Prompt:
We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations and accomplished your academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenges that have most shaped your personal life and aspirations. How have these factors caused you to grow? (800 word limit)
Life is a daily metamorphosis. I was born in a diverse town with many different cultures and religions. Where I grew up, white was the minority and ethnicities such as Arab and African were the major population. I grew up in an environment of diverse culture. The kids at my elementary school came from different religious backgrounds and ethnicities. As for me, I was a mix of both. My mother was born a white Christian American and my father was born an Islamic Bosnian. I was exposed to many different ways and ideas of life.
This, my father did not like. He had his set ways and beliefs, my new and different ideas scared him. My independent thought, however, did not scare him as much as the Bosnian war. We would get calls from his mother, excited about getting a can of beans for the day, there would be gun shots firing in the background. On top of that the area we lived in began to get worse. News of robbery, stabbings, and gangs made it clear we were not safe. The feeling of guilt, anxiety and worry made my dad sick. And our financial predicament did not ease his troubles. He took out his frustrations on his family. I was too young to understand.
Though we moved to a more safe rural area, the financial troubles and abuse carried over. I was not an egg anymore. I grew into a caterpillar. My mind matured and I began to speak out. My sisters and I were kicked out of the house often. It got to the point where my mother and sisters had to stay in a shelter. I never had a feeling of belonging, never to any religious group, ethnic group nor family base. But this I found myself with friends from many different groups.
I couldn't run from myself. At some point you realize there's no more running. Changes needed to happen. If I couldn't change the things outside of me, I would transform myself. So I put myself into a cocoon. For too long was I living my life on auto pilot. I put up many walls and had many strategies to avoid the discomfort and emptiness I felt. But by shoving it further and further down would not get rid of the problem. When everything fell apart I was left in nothing but what I was trying to avoid, my feelings of self-rejection, confusion, hopelessness and loss.
Give energy to receive energy
I didn't believe in anything-- anything except myself, my potential, and my dreams. I feel curious about my inner purpose in the world. Whether it was playing sports with the boys, making clothes for my dolls, or being a finalist in my schools spelling bee, I always found talent in the things I did. As I grow up I find that my focus is still expansive. While much of my thoughts are abstract, theoretical, and philosophical, I also seek the concrete knowledge and the scientific laws that so silently run our lives. You have to know the rules to break them, and that is how new ideas form, and we have evolution.
When faced with adversity I know what it takes. You don't complain and wonder why. You use your mind, your talents, your gifts. When I couldn't afford nice clothes, I made them. When I couldn't get a job and needed money, I sold my hand-knitted hats. I have learned to be resourceful and to make the most with what I have. For having lost everything, I had a lot.
I see the big picture, and understand the little details and steps it takes to get there. I believe in my dreams. My every day is a step toward self-mastery, understanding, improvement of myself and my environment. I know to improve a society, you improve yourself first. After much introspection, long walks, and self-exploration, I was able to understand myself. By understanding myself, it enabled me to understand others. It took a long time, but I now understand and respect my father. I am over joyed to say that we now live togetherïas a family.
I jumped into the icy watersïalone and by myself. I will forever continue to search my mind and soul, diving into new avenues, testing what this life could be. I know there is a divine will working, guiding, me to new beauty, challenges and destinations.
We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations and accomplished your academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenges that have most shaped your personal life and aspirations. How have these factors caused you to grow? (800 word limit)
Life is a daily metamorphosis. I was born in a diverse town with many different cultures and religions. Where I grew up, white was the minority and ethnicities such as Arab and African were the major population. I grew up in an environment of diverse culture. The kids at my elementary school came from different religious backgrounds and ethnicities. As for me, I was a mix of both. My mother was born a white Christian American and my father was born an Islamic Bosnian. I was exposed to many different ways and ideas of life.
This, my father did not like. He had his set ways and beliefs, my new and different ideas scared him. My independent thought, however, did not scare him as much as the Bosnian war. We would get calls from his mother, excited about getting a can of beans for the day, there would be gun shots firing in the background. On top of that the area we lived in began to get worse. News of robbery, stabbings, and gangs made it clear we were not safe. The feeling of guilt, anxiety and worry made my dad sick. And our financial predicament did not ease his troubles. He took out his frustrations on his family. I was too young to understand.
Though we moved to a more safe rural area, the financial troubles and abuse carried over. I was not an egg anymore. I grew into a caterpillar. My mind matured and I began to speak out. My sisters and I were kicked out of the house often. It got to the point where my mother and sisters had to stay in a shelter. I never had a feeling of belonging, never to any religious group, ethnic group nor family base. But this I found myself with friends from many different groups.
I couldn't run from myself. At some point you realize there's no more running. Changes needed to happen. If I couldn't change the things outside of me, I would transform myself. So I put myself into a cocoon. For too long was I living my life on auto pilot. I put up many walls and had many strategies to avoid the discomfort and emptiness I felt. But by shoving it further and further down would not get rid of the problem. When everything fell apart I was left in nothing but what I was trying to avoid, my feelings of self-rejection, confusion, hopelessness and loss.
Give energy to receive energy
I didn't believe in anything-- anything except myself, my potential, and my dreams. I feel curious about my inner purpose in the world. Whether it was playing sports with the boys, making clothes for my dolls, or being a finalist in my schools spelling bee, I always found talent in the things I did. As I grow up I find that my focus is still expansive. While much of my thoughts are abstract, theoretical, and philosophical, I also seek the concrete knowledge and the scientific laws that so silently run our lives. You have to know the rules to break them, and that is how new ideas form, and we have evolution.
When faced with adversity I know what it takes. You don't complain and wonder why. You use your mind, your talents, your gifts. When I couldn't afford nice clothes, I made them. When I couldn't get a job and needed money, I sold my hand-knitted hats. I have learned to be resourceful and to make the most with what I have. For having lost everything, I had a lot.
I see the big picture, and understand the little details and steps it takes to get there. I believe in my dreams. My every day is a step toward self-mastery, understanding, improvement of myself and my environment. I know to improve a society, you improve yourself first. After much introspection, long walks, and self-exploration, I was able to understand myself. By understanding myself, it enabled me to understand others. It took a long time, but I now understand and respect my father. I am over joyed to say that we now live togetherïas a family.
I jumped into the icy watersïalone and by myself. I will forever continue to search my mind and soul, diving into new avenues, testing what this life could be. I know there is a divine will working, guiding, me to new beauty, challenges and destinations.
