Reflective Essay: Personal Identity

Children are passed down 23 chromosomes from each parent to determine their DNA, however in addition to this, I believe that I inherited much more than the visible aspects of my genetic makeup. I inherited a profound curiosity and ambition to pursue the goals I set for myself. Consequentially, this contributes to the way I view the world around me, which derives from my cultural background. Since I started talking as a child, I spoke solely English to my father and Spanish to my mother which seemed to be second nature to me. I initially did not question the reasons that I incorporated both Mexican and American traditions into my life, but now I recognize how my identity has been shaped through my unique upbringing. Walking into my Kindergarten classroom was a quick awakening of the fact that I differed from others around me. I walked into school eager to share with others about the presents I received from the Three Wise Men as a result of the Mexican tradition that was celebrated at my house earlier that morning. Being the 6 year old self I was, I ran up to my friends to brag about my toys and

I have visited my mothers hometown in Mexico several times, and each moment there reminds me of where a major part of me comes from and of the importance of being true to my identity. I have grown to love exploring new countries and expanding my knowledge of other cultures apart from mine. This aspect has introduced a profound curiosity in getting to know more of the world, and has fermented a motivation to leave an impact behind. Through the gift of being bilingual, I have been able to communicate with a wider variety of people which has sparked new opportunities for me. I believe that my mixed heritage has played a role in my determination to pursue a career that works with people of all backgrounds, specifically in the medical