georgia tech essay [taking a year off school before attending college]

comments suggestions much appreciated thank you

"If you were to delay going to college by one year, what would you do with that time? And, what would you hope to gain from that experience?"

If I was able to take a year off school before attending college I would choose to spend that time travelling and exploring the far country of China. I would take the time to explore some of the historical landmarks that has instill awe in the hearts of people, I want to visit such landmarks like the Great wall and also visit Beijing's most treasure jewel, ancient china's most revered location known as the forbidden city home to the emperors of china. Also during the course of my travel to this land of mystery I would further improve my linguistic knowledge of Mandarin, china's national language, so that I may better communicate with the china's inhabitants.

What I hope to gain from this experience, aside from the knowledge I hope to gain about this mysterious nation that I know really little about, is a better sense of my own Chinese identity. I moved to America at a young age which gave me little opportunity to learn about my own national heritage aside from what little I've learned from my parents, this experience would open my eyes to a treasure trove of knowledge about the history of my native country. I also hope that this trip would unveil unto me an idea of how much there is to explore and experience in this world. I hope to be overwhelm with ambivalent feelings of insignificance and inspiration, because of the realization of what little knowledge I have about the world about how much there is to learn from that of a classroom. From this realization I hope to be inspired to learn to be inspired to further understand this still mysterious world of ours.

that has instill(ed) awe in the hearts of people

...I want to visit such landmarks like the Great wall and also visit Beijing's most treasure jewel, ancient china's most revered location known as the forbidden city home to the emperors of china. (break it up into more sentences)

...linguistic knowledge of Mandarin ==> my mandarin

...so that I may better communicate with the (C)hina's inhabitants.

...What I hope to gain from this experience, aside from the knowledge I hope to gain about this mysterious nation that I know really little about, is a better sense of my own Chinese identity.

help any?

If you were to delay going to college by one year, what would you do with that time? And, what would you hope to gain from that experience?

I am very much in favor of the "gap year" for students who want to take a break from school. As like a lot of my cousins, friends, and neighbors, we have all been working religiously since third grade to get into the best schools possible. However, I want to continue from high school directly to college. My plan is to balance studying with relaxation.

In the event, I was required to take a year off, I would like to experience what my family, especially my father, refers to as "la vita semplice "or the simple life. My understanding of this phrase is a way of life where relationships are simple and honest, work is straightforward and doable, food is uncomplicated but tasty, and life doesn't present things too difficult to deal with.

My father and his family left a very small town in Sicily, Italy in the late 1950's. Dad was only 8 years old. His family settled in the Bronx, he learned English, went to college, got married (to a non-Italian), started a family, and has achieved success by many people's standards.

Primarily, my mother and father have given their guidance to me with unspoken but definite recommendations about the next thing I should be doing. Through my family's efforts, I have been given a terrific life, gone to excellent schools, worked hard, and haven't wanted for much. However, pretty much of my life is scheduled.

I have always listened to my dad, grandfather, and aunts talk about the old town. There always has been a kind of reverential tone taken when talking about how things used to be. What I have learned is that in my father's birthplace, Sortino, people knew and trusted everyone. Residents of the town worked during the day, mostly doing tasks that did not require a college degree but a sense of pride. At night, week-ends or on holidays, people visited with one another, ate meals together, and spent time doing nothing. This is a big contrast to how I live now. While not unhappy, I don't know what it would be like to have no goals looming before me.

It could be fun to work for a year as a waiter in a small trattoria or as a farm hand on an olive grove or in a vineyard. I believe that this type of life has a lot of benefits. A person could be exhausted from work, but not nervous about his job. Or, a small income could mean less purchases but more appreciation of what existed. I suppose that mostly what you have in life are your family and a few good friends. The type of life in a small town seems to foster the appreciation of the basics.

My family has traveled a few times to Sortino, and I see a very slight tug in my father's face. He is happy with the way life has unfolded for him and his children. However, I sense that he would like to return to this life before America every now and then.

The town seems very modern in some ways. Internet access, flat screen TV's, and travel is not unheard from the people living in Sortino. However, I noticed that everyone put a premium on paying attention to people. Things are not done by rote. Each encounter seems important to the person you are talking to.

Even if I do not have a year of living simply, I do try to keep in touch with my family's small town values. I hope I can be a lawyer who doesn't multi-task constantly or an economist who remembers to ask and wait for an answer about how a client's children are doing.