I was born and raised in Schenectady, New York, where the area is negatively influenced by gangs, drugs, and crimes. Having lived there all my life, I’ve witnessed firsthand how people continuously struggle to live a decent life. I see homeless people by the freeway with only a blanket to sleep on desperately begging for change so they can eat. I watch my family members work hard to provide for their family. As I walk down familiar streets each day, I see walls tagged with graffiti from local neighborhood crews who have no future. Many young people in my community end up choosing the wrong path by dropping out of school, getting pregnant, or living off of the government. I am hungry for more than this, I want to be the individual that will set the example that nothing is impossible to achieve.
Someday, I dream of becoming a surgeon who will help my community with the medical services and knowledge I plan to obtain later by going to college. I know many people in my community cannot afford to pay for health insurance and have to wait for a long time to get services. Personally, my family experiences this every time we are sick or try to go for a checkup. By going back to help my community I can help the people that live the lifestyle I grew up in. I know it will be the best feeling to work in an environment where I can give back to my community.
As bad as it seems, my community has been a place that has taught me great lessons. It has shown me that education is the only way out. My community has been my motivation to stay in school and work hard to become someone successful. It has influenced me not to give up on life and accomplish everything I set my mind to. I am proud to say that this is the place that I call home. A place where horrible things happen, but has made me the stronger person I am today who can face any obstacle that is thrown in my path.
My goal is to graduate from high school and receive higher education than my parents and become a first-generation college student. I will attend a 4-year university that offers an excellent medical program. My goal is to become a cardiothoracic surgeon after graduating from a prestigious university and medical school. I would like to stay in my home state as my first option so I can be close to my family. It’s important to stay in my home state because I would like to keep a close relationship with my parents and brothers. My future is bright, and not only will I make my family and my community proud; I am making myself proud as well.
