Given that I was born and raised in Puerto Rico by two Haitian parents, I’ve always had a strong concern for the poor living conditions in developing countries. For this reason, I am deeply passionate for international development focused on education, human rights and health. I consider working with the Peace Corps one of the highest possible callings.
About 20 years ago my parents came to the United States from Mexico in order to give their children a better life. As I near the end of my high school career I realize now that what they wanted for my siblings and I was a fresh start from poverty and the opportunity to a higher education. While my family and I have faced numerous hardships in the past few years, we have found ways to overcome them and make the best of what we do have. Currently, I live in a single-parent household with a younger sibling.
Soon, I developed an interest in logic and literature, and eventually, I discovered philosophy, which I am passionate about still. Through philosophy, I began to adore
Ever since I can remember, I have always felt a calling to serve my country. One of the reasons for my calling of service has been the influence of my family throughout my childhood. My father was a lieutenant in the Army National Guard prior to being injured and placed a high importance on honor and commitment. In addition, one of my Great Grandfathers was a Marine Captain in the Pacific Theatre during WWII and my other Great Grandfather was seriously injured during the Battle of Guam. As a child, I looked up to my dad and grandparents because I knew that they had taken a stand to protect our country.
My parents are Vietnamese refugees that fled Vietnam after the war. My sister and I were born and raised in the Philippines for 11 years. I can speak Tagalog, Vietnamese and English. I graduated this year from University of Washington, receiving a Public Health degree. I like helping people especially immigrants because I am one myself
Learning a Life Lesson Reading A Long Way Gone, a book about child soldiers, in Sierra Leone during the 1990’s made me feel disgusted because of the treatment of the young children. Reading about the most disturbing sequence in life, dealing with children my age or under made me realize how much life means. I could not imagine ever going through anything that will determine my life well-being. This made me look forward to more in life and appreciate the life I do live, because everyone doesn't have it like I do.
The early life experience crafted me into becoming the dedicated worker I am today. Being around the successful adults in my workplace provided me visual of how I wanted my future to be. This memorable experience widened my perception of the true meaning of childhood. Although it turned out to be beneficial I found out it was even better because it enabled me to help my mom and provide for our
The experience at school was a defining life moment for the transition because it caused me to be an independent individual. The school had a very demanding level of study with a very burdensome load of work. With this big work load I was taught, and learned, how to work at professional level in both my academics and my artistic requirements. I also had to learn how to get my work done and also practice my vocal technique in a timely fashion while keeping my mind and body healthy.
We were given the opportunity to come to the United States by an organization called The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and we took it without a second thought. There are many kids in Nepal and all over the world who are not even be fortunate enough to go to school and I am going to school in the United States of America. My parents are my inspiration to become a pharmacist because I know that they have gone through very hard times to make sure that my siblings and I don’t go through the same problems. The refugee camp I grew up in is also inspired me to become a pharmacist and contribute to the people that are in
When I was seven, I asked my mom why she had come to America from Ethiopia. She told me that she had come so that I could have things that she didn’t, get the education she couldn’t, and see and do things she wouldn’t. I told her that I was going to make her proud and even though I was seven, I was stubborn, and set my goals high and worked hard. I will forever remember my mother crying as I got my college acceptance letters. Now, as a junior at Old Dominion College as an international affairs major, I’m setting to make her proud again.
I have been brought into a new life, this experience has brought me to overcome obstacles that I never would have been able to do
When my mother's dad passed away from a brain aneurysm it was very hard on her. She was very close with her father, and she loved him very much. She became lost, and slightly out of it for a few weeks it was a sad time ,and tough time for my family we were devastated. When this tragedy occurred in my family my mother flew to new york where he lived for the funeral, and so did the rest of the family. I realized then that no matter how busy the family was, when this happened we came together to console one another.
I learned how to be a great swimmer, I learned some phrases in German and Italian, and I also grew relationships with my long distance family members. It may not have seemed apparent to me the moment it happened, but my first two hours in a different country played the biggest affect on me as a person. A vacation that was intended to be fun for me ended up being so much more than that, this vacation opened my eyes to all of the other people, places, and things in this world. In two hours that could go by as the seemingly most unimportant time of the trip, I was able to mature and flourish more than I ever have in my
A: During my Peace Corps service 3 professional attributes I plan to use are human centered design, project / program management, and Outreach coordination.
This event showed me the joy of volunteering and established a love within me that still has not died. These two factors are why I will never forget this event, and why it inspires me to