Undergraduate / 'the way I have been raised' - Personal statement for UC admissions [9]

Hsuan-Yi Yang

I have come a long way in finalizing with psychology as my major after numerous visits with my counselor. I was going through hardships with personal struggles as well as financial troubles within the family. A part of me wanted to make my parents proud since they never attended college nor did their first child. However, the other part of me had no faith in believing that I actually had a chance in attending a University that I desire with the thought of being unable to afford it. I felt helpless and almost gave up, thus led to a lousy semester. During Spring 2012, I was enrolled in three honor classes along with Anatomy. Although I thought I could overcome the hardships, I came to find out that I only felt unmotivated and distressed due to no clear directions ahead of me. The awful semester really led me down since I have high expectations in myself. However, after the failure, I learned to better cope with obstacles in life and not to give up so quickly. Although my mistake cannot be undone, I now have more room of improvement and a reminder to always inspire me to keep working hard regardless of life's circumstances.

Now, with the assistance from the counselor, I developed interest in becoming a counselor to guide students who are lost in directions in life as I was. After enrolling in the Abnormal Psychology class, I feel more assuring of my decision. I am absolutely fascinated with the astonishing personalities people develop due to different causes. Also, I am doing much better this semester with all my concentration and focus in school; I am fully on track in all my classes and I hope to prove to others and myself that I can achieve my goal in getting straight A's with all my dedication.

One other source in guiding me into the psychology field was after volunteering at Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, a free clinic promoted by Buddhists to help low income families and individuals that cannot afford health insurance to receive free or low-cost medical services. During the volunteer experience, I learned about some qualities about myself that I did not acknowledge before. Although I worked at the registry desk, I would only acquire paper work and information from patients, I saw many people who struggled from either health conditions or financial hardships. Also, I saw how appreciative and thankful they were after receiving medical and other services from doctors, staffs and volunteers who were very friendly and helpful. Since I was only a volunteer and I worked at the registry, I could not do much to help people. However, I was very patient with anxious and sometimes furious patients whether on the phone or in person. The head nurse was even surprised when patients asked to speak with me without knowing I was only a volunteer not a staff member. Each "thank you" I would receive warmed my heart. I then realized helping others not only make their days, my days were made as well. I decided that I want to study psychology and eventually become a counselor or a clinical therapist to help those who struggle with their lives by assisting them in solving their problems or assisting them through their struggles.

Although I have no particular talents such as playing instruments or anything in particular, I do have great personal qualities that I feel proud of. I am grateful for the way I have been raised. My parents taught me good morals and manners; they basically shaped the person I am today. However, my proudest accomplishment would be helping my aunt take care of my younger cousin with mental illness and other medical conditions.

My younger cousin was born with heart problems and later on diagnosed with anoxic brain damage due to lack of oxygen during his second heart surgery at the age of ten months. On top of the brain damage, he experienced a stroke thus leading to both speech and physical impairments. In 2005, my mom took over full care for him with my assistance in translating at doctor's appointments as well as feeding, bathing, transferring, and other living essentials. I remember before I started taking care of him, I kept a distance every time I saw him because he would always slobber and his abnormal behaviors would frighten me. At that time, I did not realize that he would later play a significant role in my life throughout high school and college. He basically was my inspiration in wanting to help out others and in establishing that as a goal and a career. I built up so much patience after providing care for him. Also, I became more empathetic due to having an abnormal child in my family. I am able to feel for others more than before and feel the desire to assist others to make a difference and make their lives better in any way possible.

Every compliment I receive saying what a great cousin I am makes me proud and feel even more motivated to help out those who in need and are not as fortunate as my cousin with such love and care. I wish to contribute to the community more in the future within my ability and to make a difference in one's life is my ultimate goal.

I do not have the time to participate in extracurricular activities. However, providing the best care for my younger cousin is my extracurricular activity in which I reward the most from and learn the most from. One day, I want to make a difference. One day, I will make my parents proud and finish the dream they never had before.