Undergraduate / Fort Lee school, Rutgers undergraduate essay [2]

Topic: Rutgers University is a vibrant community of people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. How would you benefit from and contribute to such an environment?

Fort Lee is a gateway to New York, one of the major cities in the world. My family settled in this unique town which has a broad range of people. Unlike schools in Korea, ethnic diversity at Fort Lee school prevented me from being conspicuous and made the "blending-in process" much easier.

A few months later, school initiated "International Food Day" to give students opportunities to enjoy its diversity and learned other culture. I remember assisting my mom by bringing ingredients for "chop suey" and washing dishes. On the evening of "International Food Day", my friends and I, with support from our parents, proudly served our "chop suey" to other people. When all the guests started to eat, one of my Indian friends recommended some Indian foods that we had never seen or tasted before. I hesitated to accept his offer but declining it would be an insult to him and his culture. Therefore, I reluctantly picked up the food and chewed as quickly as possible. Surprisingly, I could not deny its amazing taste even though it looked unappetizing and got over my prejudice against other cultural foods.

Almost all Koreans living in Fort Lee went to church and therefore, naturally, my family also began to attend church. Most people assume that diversity does not exist in groups of the same ethnicity but our youth group, a group of people who could not speak English well, coexisted with "twinkies" who could speak English fluently. To maintain its diversity, the role of leaders was vital. After My predecessor failed to maintain its diversity and left me the burden. During a meeting of youth leaders, I drafted out activities for summer retreat that required interaction between people so that the gap would not exist. We divided into groups randomly and assign group tasks such as to come up with a skit or create a group song. At our retreat, each member always ate with group members but also learned how to embrace each other regardless of language or group.

With all my experiences, I would extend my leadership and treat every individual impartially regardless of ethnicity. Also, by becoming a member of Rutgers Korean Cultural Group, I would participate in any cultural events and help other people to experience Korean culture. The diversity at Rutgers University would make it easy to contact more people of diverse background and share our commonness of culture and interests. Most of all, Rutgers University's vibrant community simulates the real world and therefore, the transition from life in college to life in society would be more smooth.

Undergraduate / illness had most profound effect upon my life- UConn [NEW]

- Describe a person or event that has had a profound effect upon your life.

I immigrated to United States from Korea about seven years ago. This decision was made by my parents because I have suffered painfully from chronic ear infection and allergic coryza and was in risk of losing hearing ability since I was three years old. These distressing health problems forced me into a surgery room several times. However, all that surgeries I went through did seems to have had no effect towards complete cure whatsoever. Surgeries only alleviated immediate problems and weakened my liver as well as my immune system. Ultimately, after fourth ear surgery, my parents announced without any advance notice that I, my sister, and my mom are going to United States primarily for better medical treatment but partially for better education. That shocking news brought influx of fears and sadness to my mind. I strongly opposed and told them that I would not fit into a society of completely dissimilar in culture. Frankly, I was afraid that I would not be able to make any friendships or share my feelings with people of different culture. However, their decision was so solid and firm that it seemed almost impossible to convince them.

Before I and my friends parted, pledging to meet again, we gathered together at my house to bid farewell to each other. We shared all the reminiscences that we have been through with tears in our hearts and promised to meet again as achievers of goals not failures. At the airport, I tried to calm myself but right before the gate, tears suddenly started to stream down my cheeks. With an outburst of tears and snivels, I ran into my uncle and dad's chests and hugged them tightly as I can. My dad, who could not come to United States with us because of his job, held my hand and prayed for the best. The extreme wrench of parting and promise I have made with friends deeply motivated me to become healthy and successful achiever with better education.

In U.S, the illness seemed to be relieved for about few months without any medical care. However, when cold winter came and brought snow, the illness suddenly started to cause problems. Snow, not very common in the region where I used to live in Korea, lured me to play outside for several hours which were critical to my ear and nasal problem. We visited doctor's office with thinking of another surgery. However, doctor did not recommend any surgeries but prescribed many medicines. Those medicines performed their abilities amazingly like panacea and diminish illness significantly but gradually. As my condition improved gradually, the sympathy towards people suffering from chronic diseases slowly occupied my mind and that sympathy inspired me to set my dream for pharmacist. I want to detach those people from shackles of illness give them joy and freedom that I experienced after complete cure by inventing effective medicines. I also want to please my dad who sacrificed his happiness of having family for my health and success by living successful life as pharmacist.

People often complains when struggles come. However, there is a famous proverb saying, "No pain no gain". Through struggles of illness, I gained my life-worth goal which most teenagers do not obtain and came to "the land of opportunity". It is within bounds to say that illness had most profound effect upon my life.

thank you very much!~