Undergraduate / Being in a book club - only 150 words =) [5]

Hello =)
Any suggestions? Be harsh! I will take a look at your essay too. =) Thank you!

The fresh scent of paper and the sound of the turning pages welcome me. There is no other activity that quenches my thirst for knowledge more than curling up by the fireplace to read. Every week, the Literature Club members and I gather around to select a book. Last week, I was introduced to Jane Eyre. I instantly connect with Jane, as I have struggled to find my place of belonging in America. I realize Jane and I overcame obstacles in similar manners. As the members and I share our conceptions, different perspectives of the novel are assimilated. Not only am I able to connect with the character, but I also acquire the opinions of the others. Participating in a book club has provided me with pleasure, knowledge, and inspiration to communicate with others intellectually. Our next victim is Emma. I cannot wait to hear how the members regard the proud, but kind and passionate Emma...

Undergraduate / "to light the way for my students" - Take a look at my "Why Northwestern?" [17]

Hello friends :)

Here is my draft of Why Northwestern. Please be harsh. Hurt my feelings! Haha. I know, I need to work on my word choices... Suggestions are welcome! Thank you for your help

Date: September, 2030
As I ran my fingers across an old faded photograph of myself standing in Ryan Field, I reminisced about my years in college. I could vividly remember myself heading towards Annenberg Hall to attend a lecture. Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a bell, attracting the students to enter my classroom.

"Ms.Lee, is that you?" one of the students asked, glancing at the picture.
"Yes, it was during my college years." I smiled.
"Tell us about your college experience!" Soon, there was a crowd gathered around my desk.
"Yeah, tell us why you became a teacher!" The questions came endlessly.
"Oh, alright." I gave in and began my story...

"Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to teach. During high school, I volunteered as a peer tutor, camp counselor, and assistant teacher. These indispensable activities shaped my passion for teaching. Just like the quote, "A teacher is like a candle; it consumes itself to light the way for others," it was remarkable how I was able to guide the students to reach their educational goals. Whether they needed help solving a simple math problem or analyzing a book's theme, it was as if I held the key to the next step. No other activity was as fulfilling and satisfying to me as working with the students. So it was only natural that my affection for teaching led me to Northwestern University."

"Why? Does Northwestern have a good teaching program?" One of the students courageously asked the big question.
"For me, the question was 'Why not Northwestern?' Northwestern was my home for developing my interests and talents. My rationale for attending Northwestern had to do with the School of Education & Social Policy. From the beginning, I knew it was the perfect match for me. And I was right. SESP not only prepared me with the best secondary teacher program, but also in human development and psychological services, where my other passion lies. It was truly amazing as I learned the social impacts on human growth.

"Anyways, SESP is known for its close community. The small classes fostered strong relationship between the professors and the students. It was my ideal learning environment, because I believe engaging in discussions broaden and expands the students' reflection. Also, I always had someone to converse with, whether it was for academic or personal purposes. I still keep in touch with advisors and professors that I became close to during those years.

"Yes, Alex," I called upon a student whose arm was raised.
"I have a sister who goes to Northwestern and she told me about the practicum in School of Education. What did you do?" Alex asked.

"Out of an abundance of opportunities SESP offered, the most valuable adventure was the summer field studies. I was given a chance to explore my potential career at the Department of Education in Washington D.C. As my courses were concentrated specifically towards social policy and human services, I utilized my knowledge in designing education curriculums. I was in the right place as I helped to outline modules that taught students to think creatively and openly for themselves. The feeling of leaving my footprints on a student's life was ineffable and I believe no other university would have provided such an opportunity like Northwestern did.

"Let's get back to class. We're going to be discussing childhood development and adolescence," I concluded. As I stepped toward the podium, I inwardly thanked Northwestern University for opening the doors for me. As Northwestern was a candle to my education, I will continue to light the way for my students, with knowledge.

Undergraduate / UC PROMPT 2.- Important experience. [13]

Hi Guys =) I wrote about the experience that is important to me. How does it relate to the person you are? Am I on topic? How could I make it better? Thanks so much =)

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All kinds of thoughts ran through my head as I anxiously waited for the airplane to land. What if people do not understand me? What about racism? I tried to bottle up the anticipation and put it aside; however, I felt like Alice in Wonderland entering into a new dimension. Although my family assured me that I would fit in to America, I had tremendous doubts.

I began attending schools and adjusting to the new language. I was easily able to adapt to the American school curriculums that taught students to think creatively and openly for themselves. It was a new experience for me as I have learned to follow strictly from the teacher's instructions. However, the cultural barriers never slipped away in my mind. Why did Americans tip after eating at a restaurant? Why did they pay individually when they ate with a group? Thus, when my parents decided to spend the summer in Korea, I was overjoyed and thrilled.

A few weeks later, at Incheon International Airport, I felt the rush of comfort and a deep sense of relief. When I saw one of the elders had dropped his book, I ran to pick it up. Excited for what I have done, I greeted the elders and handed him his book. However, my elated state of mind soon subsided when the elders walked away, criticizing my demeanor of delivering the book with one hand. I had forgotten the Korean etiquette to use two hands to show respect for the elders. I tried to ignore it, but my sense of discomfort grew as I spent more days in Korea. My cousins had to get a haircut, as the Korean schools required all the students' hair to be cut to a proper length. Also, they could not wear any make-up or earrings. Because I only had gone to an elementary school in Korea, I was not cognizant of these stringent school rules. I thought of the independence given to American students and the usual American's courtesy in passing objects with one hand to the elders. Suddenly, these American customs now appeared rational to me. It was evident that aspects of American culture had been embedded in me.

Why had I not considered the admirable traits of America sooner? It was not the culture that had prevented me from adjusting; it was actually my unwillingness to look beyond my limitations. Although the differences were overwhelming and challenging to overcome, it helped me to become adaptable to changes. Now that I am capable of observing from the vantage point of two discrete, unique cultures, I have perspectives that others do not have. I will continue to seek out discrepancies between the two cultures and embrace them. After all, we are so different, yet the same.