Personal Essay: My Nonconventional Experience

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been living under the influence of something more potent than alcohol or drugs and it’s been addicting! As a third culture kid I’ve been raised “under the influence” of varying cultures for my entire life and have had some tremendous life experiences such as watching volcano ash fall from the sky after an eruption and listening to the call to prayer of different religions in several countries. My nonconventional upbringing has shaped who I am and will continue to do so. I’ve traveled more than most, am fluent in a second language and have lived the lifestyle of an expatriate. My time growing up in Venezuela, Guatemala and Saudi Arabia has been more than just collecting souvenirs. It’s a treasury
These laborers support their families by working long hours and meager wages. They have little or no formal education and virtually no chance of a better life without one. Spending time with the workers that I’ve befriended in my compound has made me fully aware of how blessed and fortunate I am to be able to go to school. I’m convinced I have a promising future. I’m grateful for it, but shamelessly there have been a few times when I have taken my studies for granted by not putting forth as much effort as I could have or by complaining about having to get up early for class. All that has changed though. Knowing the extreme sacrifices that the poor make to provide for their loved ones has changed my attitude and thinking. Sadly, I’ve witnessed individuals do whatever it takes to survive. It’s my hope that someday I can help people acquire the literacy skills needed for a better life either through charitable service or by making generous monetary contributions to organizations that support literacy. Nelson Mandela said it best, “Education is the most important weapon we have to change the world.” This realization drives me to appreciate the life I live, cherish the circumstances I have and to take advantage of the countless number of opportunities I’ll encounter in my academic journey so that I can be of service to others in my global