Chicago Bridges: Childhood Fears to Educational Aspirations by Karina

Chicago Bridges: Childhood Fears to Educational Aspirations by Karina - November 2023 Scholarship Essay

“Okay, just tell me which one of these bridges you would like to live under. I can drop you off now.” Those were the exact words my mom told me when I was eight years old as we drove down the busy streets of Chicago. I had just mentioned I did not want to go to college, assuring her I would be okay with a high school diploma. At that point, tears started to form, and I cried the remainder of the way home, wondering why my mom would ever leave me under a bridge.
I may have exaggerated a bit back then, but I was only in third grade; how was I supposed to know any better? I am all grown up and currently pursuing a nutrition and dietetics degree. Now, I have the opportunity to study abroad in Spain, which is an opportunity I would have never imagined possible (especially for eight-year-old me). For as long as I can remember, I have appreciated different cultures’ food and diet, so a chance to study the Mediterranean diet in one of the countries it originated from would be an absolute dream! Anyone can look online or in books about this particular diet, but I want to immerse myself in a rich culture that can teach me more about it than any book or website could. Not only that, but an experience like this would actively teach me about a different culture and its diversity. Why do I want to go to college? So I do not miss out on such a fantastic opportunity.
My mom taught me always to seize every opportunity. My mom comes from an immigrant household where education was not much of a priority; providing for the family came first. I know not everyone in the world is as fortunate to receive an education of any kind, especially as a woman. I could always tell how that shaped the way she raised me and my siblings regarding school and our education. She put everything aside to provide a good life for me and my sisters and eventually went back to complete a degree in nursing. Because of her, I developed a passion and appreciation for my learning and the chances my education has provided me. She now has two daughters pursuing degrees in the health care system just like her. Why do I want to go to college? To set an example for my two younger sisters and make my mom proud.
I am well aware now that my mom was not actually going to leave me anywhere, not then and not now. However, it was still scary to think about at eight years old. At that exact moment, I knew college was my best option. Why do I want to go to college? Simply put, to ensure my mom does not leave me under a bridge in Chicago.