Living beyond Ourselves by Samaya

Living beyond Ourselves by Samaya - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

From a young age, I learned an important lesson: we are not on this planet to satisfy ourselves. Instead, we are meant to live out of service to God and others. My parents showed me this through their everyday actions, teaching me that a life focused on helping others is the best way to live.
I spent the first several years of life in Guatemala, where my parents worked as missionaries. I was surrounded by a loving extended family (my Dad’s family lives in Guatemala) who also served in the name of God. My parents worked with street youth, sharing meals and messages of love. They showed that even in difficult situations, everyone deserves to be seen and loved. I remember helping my parents serve food and do projects. My favorite project was the camera project. Each participant took pictures of their life for one week that culminated with a public photography exhibit. You are seen, you are loved, you are an important part of the community. Through these experiences, I learned that faith is not just about words but also taking action. The people I was surrounded by focused on being examples of kindness and compassion. These lessons became core to who I am.
After a break in the States, we moved to Venezuela. This transition was both scary and exciting. I arrived in a place where I didn’t know anyone, which made me feel anxious, but I also saw it as an exciting adventure. There were new kids to befriend, mango trees to climb, a new school system to learn, and food scarcity and political uncertainty to navigate. Living and walking side by side Venezuelans, in the midst of shared challenges, my parents continued to love and serve others. Serving others, living beyond self, is part of who I am.
Over the past few years, I’ve discovered various ways to live beyond myself. As the captain of my soccer team, I’ve learned that to be a successful leader I have to do it beyond just words. I have learned to lead through my actions both on and off the field. I strive to create an environment where each team member is heard and valued while also still being led. I have learned to adapt my communication style to connect with each teammate. Outside of soccer, I have participated in several missions trips with my church, where I’ve had the opportunity to serve others in various ways. From doing work projects and visiting orphans to sharing God’s love and sharing an encouraging word, I have learned to love and serve others in both word and action. Serving others, living beyond self, is part of who I am.
Physical therapy will be my way of serving others, a calling that has been and will continue to be a significant part of my life. I believe that everyone deserves to take care of the one body they are born with. I have learned how to take care of my body, with the guidance of others, and I want to share this with others so they too can build and maintain a healthy body and lifestyle. My goal is to help individuals feel comfortable in their body. Beyond my desire to help, I am fascinated by the human body and its ability to recover and strengthen itself. The combination of a call to serve and my passion to walk with others in their body’s healing journey drives me to pursue a career in physical therapy. Serving others, living beyond self, will always be part of who I am.