Medicine by Anayah

Medicine by Anayah - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

As a Ghanaian American, visiting Ghana for the first time was a life-changing experience in the sixth grade over my summer break. All my life, I was told that Ghana was this extraordinary place and part of me wanted to believe that but it contradicted what I learned in school. The kids in school said Africa has no water and that they live in huts, so that's what I assumed even though those individuals had never stepped foot on the continent. I was always taught never to be ashamed of my culture. However, if I were to mention my Ghanaian culture in school, I would be called names like “African booty scratcher” or any of the other names they came up with daily so I decided to identify solely as an African American. That was until 2019, when I stepped foot in Ghana for the first time and it was an experience I’ll never forget. The authenticity of the culture was something I didn't know I was seeking. The time period I went was also deemed “The Year of Return,” so the African Americans I had once identified with were now getting back in touch with their African roots. This trip was significant in shaping my future endeavors for my pursuit of becoming a surgeon, seeing people with so little being able to be happy regardless of their situation was impactful. Despite the comments about my culture, I am proud of my heritage.
Being in medicine is a job that makes you realize your blessings, and allows you to look at your problems as trivial when others are fighting for survival. I want to make a difference in the world and leave my imprint, not settling for anything else than a life filled with purpose. I have a vision of the person I want to become and I'm going to work hard to fulfill it. Medicine is the only career I've been able to envision myself doing. I am striving to become a surgeon not only to help people but also for those who don't have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. With this profession, as a woman of color, I hope to work in communities much like my own where I can engage with the community through medicine. I plan to open a clinic advocating for people of color to get essential medical care, meshing my medical and entrepreneurial aspirations together. I know this process will be very long and have been told there are easier ways to be financially successful, but the things I have experienced in life have shaped the trajectory of my life. It’s not fueled by the desire for financial gain but I have a genuine desire to help others who cannot help themselves, aiming to engage and uplift the communities that I serve. This scholarship will not only be a financial relief but also an investment in my future academic journey and aspirations. It may seem incomprehensible to some as to why I would go through all the debt, stress, and sacrifices this profession demands. But to me, there are two types of pain, the pain of regret and the pain of pursuing one's dreams. This journey toward my dream job of being a surgeon has been one of the hardest and most stressful things I have chosen for myself. But as continue my path as a biology major and pre-medical student. I am confident that in the end, it will be worth it, as it will enable me to save lives for the rest of my life.