Undergraduate / How moving to another country changed me - Common app topic 6 [3]

Hi, I would really appreciate any help on my common application essay on a topic of my choice

Nothing could ever express my feelings more accurately at that point of time other than the portrayal of the three-eyed aliens from toy story, in the scene where they were trapped in the claw machine. I had just begun middle school and I felt trapped in a sea of homogeneity: all the students seemed to have similar backgrounds, tastes, likes, things and above all, desires. I was overwhelmed by the need, not to fit in, but to stand out in my own way. Ironically, I was exactly like all of them regardless of how much I resented it. I did nothing to change myself. All I ever did was to just hope that one day, I would be chosen by the claw and escape. I wanted to find myself and where I belonged in the world I saw from behind the tainted rose colored glass.

When the claw caught hold of me one day, I embraced it. I thought it was my destiny to be someone great and that was why the claw has presented me with the opportunity for my escape the homogeneity of the world I was in. My parents thought that it was about time I learnt independence; they enrolled me in an international school in Singapore.

When the rose colored glass no longer existed, I was struck by both the familiarity of the place and how different it seemed. I always thought that I would get an epiphany of some kind and would just know what I had to do as soon as I escaped to find myself but it turns out that I did not. I promised myself that I would do anything to be different and stand out. I tried many different things in vain, from cooking, which I knew nothing about, to softball and even Chinese calligraphy but they were not for me. It was frustrating for me to be unable to find who I was and where I belonged, but from that I learnt my most important lesson: I always had to work hard and give my best no matter what.

However, I was determined and I persisted with the belief that "what does not kill you make you stronger." I finally found out who I was meant to be, after being president of the interact club, a few economics lessons on development and participating in model united nations; I aspire to join the World Bank as part of their development team.

I realized how important uncertainty, discovery and making mistakes were for me. Without them, I would have had neither hope nor ambition. I learnt about consequences and making the right choices, about confidence and standing up for what you believe, about diversity and tolerance, about leadership and compassion. I did also learn what my parents had wanted: independence. I am no longer trapped in a sea of homogeneity: My culture, my beliefs and my experiences make me unique.

THANK YOU (:

Undergraduate / "Delegate of Japan, you have the floor." - activities Common App Short [6]

Hi, Please help me with my common app short essay. Any help will be appreciated!

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences (150 words or fewer)

"Delegate of Japan, you have the floor."

I strode to the front of the classroom and faced some 30 other delegates, all from different parts of the world. Whereas most schools sent delegations of more than 10 students, my school only sent 5. I was determined to prove my worth by bringing back the "best delegate" award. It was a challenge, as many of the delegates were far more experienced than I was, but I did my best and did extensive research beforehand.

This was an extraordinary out-of-classroom learning experience for me. Not only did I get to apply and evaluate what I learnt in the classroom and put it in context, but I also developed as a person. I became more confident and as I befriended them, became more open minded and aware of other's other's culture. My determination proved worthwhile: My resolution was passed and I was nominated "best delegate."

Thank you! Its a 148 words now.