Undergraduate / 'Cycling' - Extracurricular activity [3]

One of my extracurricular activities that I am going to evaluate is cycling. I've been cycling since I was small and I have no intentions of stopping any time soon. What I adore about cycling is that it provides me with the opportunity to relax and release the heat from a busy day. I can just take my bike out and start cycling. With my bike, I can explore every part of my city without being stuck in traffic jams. However, I like to cycle in parks and mountains the most. They are places that enables me to take a break from the busy city and they bring joy as well as appreciation of nature . When riding my bike I am in a state of joy and happiness. I let go of all my worries and problems and I can simply feel the pleasure of what I am doing. Like other sports, cycling keeps me fit and helps me to lose weight.

Thank you in advance! :)

Undergraduate / 'interest in pursuing a Business' - Ithaca Supplement. [3]

Hi guys I have just finished my ithaca supplement essay.Any feedbacks and corrections would be nice.
Thanks!
Why did you select this specific academic program?

My interest in pursuing a Business degree dates back to the summer of 2008, when I worked in my parents' clothes shop as a shopping assistant for my mother. This opportunity gave me first-hand experience with real life. I had to use my communication skills to persuade clients to buy certain types of cloth and also guarantee their quality. As a result of my work experience, I got very interested in the field of business. I started reading various financial magazines and newspaper such as the Financial Times, Forbes, etc. I enjoy finding out how various aspects of businesses link together in an organization. In order to have success in business I believe I need to have more than just an academic understanding. Rather, creativity, motivation, hard work, excellent social skills, and even carefully managed risks are essential. These qualities make me eager to learn more and strengthen my desire to be professionally involved in a business career.

Another activity that I can associate with my interest in business is basketball. Yes, basketball. During fifth grade, my parents advised me to start playing basketball in order to grow taller (because my height was below average compared to my classmates). So I started playing basketball, and although I did not really grow much, I was passionate about it. With a lot of hard work and determination, I made it on the school team, which I still play for.I started regularly following major basketball leagues like the NBA and the Euro-league. As I watched them, a lot of questions came to my mind. One was 'How did they manage to build that big arena with state of the art facilities?' and another-'How do they manage to pay their players' seven figures salaries?' Therefore, I started researching the teams' budgets, sponsors, owners, and son. Finally, I found the answers to my questions, which made me even more attracted to pursuing a business degree.

Despite knowing what degree to pursue, I still have not decided what kind of job I want to have after graduation. I believe that, with the many business-related majors offered at Ithaca College and with the help of its academic and career advisors, I will have time to decide what I want to do and will be able to implement my knowledge and skills gained at Ithaca College to succeed professionally.

Undergraduate / 'I went to Vietnam last year' - Common App [2]

Hey guys I just finished writing my common app essay and I would be greateful if you give me feedbacks about it. Oh , and also I dont have a topic so any suggestions would be great!

Thank you!

When I went to Vietnam last year, I learned a lot about the country, and surprisingly, a lot about myself. I was visiting the area for the third time, but everything about this visit was different and new to me. I was not a little child anymore and I was travelling alone and volunteering at a youth summer camp.

Before this visit, I did not really know much about Vietnam. To that point, Vietnam seemed to be a place of noisy motorbikes, hot weather, and lots of people. Although it was my motherland, I had spent most of my life in Europe and knew little about everyday life and the local culture. The other participants in the camp were just like me - Vietnamese teenagers who live and study outside of Vietnam. It was interesting to learn about their adopted homelands, cultures and seemingly minute but fascinating details such as an authentic recipe for German sausages and a few Cambodian words. We went on several trips exploring historical places in Vietnam and its traditional cuisines.

During the camp I was not only a student but also a teacher. I got to know almost all participants and learned how they live and adapt to their new home countries. Some of them shared they hang out primarily with other Vietnamese and I asked 'Why not with the locals'. They replied that they either felt uncomfortable or shy around native people. Therefore, I told them 'In Rome, do as the Romans do' and gave them advices how to integrate with the locals. Some of them acted on it and later they told me that they are not shy anymore among other natives and hang out with them much more often.

The most rewarding experience while being in the camp was the voluntary work we did at a center for disabled children. It was not much larger than our apartment in Sofia but sheltered several times the number of people in our household. I was overwhelmed by the fact that even though some of them were deaf, blind or had a mental problem, they all laughed, sang and played just like us. I realized that with a bit of help people, especially children, with disabilities can have relatively normal lives.

Before our group left, we gave farewell presents to the children. When I handed a small wooden whistle to a little girl, she cheerfully thanked me and hugged me. I felt a tear drop down my cheek and right then I knew I will treasure the moment forever.

The time spent in the summer camp was a life-changing experience for me. I felt truly blessed to be healthy and have such a wonderful family. But I also realized that one way to achieve happiness is to do the most with what I have and not feel sorry for circumstances out of my control. Furthermore, I learned that with courage, persistence and determination I can face and overcome the adversities and difficulties in life.