Harry & Mary Sheaffer Scholarship

I was born in a small city, Neyriz in Iran. I secured 36th rank in the Konkur, the national entrance exam with a perfect score in math (100/100). I was accepted into Tehran Medical School. I have always loved math, but women pursuing math in my family and society was not acceptable. After one month and all the advice from my professors and friends, I decided to apply to study in the USA to continue my dream. I had difficult days getting permission from my family to study in the USA. Finally, I got a full scholarship from De Anza college. Hope and hard work are two important aspects of my life. When I was 19, I traveled to Pakistan with 27 other Iranian students to obtain a U.S. visa due to the lack of a U.S. Embassy in my country. I returned to Iran by car as airlines weren’t flying because of COVID. During this time, a terrorist group bombed the border province, killing nine girls. Despite the danger, I had no choice but to pass through that area to return home on time to maintain my flight and admission. I presented a plan to all the other students and organized transportation and food for two days. Despite being the youngest person in our group, I led us through this trip, and we managed to safely return to Iran. What motivated me throughout this risky trip was my dream of becoming a free woman scientist in mathematics, inspired by my role model, Maryam Mirzakhani. I moved to the USA by myself as a person who did not have any family or friends here. I enrolled at De Anza College to study mathematics in Fall 2022 and I received my AS-T in math and computer science in Spring 2024. In the Fall of 2022, the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement began in Iran. My friends and family protested in the streets for basic women's rights, and the Iranian government arrested them. And then, the government shut down the internet, and my connection to Iran was cut-off and I felt I was alone in the world. I had to manage my life and continue my education without even knowing if the people I cared about were still alive. During these 2 years in De Anza, I took various math, CS and science courses which led me to become a senior math, statistics, chemistry, and biology tutor at the Student Success Center at De Anza. I was intrigued by the applications of math in different areas, especially in computational fields. I realized the importance of math in every subject, leading me to create the AI World Club at De Anza to explore the intersection of math and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). I aim to pursue my bachelor's degree in math, and work towards completing PhD in math and computational science. I have been accepted in all Universities I applied, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz and I will go to UC Berkeley to study Applied Math and minor in Computer Science. Also, I am the AI and Machine learning full time intern in Stanford in Summer 2024. This scholarship allows me to stay and study here. It is my only hope to pursue my dream major at my dream school. For the past two years, I have worked 19 hours per week to cover living expenses while studying hard to maintain my scholarships. Winning it would be an unforgettable milestone. Thank you for your all support.

Growing up, my grandma's health struggles had impacted my decision when it came to deciding on my future career, nursing. Having to witness her confusion in the hospital where no staff spoke any Spanish, and if they did, it was significantly poor, had shown me a critical gap in patient care when it came to the Latin community. It wasn't until I had visited her that I could explain to her what each medication was for, which left her shocked as she did not know what any of them hardly were. This emphasized the need for clearer communication in a healthcare setting. This experience has not only fueled my determination to become a nurse who wants to be a bridge, filling in these gaps for language barriers but also to provide compassionate care to patients of diverse backgrounds. I would never want anyone else to feel like my grandmother, to be left in the dark of her care until a family member came around to translate it. I want to be part of a healthcare community that can offer beneficial translation services and ensure that the patients fully understand the treatment plans and instructions they are given. This will not only help improve their health outcome but will also strengthen the trust between healthcare providers and their patients. My grandmother's experience has shown the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare. Every patient deserves and needs to be treated with respect and understanding of their own beliefs. I plan on educating myself on different cultures, aiming to create an all-inclusive environment where such diversity is celebrated and integrated into patient care. I am committed to speaking out for the changes in healthcare systemic policies, including the push for better language access in hospitals and clinics. I want to advocate for the availability of translators. These efforts are important in ensuring all patients, no matter what their background is, receive the proper care. My grandma's constant battle with her illnesses and her struggle with understanding some of her medications due to language barriers have shaped me to go towards nursing. I am determined to use my unique skills and empathy to build a system where the differences in languages are no longer a barrier for patients to receive quality care. By encouraging the system to adopt clearer communication skills, cultural understanding, and changes within its policy, I plan on aiming to contribute to an inclusive and empathetic community for proper patient care.

As a first-generation college student, I have personally experienced the unique challenges and barriers that come with pursuing higher education. Growing up in a family where no one had attended college before, I had to navigate the unfamiliar territory of the academic world on my own. However, this journey has instilled in me a deep sense of resilience, determination, and a passion for creating a more empathetic and understanding global community. One of my unique talents and skills lies in my ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and foster understanding among different perspectives. Coming from a family where cultural traditions and values were deeply ingrained, I have developed a keen appreciation for the richness of different cultures and a desire to bridge the gaps between them. Through my involvement in campus organizations and community initiatives, I have actively sought opportunities to promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity. By organizing cultural awareness events, facilitating dialogue sessions, and engaging in cross-cultural collaborations, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of fostering empathy and understanding. In today's interconnected world, it is crucial to break down barriers and promote empathy on a global scale. I believe that education is the key to achieving this goal. With my passion for learning and my commitment to making a difference, I am determined to use my college education to contribute to the building of a more empathetic and understanding global community. I plan to leverage my unique talents and skills in various ways to fulfill this vision. As an undergraduate student, I intend to actively engage in courses and extracurricular activities that promote cultural understanding, social justice, and global perspectives. By immersing myself in subjects like sociology, international relations, and intercultural communication, I will deepen my knowledge of the complexities of our global society and develop the critical thinking skills needed to address its challenges. Furthermore, I recognize the power of storytelling and the arts in fostering empathy and understanding. Through my creative writing and involvement in theater and spoken word performances, I aim to give voice to marginalized communities and shed light on their experiences. I believe that storytelling has the power to humanize issues, challenge stereotypes, and inspire compassion. By sharing narratives that often go untold, I hope to encourage dialogue, promote social change, and build bridges of understanding among diverse individuals and communities. Moreover, I am committed to giving back to my community and uplifting others who face similar challenges. As a mentor to first-generation college students, I will provide guidance, support, and encouragement to navigate the complexities of higher education. By sharing my own experiences and serving as a source of inspiration, I hope to empower others to pursue their dreams and overcome the obstacles they may encounter. Receiving this scholarship would not only alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with pursuing higher education but also serve as a validation of my potential to make a positive impact in the world. With the support provided by this scholarship, I will be able to dedicate more time and energy to my studies, extracurricular activities, and community engagement, further honing my skills and talents to build a more empathetic and understanding global community. In conclusion, as a first-generation college student, I am deeply aware of the challenges faced by individuals in similar circumstances. Through my unique talents, skills, and experiences, I am determined to contribute to the creation of a more empathetic and understanding global community. By embracing diversity, fostering dialogue, and empowering others, I believe that together we can build a world that values empathy, inclusivity, and compassion.