Prompt:
"We know that diversity makes us a better university -- better for learning, for teaching, and for conducting research."
(U-M President Mary Sue Coleman)
Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan.
"Qi Hui, what do you want to be when you grow up?" I asked.
"A mother," she replied.
"Why?"
"I want a family."
Qi Hui is my seven-year-old mentee who comes from a dysfunctional family. Her response surprised me simply because it was beyond her age, something that not even I would contemplate. While other children had aspirations to be teachers, lawyers and doctors, all she wanted to be was a mother.
There are so many things people like myself - who have a complete family - desire. Power, wealth and status are a few to name. We need familiar love, but it not something we consciously aspire for, not when we are young and on the go at least. Yet, it is such love that can last us past retirement, when all else does not matter anymore.
This experience made me respect people from less fortunate backgrounds. They are the ones who really know what they need in life, who despite their circumstances, are determined to strive harder rather than engage in self-pity.
Having been active in community service in high school, I have encountered people like Qi Hui. Each person had different stories to tell, stories that I am more than willing to share with others. I want to be in a position to inspire them, just like how I motivated my juniors as an orientation group leader, to follow their hearts and find themselves. This is because besides my ethnicity and nationality that might help color Michigan, I want to be able to add new colors to Michigan and create a more vibrant university life for everyone.
Please help me edit this :)
"We know that diversity makes us a better university -- better for learning, for teaching, and for conducting research."
(U-M President Mary Sue Coleman)
Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan.
"Qi Hui, what do you want to be when you grow up?" I asked.
"A mother," she replied.
"Why?"
"I want a family."
Qi Hui is my seven-year-old mentee who comes from a dysfunctional family. Her response surprised me simply because it was beyond her age, something that not even I would contemplate. While other children had aspirations to be teachers, lawyers and doctors, all she wanted to be was a mother.
There are so many things people like myself - who have a complete family - desire. Power, wealth and status are a few to name. We need familiar love, but it not something we consciously aspire for, not when we are young and on the go at least. Yet, it is such love that can last us past retirement, when all else does not matter anymore.
This experience made me respect people from less fortunate backgrounds. They are the ones who really know what they need in life, who despite their circumstances, are determined to strive harder rather than engage in self-pity.
Having been active in community service in high school, I have encountered people like Qi Hui. Each person had different stories to tell, stories that I am more than willing to share with others. I want to be in a position to inspire them, just like how I motivated my juniors as an orientation group leader, to follow their hearts and find themselves. This is because besides my ethnicity and nationality that might help color Michigan, I want to be able to add new colors to Michigan and create a more vibrant university life for everyone.
Please help me edit this :)
