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.
I've led a nomadic lifestyle, dutifully following my dad wherever his work required him to be: Korea, America, Japan, Singapore. One day our family would be opening cardboard boxes and arranging our furniture, and another day we'd be wrapping everything up, a new house and community awaiting us in the next town.
We had been living in Singapore for a year when my dad was transferred to Japan. When he told me this news, I was crushed. I felt that it was too late in my high school career to switch education systems, and I also wanted to complete the IB Diploma in Singapore, as it offered a well-rounded curriculum, with a strong academic foundation. I argued my point, and to my complete surprise, my dad heeded my request, and arranged for my sister, my mother and I to remain in Singapore until I completed my high school education.
This posed many problems for my family. Because my dad no longer worked in Singapore, the company would no longer pay for our rent, bills, and school tuition. We had to move apartments, to a place where rent would be cheaper. Also, my dad hardly ever saw our family, as it was difficult for him to take leave from his job to visit us in Singapore. I would go weeks without hearing from my dad, and months without seeing him. I passed this off a temporary setback: sooner or later, our family would be back to normal again.
Also, I was far too preoccupied with my own life to see the damage the situation was doing to my family. I had my own plans and agenda; my academics were sound, my friends were fun, but when I came home late after a night out, I would see my mom sitting at the couch watching television, waiting for me. When I visited my dad in Japan during the summer was when the magnitude of the situation really struck me. He was living in a one-bedroom apartment, an hour away from work. He had to give up his car, and take the bus to the subway station, and then the subway to work. This was all my fault. If I had agreed to move to Japan, our family could have lived comfortably, as we had used to.
However, when I confronted my parents about our financial situation, they told me not to worry, and that my happiness and success was something that they would try everything in their power to afford. This touching sentiment is the motivation that drives me, that pushes me to succeed and excel. My parents are good people, and they deserve much more than I can give; which is why I want to exercise my full potential, and exceed my own boundaries to somehow repay them for the enormous inspiration they provide.
I've led a nomadic lifestyle, dutifully following my dad wherever his work required him to be: Korea, America, Japan, Singapore. One day our family would be opening cardboard boxes and arranging our furniture, and another day we'd be wrapping everything up, a new house and community awaiting us in the next town.
We had been living in Singapore for a year when my dad was transferred to Japan. When he told me this news, I was crushed. I felt that it was too late in my high school career to switch education systems, and I also wanted to complete the IB Diploma in Singapore, as it offered a well-rounded curriculum, with a strong academic foundation. I argued my point, and to my complete surprise, my dad heeded my request, and arranged for my sister, my mother and I to remain in Singapore until I completed my high school education.
This posed many problems for my family. Because my dad no longer worked in Singapore, the company would no longer pay for our rent, bills, and school tuition. We had to move apartments, to a place where rent would be cheaper. Also, my dad hardly ever saw our family, as it was difficult for him to take leave from his job to visit us in Singapore. I would go weeks without hearing from my dad, and months without seeing him. I passed this off a temporary setback: sooner or later, our family would be back to normal again.
Also, I was far too preoccupied with my own life to see the damage the situation was doing to my family. I had my own plans and agenda; my academics were sound, my friends were fun, but when I came home late after a night out, I would see my mom sitting at the couch watching television, waiting for me. When I visited my dad in Japan during the summer was when the magnitude of the situation really struck me. He was living in a one-bedroom apartment, an hour away from work. He had to give up his car, and take the bus to the subway station, and then the subway to work. This was all my fault. If I had agreed to move to Japan, our family could have lived comfortably, as we had used to.
However, when I confronted my parents about our financial situation, they told me not to worry, and that my happiness and success was something that they would try everything in their power to afford. This touching sentiment is the motivation that drives me, that pushes me to succeed and excel. My parents are good people, and they deserve much more than I can give; which is why I want to exercise my full potential, and exceed my own boundaries to somehow repay them for the enormous inspiration they provide.