I am BLESSED by Emma

I am BLESSED by Emma - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

I discovered a truth during the summer of 2015 that had been previously untouched in my life; I am a blessed young woman. By this I am not necessarily referring to physical appearance or financial situation, but a much larger blessing that most people that I have come into contact with share. I am a natural-born American citizen, and therefore receive benefits that many young women around the world do not. Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to pursue a free education without obstacles. A very famous example of the international fight for education is the story of Malala Yousafzai, who said, “I speak not for myself but for those without voice... those who have fought for their rights... their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated.” I find the contrast between American students and second/third world students to be quite ironic; we complain, protest, dread, and even hate an institution that they yearn for.
Upon discovering what my blessing was, I decided that my New Year’s Resolution would be to appreciate opportunities that I normally take for granted. In this way, I am transforming myself as a student. I have been provided with the chance to attend a public school up until my high school graduation, and am now faced with the opportunity to further my education. Any lack of motivation to study seems like a ridiculous problem, considering the fact that young people in developing countries have little to no material to learn. It is easy to see the fault in a system that expects each student to perform the same way, especially when we forget the struggles that others go through to get where we are. School is not a waste, but a privilege. Education is one of the most valuable things a person can have. Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." So even though the education system in American is not perfect, I am choosing to appreciate that we have one at all. If my greatest struggle in furthering my education is student loans, then I consider that to be a HUGE blessing and I believe Malala would too. I will no longer take education for granted; I will try my absolute best in school starting in 2016 and continuing throughout my college life.