Undergraduate / 'My dad says not to give up' - Role Model Essay [6]

C.Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence

As you form a multitude of relationships with different individuals, many people become an influence in your life. However, not all of them give you the inspiration to follow their path. I always thought that life was a box of surprises and that people can influence you to the wrong place. Therefore, you never know what is going to happen or where you are going to end up. The person that marked and has guided me the most through my whole life has been my dad. I never thought that someday I would accomplish my dreams in another country. I was a lovely and happy girl living in my native country and due to economic situations, my family moved to the United States. It is hard to live in a country where you were not born. Learning the culture, language and lifestyle were some of the struggles that I had to face when I first came to the United States. I remember a cloudy afternoon in February, 2004, when I had to present a project for my science class and I was not able to present it. I did not know the language and it was frustrating for me to know the material and not be able to express myself. I had always been an independent young woman and bright student. I remember that when I got home that afternoon, I could not hold in my tears. My dad, who has been my best friend and supporter, asked me that what was wrong. I simply replied, "Nothing, it is just that I do not understand anything at school.'' My dad's response was "No te rindas" or "Do not give up." Since I was a little girl, he taught me morals and responsibilities that placed a very important value on my school grades. His words really left a mark deep inside my heart and from that moment on, with his support, I started facing my struggles with the language. In less than a year, I learned to speak English. I think it was a matter of hard work and not time. I began to read more, I listened to everything in English and I also joined an afterschool tutoring program in which I learned grammar, spelling and the pronunciation rules of my second language.

I am very thankful that my dad has always been there for me. Not only did he give me advice and support to continue in the face of my struggles, but he has also been a role model. I am who I am today because of his upbringing. I am a responsible girl who has dreams and who wants to get an education. Like Shakespeare said: "We know what we are, know not what we may be". While I do not know what my future holds or how I will spend the rest of my life, I know that education will give me the opportunity to achieve my goals, to be an independent young woman and to be a role model for people.