Personal Narrative: My Socioeconomic Experiences

Throughout my childhood, I’ve been exposed to a variety of socioeconomic environments which have given me a broad world view. When I was four years old, my family emigrated from Pakistan to Detroit. My parents, who were trained physicians in Pakistan, weren’t licensed to practice in the U.S. My father became a bartender and my mother a maid to pay for our one bedroom apartment in the projects. It was difficult but my parents sheltered my brother and I the best they could. I remember when the only thing in our pantry was a jar of peanut butter and a bag of sliced bread. Times were tough, but I have the utmost respect for my parents for getting us through. I’ve also come to understand how people who live below the poverty level can survive.
After living in Detroit for three years, my mom was accepted into a residency program in Little Rock; my dad was
My mom was offered a job in Warren in the emergency room and my dad started working in the clinic next door. Before I knew it, I was dragged to a small town with a population of 6,000. Living in a small town really showed me how sparse health care was in rural areas. One way that this impacted me was the unavailability of orthodontic treatment. My mom wanted to get my brother and I braces, but nearest orthodontist was several towns over. It wasn’t viable for us to travel that far. Although I was able to get braces when my family moved back to Little Rock, millions of Americans still lack proper access to healthcare.
Through my experiences in these environments, I’ve greatly broadened my world views. I have come to understand the challenges facing people who live in impoverished urban areas as well as those in rural areas. I also appreciate the subtle and substantial differences in people from these places. By providing my mixture in thought as well as background, I can contribute to the diversity in the dental school student