Working Hard to Improve to Reach my Aspiration by Ayoob

Working Hard to Improve to Reach my Aspiration by Ayoob - March 2020 Scholarship Essay

My interest in healthcare began when I started taking care of my disabled parents. I have become an untrained physical therapist helping my father with everyday tasks that able-bodied people take for granted. This taught me an empathy that I would not have learned without this experience.
Last year I had the opportunity to participate in the “I Inspire” program at Grossmont Hospital. This program was created to educate high school students about the field of nursing. Although my job was to shadow and learn from nurses, I contributed more than that. Because I speak three languages I was called upon to do a medical translation for patients. My favorite experience was helping a patient who had a heart attack. I was allowed to observe the surgery and then translate the doctor’s words about the successful surgery to his wife. I learned how to better communicate with patients of all ages, and I observed the importance of compassionate healthcare and how it felt to truly make a difference. I look at my science classes in a new way now, seeing their importance in giving me a strong foundation of knowledge. In college, I look forward to more classes and experiences teaching me to be the kind of healthcare provider I was able to work with in this life-changing experience.
My other interest is in communications. In high school, I found a new way to communicate by taking the Arts Media and Entertainment (AME) class. My teacher recognized my aptitude and I became the official photographer for the summer HOPE Program. This project aimed to help students that were new to the country to develop English skills and learn from project-based lessons. My video helped promote my school and allowed families to see the rapid progress of their children. Students arrived isolated and afraid to communicate; however, because I was able to speak their languages they became more open. I was able to serve as a role model and together we embraced and celebrated their diversity and their dreams.
I have a strong interest in medicine and a talent for video communications. I am also trilingual. I envision combining my interest and talent into excellent healthcare for non-English speaking patients. I plan to pursue a public health degree to fulfill my goals after college graduation. Ideally, one day I will be able to open up a non-profit clinic for people who don’t have healthcare.