Lifelong Learning by Rebecca

Lifelong Learning by Rebecca - March 2018 Scholarship Essay

From the moment we are born we begin to learn. As we grow older, we attend elementary school, middle school, and eventually high school. Many people hope to continue their education in college. Education is important. The important thing to remember at any age, we can always learn more. School is the most common way to learn. Teachers spend their lives helping students of all ages learn various subjects. I dream of living in a community where each person is valued and cared for so they can continue to learn in the healthiest way possible I want to attend college to learn and earn an education in the field of Psychology so I can help treat this serious issue. I want to help people identify their destructive habits and addictions to achieve better mental health. I want to be a catalyst for a solution to creating healthier homes, schools, and neighborhoods.
As a 14-year-old, my parents allowed me to travel to the hills of Western Guatemala with a group of students to build stoves in people’s homes. I saw firsthand the poverty and dangerous conditions these beautiful people lived in. They had dirt floors with open fire pits in the middle of their homes and little ventilation. This caused breathing issues for children and
was a safety hazard. We came with supplies to build simple concrete block ovens with ventilation into their roofs. The smiles and appreciation of each family was easy to interpret despite the language barrier. I learned more on this trip than I ever learned in a classroom.
A year later, I had the opportunity to go to Ensenada, Mexico with another group and help at a Refugee Camp and Orphanage. I learned to use power tools and complete small construction projects like digging ditches, pouring concrete, and sanding and staining doors. The children I met were joyful and precious. The experience changed me. It gave me insight and direction to my future. I learned new skills I did not learn at school. I know I want to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Through traveling, I learned you can gain knowledge through more than just school. I have met people from other parts of the world living in very difficult circumstances. Despite these circumstances, I witnessed joy and kindness. I am grateful to my parents for allowing me to see this firsthand. This isn’t something I would ever learn in a book. I hope to continue this throughout my life and during my college career. I plan to study abroad for part of my college education and continue to learn about different cultures and people of the world. Traveling the world opened my eyes and I look forward to seeing more in the future!
Mother Theresa once said, "Spread your love everywhere you go." She was a woman who lived a selfless life with very little material possessions. She lived her life serving others and spreading love. She loved the unlovable. She made the world a better place one person at a time. I want to follow her example. She didn’t have a formal education but taught the world so much. While I know, we aren't all able to live as she did, I believe we can all learn from her. We can learn from all the people around us. Learning never ends.