Undergraduate / 'A motorbike flew past us' - U Richmond - Leaving the comfort zone [5]

Tell us about an experience in which you left your comfort zone. How did this experience change you?

Some people purposefully leave their comfort zones. But sometimes it is not by choice, but by a twist of fate. My comfort zone disappeared when I witnessed a tragic accident. It was something so sudden that I was dumbfounded; something so unbelievable that it changed my life forever.

It was a typical hot summer Sunday morning in Sydney. As my brother and I were walking to church, a motorbike flew past us, making a distinct, loud noise. I smirked, thinking that the rider was deliberately speeding. What a clown!

"Bang!" A deafening crash drew my attention.

There was an accident. Instinctively, I walked cautiously towards the scene. It was the rider who just sped past us. I saw his helmet and his leather jacket still attached, lying on the ground, but an immediate glimpse around the scene left me puzzled. Where was the person?

Suddenly, I was stunned to realize that I was staring at a body from the waist up, lying thirty centimeters away from me, while the other half was a few meters away. It took me a few seconds before I could grasp the situation. The bike rider was cut in half.

Soon, the ambulance and the police arrived. I was still in shock while giving my report to the policeman. But as I said the words "I was only about three meters away when the accident happened," I froze.

Five seconds slower and I could have been at the exact spot of the accident. That five seconds was all there was between being the bystander or the casualty. That could have been the end of the comfortable lifestyle that I had been living for fourteen years.

A small memorial was erected a few weeks later. It was dedicated to the life of the twenty one year old that came to an end prematurely, while riding to work on a Sunday. This led me to ask questions such as, did the fact that he was trying to avoid a turning car prove that no matter what we do, we cannot change our fate? Or was it his decision to speed that caused his own death - thus do we create our own destiny? Although I never knew him, he changed me in ways a thousand books could not. His death influenced me to contemplate my life and start asking questions. I began to think more deeply about an aspect which we all tend to take for granted - this building block called life. Although one life ended, another one was changed.

As Brian Tracy once said "You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you."

Although I was only fourteen at the time, it turned my life around. It was a first-hand experience of how short and unpredictable our life is. However, I did not cry or become emotionally damaged. But I embraced it as an experience which tested my limits and revealed my potential as a human being. By having a positive attitude towards this incident, I was able turn this tragedy for one human being into an opportunity for myself. I was able to mature and learn from this incident and most of all, I found myself no longer satisfied with just staying in my "comfort zone." It motivated me to constantly seek a challenge, accepting any hardships so that I would be better prepared for more difficult moments like these. I became willing to stretch my "comfort zone," to embrace all situations that confronted me, because I believe that the more I leave my "comfort zone", the stronger the person I will become. Everyone says that college life can be extremely demanding. Well, I am looking forward to this new challenge.

now does this answer the prompt? and the ending - too weak? and i need to shorten it a bit if i can...

sorry about the poor quality. Its 5am here in Korea and I just finished this lol
thanks in advance guys!

Undergraduate / Why GWU? This new beginning. [6]

500 word limit! (its at 499 now lol)

thanks guys!

needs a lot of work on grammar, awkward sentences etc! any help is greatly appreciated!

also is the first paragraph too weird? i tried to convey the point that GWU's surroundings are awesome etc in an interesting way.

With heavy textbooks in my bag, a camera hanging loosely around my neck and a small map in my hand, I wander down the street searching for my destination. With the United States Capitol behind me, I continue to stroll, absorbing the atmosphere, studying the surroundings, and becoming part of the crowd. As I walk, I am deeply amazed at the history, the culture, and the value these buildings represent and demand. None more so than the White House. I stand in awe and imagine myself working in such a place. Although a security guard stops me from approaching closer for a better picture, I continue to amble in high spirits. Before long, I approach the World Bank, where I push past the protesters. As I reflect on this path called Pennsylvania Avenue, I realize how wonderful it would be to do this every day, only to realize I have finally reached my destination. The sign reads, "Welcome to George Washington University."

As an international student who decided to attend university in a country he has never been before, I had big dreams. I dreamed of a place where I could walk the streets and become amazed at the milieu, filled with hope for the future and ultimately, inspired to achieve my best. I dreamed of a place where my childhood ambitions of serving the President in the Oval Office or working in a major international organization like World Bank would be just one step away; where my aspirations and aims would no longer be behind a television screen but so close that I can see it with my own eyes. (the use of semi colon - correct or incorrect?) Most of all, I dreamed of a place where the education and skills I obtain will take me closer to making my imaginings a reality. But I thought such place was fictional. I decided that my hopes were too abstract.

However, my attitude changed quickly. As I began my search on the Internet, I found a certain university. At first, its interesting name grabbed my attention and as I initiated a research about this university, I began to feel that this was the place. GWU not only satisfied the objective of my search but I was beginning to believe that at GWU, my dreams and imaginings could come true.

The shrinking process of globalization has brought everyone in the world closer together. This is why I believe we should be more aware and educated about our neighbors instead of ignoring them. GWU's Elliot school of International Affairs will help me to understand the world not only through books, but also with its diverse campus, through first-hand experience. Its immediate location of Washington DC will provide unique opportunities, enabling a special social and political network and providing unparalleled experiences that could one day lead to fulfillment of my dreams. I believe that GWU will prepare me to face any challenges and to lead this new beginning of our world.