware of the incentive behind human actions. Though human aspiration to maintain pride may be wrong, it is a powerful motivator, and realizing this I observed how one woman used this primitive instinct to help people like the orphans. Before this, I used to doubt that one person really could have a significant effect in the world, but this experience opened my eyes to the extent of one human's influence, even enough to impact world poverty forever. Therefore, one goal of my life has been finding ways to help the less fortunate by making the more fortunate see the good in giving.