Scholarship / Commitment of celebrating diverse cultures-Annika Rodriguez Program [10]

# Write a short essay on the following topic.
Consider the biography of Annika Rodriguez and the eligibility requirements, and reflect upon your commitment to bringing diverse groups together and/or celebrating the cultures of diverse peoples. How do your community service activities demonstrate your dedication to the ideals embraced by the Rodriguez Scholars Program?

Coming from a multicultural country such as Malaysia and having Indian roots, diversity is a large part of my life and always has been. As a Head Prefect of my school that has a myriad of races, I have always valued diversity and cross-cultural understanding. I was given an opportunity to participate in the Youth Exchange and Study Program, a program developed by the U.S Government in response to the events of September 11.This program brings students from countries with significant Muslim population to promote mutual understanding and respect between cultures. Therefore, I was very grateful of the fact that I was given this opportunity to make a difference and to promote the beauty of different cultures.

During the first days of high school, I received many questions from my American friends. They were naturally curious as they have never met someone from Malaysia. I answered all their questions but I felt that it was not enough to truly reflect what the cultures of the world are really like. As I had the opportunity to experience and live the life of another culture, I believe that my American friends should have the same opportunity to enrich their knowledge of other cultures. Since food has always been considered one of the most salient markers of cultural traditions, I decided to organize an International Potluck Day, where all the exchange students around the area could cook their traditional food and wear their traditional costumes to showcase their culture. I devised a plan and gave it to the American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES) coordinators and had a few discussions with them to plan the event. When everything was approved, we gathered the other exchange students to design flyers, to find a venue and to look for volunteers to help us out during that day. It was a tough task but we managed to pull it through .After two weeks of planning, we handed out the flyers to our friends, neighbors and people in our host community.

On that day, the turnout for the event was overwhelming. We decided to do it in our community church and over 500 people turned up. We had exchange students from Turkey, Egypt, China, India, Bolivia, France, Chile, and the Philippines with their ethnic food and costumes. An array of traditional cuisines was lined up along with the explanation of what the dish really is. I decided to prepare a "nasi lemak", a coconut rice dish wrapped in banana leaf, with cucumber slices, small dried anchovies, roasted peanuts, hardboiled egg, and spicy sauce .What I saw that day still vividly lingers on my mind. I saw my American friends and the exchange students laughing together as they tried on new food and learned about new cultures. But most importantly, I saw them hugging each other as they formed new bonds between them, bonds that crossed geographical borders and cultural barriers. That was when I saw change happening right before my eyes .When these bonds of friendship were created, we opened our hearts and desire to understand and fully accept each other. I realized that something as simple as food could bring so many people together.

When I went to school the next day, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my classmates decided to volunteer at the local foreign exchange student organization. A few of them expressed their desire to be an exchange student so that they could explore the different part and cultures of the world. I am glad to be a part of an event that exposed the vitality cultural diversity to my friends. I was thrilled to know that my American friends were becoming more international when they realized the importance of intercultural exchange. More importantly this event brought people from almost every quarters of the world together and we were able to truly know one another and the different cultures.

I discovered that the very uniqueness of our background, our culture, and within ourselves was what brought us together. In the same way, diversity allows for a community to have people of various backgrounds to come together to share in their differences and better understand one another by appreciating those differences in morals and beliefs. As an exchange student who has had the golden opportunity of literally interacting beyond borders, I realize the importance of tolerance and appreciating the differences between people and cultures. I feel obliged to educate the people around me with the knowledge that I have gained as I am currently volunteering with the Youth Exchange and Study Alumni Malaysia. Upon returning from my exchange program, I continue helping other exchange students in creating events that could bring people of different cultures together as well as disseminating the impact of cross-cultural exchange so that many other teenagers can experience the cultural diversity. Consequently, I am happy to know that I have helped my friends realize that every culture is worthy of exploration and understanding. And I have my nasi lemak to thank.

Scholarship / "Academic Goals,Career Aspirations"-Tuition Scholarship for U of Maine [2]

Hi.This is the essay prompt
On a separate sheet of paper, write a well-developed, one page essay describing why you should receive a tuition scholarship. Include your academic goals, career aspirations, and reasons for selecting the University of Maine. Please supply any additional information about yourself you believe would be useful to the selection committee.

I am not really confident with this essay as I feel I don't have a strong theme for it and I am not sure if I have my academic goals are clear in this essay.Any criticisms are welcomed.Thank you so much.

My parents have never been to college. I knew they had the same dream as me, the same passion as me to pursue their studies in the tertiary education. Due to the fact of financial difficulties at that time, they never had that chance to do what they wanted. Instead they accepted the duty of being the ones to care for their family. They entered the the working world after high school. They never did tell me about their most precious desires at that time, but I have always known. My parents have always made sure that I never compromised my education. They tried their best to help me with my homework and made sure that I would get the help I needed. They would always say to me that, "No matter what, you'll be getting into the college to do what you want." I intend to accomplish their dream of seeing their daughter going attending college.

I am an obstinate learner who is always longing for knowledge. Coming from a highly competitive high school, I have become someone who likes to challenge myself. I have taken rigorous subjects in school including three Science electives to help me prepare for my pre-medical studies. I have always been a dedicated student, working diligently to always make sure that I am the top of my class. My high school experience was a stimulating adventure where I was always on the hunt for knowledge and ways to improve my intellectual abilities. Thus, Maine University will be my stepping stone for my quest to excel in my pre-medical studies and enter an excellent medical school. The thirst for adventure has not abated for me, in fact, as I prepare for Maine University, the lure of greater achievement and deeper knowledge beckons.

During one of my duty hours as a first aid volunteer, I had to handle a case where the patient had a sudden asthma attack and my first aid knowledge helped her abate the attack and saved her life. I did not just use my first aid knowledge to help her, in fact, held on to her hand and told her to not give up and keep fighting. I realized that by giving her hope to go on, I had helped her to survive. That moment was a turning point in my life. I had found my true calling of being a doctor. The power of making a difference in a person's life is the best gift I could give a person. Throughout the five years of being a first aid volunteer under St. John Ambulance Malaysia, the thing that struck me most is that I was able to witness a person getting better after I treated them. It gave me the highest possible satisfaction as I have made an impact in that person's life. I personally aspire to be someone who brings impact into my community and let that impact spread through. I learned that a person needs love, concern, mercy, sympathy and compassion to recover. As a first aid volunteer, I have discovered that the human touch can trigger hope and healing within an ailing person. By being a doctor, I am able to continue what I love doing the most; making a difference, aiding recovery and even saving lives.

When I discovered Maine University through meticulous research on the internet, I realized that this was the perfect place for me to complete my undergraduate student. As an international student, I have yearned to be part in the United State advanced education system in which Maine is the one university that is able to fulfill my educational pursuits. I have never visited Maine University before, but no other university was able to bring me the same contentment.

Undergraduate / Kutztown University Essay-Academic Preparation and Cultural Diversity [4]

Please type on a separate page an essay explaining how you have prepared academically for university and how you will contribute to cultural diversity at Kutztown University.

Learning about Malaysia

I have been interested in pursuing my studies in Kutztown University since the beginning of my high school. I have taken rigorous subjects in school to prepare me well for my pre-medical studies in this brilliant university. I have always been a dedicated student, working diligently to always make sure that I am the top of my class. I have taken a variety of challenging classes in high school as to reach my fullest potential in high school.

Due to my immense appreciation and interest in the Science subjects, I have taken part in numerous competitions. One of them would be when I was selected to represent my state for the National Science Challenge in Malaysia. I was required to conduct a research and do a presentation in front of well known university lecturers in Malaysia. The one week there pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me strive forward to complete my research. There were moments where some of the results of the research was not accurate. However, I never gave up and made sure I scrutinized every detail of the research so that I would be able to explain it in my presentation .My determination and persistence paid off when I managed to secure fifth place in the competition.

Coming from a multicultural country such as Malaysia, diversity is a large part of my life and always has been. In high school, I was elected as the Head Prefect of my school which requires me to interact and work closely with students of other races. After my high school, I was given an opportunity to embark on a cultural exchange program to the United States. During the first few days of high school in America, one of the questions that caught me off guard was "Is Malaysia in Africa?" Didn't they realize that Malaysia is in Asia? With that in mind, I felt like it would be important for me to share some of my culture with my American friends. As a former exchange student who has had the golden opportunity of literally interacting beyond borders, I realize the importance of tolerance and appreciating the differences.

Through this experience, I believe that I can be an effective cultural ambassador of my country, teaching the students of Kutztown University about Malaysia and its traditions. My exposure to new ideas, insights and cross-cultural experiences will enable me to foster a better understanding between the American students and other international students here . To Kutztown University, I am able to bring knowledge of diversity and an attitude of acceptance.

I would appreciate any feedback.Thank you!

Undergraduate / Common Application-First Aid: making a difference by joining the medical industry. [10]

Hi. This is my short essay for the common application. Any comment/advice is highly appreciated.
Thank you!(:

Being a volunteer in St. John Ambulance has allowed me to pursue my desire to help others especially during times in need. As a certified first aid volunteer, I realized that my service made a difference in a person's recovery when I helped a young girl during her sudden asthma attack. Just by helping her to breathe, I helped her survive. At that moment, I felt an immense sense of fulfillment and purpose. Since then, I have dedicated my time to provide first aid services during school and community events. Being a first aid volunteer has taught me how to respond under critical situations, build my leadership skills and ultimately it has allowed me to give back to my community. After serving for five years under St. John Ambulance, I am determined to continue my passion of saving lives and making a difference by joining the medical industry.

Undergraduate / "That someone was me"; The American Dream [8]

I would appreciate any advice and constructive criticism.Thank you. :)
Common application :Topic of your choice

The American Dream
When I first discovered that I was going to the United States for 6 months for an exchange program, the only thing I could think of was that my American dream is about to come true. Who would have ever thought that a small town girl like me, would ever step foot in America. After hours of filling in forms, applying for a visa and enduring pain from the long needles to get vaccinated, I was set to go to America. A few days before I left, I found out that I was to be hosted in Minnesota. When my parents ...

and after edits:
She approached me under the gray skies of Pipestone, with a twinkle in her eye and a welcoming smile across her face. She said "Hello." I managed to squeeze out a small,"Hi Mom "as I hugged her back. I stepped into the car with the rest of my new family. Throughout the ride back home, I observed and listened quietly. The way they spoke seemed alien to me, I was feeling a little disoriented due to the jet lag and the cold outside was piercing my skin. Is this how I was supposed to feel on my first day as an exchange student?"I wondered. We reached my new "home" and my host family showed me my room. As I looked outside the window, I was greeted by the sight of a rather small oak tree and sidewalks filled with snow. "We will go to school on Monday to get you registered," said "Mom". I snapped out of my daydream. "Okay," I replied nervously, trying to sound enthusiastic.

During the first few weeks of high school, I felt somewhat lost. Finding the right classes were the initial challenge I had to overcome. Fortunately, there were a few kind souls who were willing to help me out when I was lost in the middle of the hallways. With only three hundred students in school, I found it difficult to make friends as they all seemed rather tight knit. I grew up during my youth years being quiet and only mingling among my circle of friends. However, I slowly started opening up and began participating in school activities. Joining the school choir and school play, I made friends that were very much different from whom I am. This brought me to a turning point in my conversations as they truly made me speak my mind without fear of judgments or any other. It was a true transition like from a bottle out to the open air.

Before I came to America, I never played sports. I refused to join any sports in school, simply because I was afraid people would make fun of me. Being fifteen miles away from my American high school, made me do something that I could not believe until today. I joined my school's softball team, the best softball team in the section with extremely brilliant softball players. Here I am a person who did not even know what softball is all about. Turns out, I was the worst player in the team. I did not even know how to hold a bat. To my surprise, the girls in the team were more than happy to help me out. They would cheer me on and they never gave up on me. Then one day, the coach decided to put me in one of the games. I immediately froze. I was the first one to hit in that inning. All I could see was the pitcher and the ball. Then everything happened in a split second. I swung as hard as I could and felt the ball hit the bat. I let go of the bat and ran as fast as I could for first base, and I managed to reach base on time. At that moment, my coach and teammates was the proudest people in the world. They were cheering and my coach was jumping up and down. When I managed to reach home base plate, every single one ran out to give me a hug. The feeling I had was indescribable. I earned the nickname "Malaysian Murderer" after that game. I was after all, the first exchange student to get a hit.

I met the most amazing people here and they all have touched my life in many ways. Before I came here, I did not like to fend for myself. I was, simply put, a passive-hearted girl who disliked challenge of any sort. Insecure and feeling somewhat defeated by some personal struggles I have had to endure in my life, I was not confident of my capabilities. Evidently, being an exchange student is not easy. Fitting in with my host family and my friends did not happen overnight. The fact that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and I was determined and bold enough to make decisions that I would never have before made me a stronger person, a person with a heart unbeatable by any other. Now it takes a lot to discourage me because I know that I am capable of making a difference. I feel obliged to educate the people around me with the knowledge that I have gained as I am currently volunteering with the Youth Exchange and Study Alumni Malaysia. I realize the importance of tolerance and appreciating the differences as I forged many worthwhile friendships in America. And it was through these friendships that I was able to effectively play my role as a young ambassador of my country. For me, the experienced affirmed that the will to succeed makes all things possible, a newfound principle that I currently apply to myself. For example, I am planning to take up French Language after a two year gap and I am determined to obtain the highest French Language Proficiency Certificate, regardless of how long it may take. This experience made me into a woman of conviction.

Before I left my home, I looked at my room for one last time and a smile blossomed on my face. I noticed that the oak tree has grown and stood tall outside my window. I was amazed by how much it had grown over the past six months and the tree reminded me of someone. That someone was me.