tiffanybrown 1 / - Oct 3, 2012 #1Having lived in New York City for the early part of my life, I have not always been surrounded by a diverse group of people. I lived in a predominately Hispanic and Jewish neighborhood until the age of five. The playgrounds were filled with many children that didn't look or speak like me. At times it was very hard for me to make friends because everyone around me either spoke a different language or had different customs. I felt like an outsider in my own community trying to figure out why I was so different from everyone else. My parents would always say that "everyone was created the same and should be treated the same no matter how they looked." This statement stuck in my head and eventually I learned that this would be something I'd have to deal with.Finally my parents made a big decision; we were moving to Teaneck NJ. I was excited to start school, make new friends, and live in one of the most diverse towns in New Jersey. I vowed to make the best of my experience and give every challenge my all. Remembering the hardships I had in New York, I tried to become more outgoing and involved in this new community. I discovered that I had a passion for the medical field and helping people. To further explore this passion, in my freshman year I began to volunteer in the elementary schools helping to tutor and babysit the children. I also assisted my father at his job which consisted of me helping older people with disabilities. These experiences helped me realize that I was meant to be in the medical field helping people.Eventually in tenth grade I landed a job at the Teaneck Public Library and I have been working there throughout my high school career. While working there I have come across many different people from various backgrounds. I have met people from countries I've never heard of and even learned about traditions and customs that some may consider uncommon. Being that I am constantly surrounded by many books, on my breaks I would take the time to learn more about the cultures that I have been told about. Meeting these people helped me change my perception of the world and what I may take for granted.Growing up in Teaneck for the most part of my life, all I have been surrounded by is diversity. There are so many different races and cultures in one town that I learn something new every day. Rutgers would be the perfect fit for me because although the campus is significantly larger and different than my high school it is just as diverse. I will bring my unique personality and desire for learning. I know that being surrounded by a plethora of people is going to help me understand life at Rutgers better. Rutgers would certainly help me achieve my dreams by providing me with a quality education and experience that would last a life time. My long term goal is to ultimately become a Physician Assistant. The time spent babysitting children and helping adults with disabilities made it clear that this was the profession I was intended to be in. With my unshakable determination, Rutgers's vibrant community and stellar learning opportunities I know that I can achieve my dreams.
BachChaconne2 1 / 95 19 Oct 5, 2012 #2You were, in fact, living in a diverse community. You argued that yourself when you wrote about the differences in languages and appearances of the children: "At times, it was hard to make friends because everyone either spoke a different language or practiced a foreign custom." Try viewing this paragraph from another perspective. You felt alienated because the people around you were so different. Perhaps diversity isn't the right word to use here. Perhaps you should rephrase these sentences to make your point clearer. Just a suggestion.
