Prompt #1 Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
When I wait for my bus after school, I am constantly pleasantly amazed by what I see. As I sit on the bench, I often watch the people go by. Young metropolitan men riding their bikes alongside the traffic. A homeless man pushing his grocery cart filled with plastic bottles and cans. Successful looking women with business attire and a newspaper under their arms. Muslim women wearing burkas and long black dresses. The list could go on, and that is what amazes me. To live in a city where diversity pouring out from every corner. No one takes a second glance at each other. It is just normal.
Living in Oakland, California, a part of the greater Bay Area, is a blessing to me. The Bay Area, also including cities such as Berkeley and San Francisco, is the true definition of diversity. I love the fact that when I step out of my door, I will see a person of every race, a building devoted to a different faith, and even differences in sexual orientation. Being raised in this environment has, in a sense, made me blind. For example, I have a close knit group of five friends. One is Chinese, one is Mexican, one is black, one is white, and the other mixed. This did not happen on purpose; it is just the way things operate here.
My eyes were opened though after taking a class in eleventh grade called Perspectives on Diversity. This class intrigued me and I even earned an award in the class at the end of the year. A major point I came away with from that class is that some children are not exposed to my environment and see that the only way to be successful is to either be white, or be a drug dealer. Learning unfortunate realities like that reminded me that I am lucky to be a strong minded person; confident that I am capable of making a clear and successful path for myself even though I am the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants. I have no doubt that I can do anything I strive for in life if i work hard enough. With enough effort, I can earn respect from others despite my race and gender. The Bay Area has influenced my relationships with people, my thoughts on issues, and almost everything else for the positive. I cannot imagine calling any place else home.
Please let me know what to change or improve!
It is better to add a verb and give these fragments the power of complete sentences:
Young metropolitan men ride their bikes alongside the traffic. A homeless man is pushing...
is the true definition of diversity--- no, not definition... it's the epitome of diversity, maybe. A definition, though, is a definition, which is different.
I have no doubt that I can do anything I strive for in life if i work hard enough. --- it would be good to rewrite this sentence so that instead of referring to "anything I strive for" it refers to some specific goal associated with the field you might enter. Even if you are not sure what you want to do for a career, say something specific here.
:-)
