College Essay: DRAFT

UC Berkley:
Describe the world you came from – for example, your family, community or school – and tell us how your world shaped your dreams and aspirations.

      Knowing my parents moved to the United States from China, unfamiliar with the culture and language, I had a feeling it would affect me in all ways possible. They taught my brothers and I everything within their range of knowledge, for example, Chinese traditions, manners, etc. However, in areas dealing with the English language or anything American, it was just so out of their reach. I was raised as if I was born in China because that is what my parents are used to. I lacked certain skills that most kids are taught at an instant. That means if I wanted to learn something different, like English, it had to be on my own and most of the time it wasn't easy. I appreciate what they had to offer, but in most cases it just wasn't enough. 

      When it came to school it was a dreadful six hours of my day. Immediately, I was behind from most of my classmates. I had to be placed in special classes that weren't to my liking and separated me from my friends. Instead of feeling downgraded I was encouraged to work harder. My parents were never strict in making sure I get my work done or that I get straight-A's. They sort of just let me take care of what I needed to do. Let me be in charge of my own learning. Without pressuring me was the best way for me to become successful. In a short period of time I was told I could return to my normal classes because I reached the same level of knowledge as those of my own age. Within a few months I was able to accomplish something others take years to overcome. I was proud of myself. Soon enough I was one of the top students in my grade. This was the event that really jump-started me being confident in myself. It made me realize what I was capable of if I put my mind to it. 

      Nonetheless, I was constantly being underestimated, even with my own aunties, uncles, and cousins. They knew the conditions I grew up in, so they created false accusations to bring me down. It didn't benefit me in any way, but put me to tears unnecessarily. I knew I was not what they described me as and I showed that in my elementary years, but they weren't the people I would tell everything to. I wanted to accomplish something beyond their standards of me to really prove them wrong. Something crazy like graduating as summa cum laude or even valedictorian. Till this day I am still in the works at achieving those goals.

They underestimated me, my own family. That's something I never expected from the people I loved. Regardless what they said, I couldn't let it get the best of me. I took their negative comments and used it as motivation. I had to begin with English, the basis of everything. Everyday, whether it was before or once I got home from school, I would spend hours watching TV, and not just for fun or to get away with doing homework, but to listen and comprehend what they were teaching. Educational shows on Disney, Nikelodeon, and PBS is what I lived off of. I know it might sound so childish, but believe it or not, it gave me the knowledge to learn an entire language on my own. That's something I never thought I was ever capable of. Of course that is not all I did. Starting conversations with others was how I applied what I learned to real life. I was determined, and when I am determined I do not back down until what I want is fulfilled. At an early age I set goals. Goals that seemed quite extreme, but were necessary in my situation.

     My parents did not give me enough of what I needed in life, but I could not blame them. All I could do was make the best of it and learn from my experiences. As the years went by, I began to think about my future. College, a job, and starting a family. I began fantasizing about what a perfect life would be like, had a reality check, then created goals in my head to hopefully achieve in the surprisingly-near future. Thinking about what I had to go through as a kid I could not imagine having my own children going through the same or something anywhere along those lines. I have been through it and, sure enough, it was not fun, almost stressful at times. I made it a must that I attend university to further my knowledge in a particular area. Obtaining a well-paying job is what I feel is most important to support my family in all their wants and needs. I will make it my duty to give them the lives I was never exposed to. Although my parents didn't raise me how it would have liked to, it shaped me into the person I am today.