Being a first-generation American from Ghana has been a very tough ride for me. I was born in Ohio but raised by my grandmother in Ghana. I grew up with my mother since my dad wasn’t really there most of the time so being around strong women was all I had for a family. My mother works double shifts at a hospital as a sonographer and rarely sleeps just to give me and my family a roof over our heads and food to eat. Seeing my mother devote most of her time and energy with her patients when it wasn’t needed was confusing to me when I was younger but, now I understand that she does it not for the money alone but because she always has the will to help others. Even out of the hospital she donates money to others when we are also struggling, she always puts others ahead of herself and, she lives to serve. She has inspired me to not be dependent on others for what I want to achieve which is what pushes me to try my best in school and be the best in everything I do.

Being a first-generation American from Ghana has been a very tough ride for me . I was born in Ohio but raised by my grandmother in Ghana. Ghana is a relatively small yet lively country with lots of love, strong women, and great people. I realized that it was different in other countries when I first came to America. In the US, everyone seems to be in a hurry and people rarely stop and smile or wave. It was definitely a culture shock for me since I came to America at a very young age. I grew up with my mother, grandma and aunt since my dad wasn't really there most of the time, so being around strong black women was all I had for a family. My mother works double shifts and rarely sleeps just to give me and my family a roof over our heads and food to eat. She has inspired me to not be dependent on others for what I want to achieve which is what pushes me to try my best in school and be the best in everything I put my mind to. My life was full of roller coasters and unexpected events so I always walked around with a smile on my face and heavy armor to avoid pain and lifes never ending obstacles. I first heard about anesthesia when I was watching a health seminar in school and something that really stood out to me was the fact that the goal was to eliminate pain. Pain was something that I learned to endure at such a young age and I never knew that there was a job that combines science(one of my favorite subjects) and technology to eliminate pain when someone undergoes surgery. Learning from my mother, I've understood that success(especially with black women) should come from an individual's hard work rather than relying on someone else as a source of income and happiness. Being a 16-year-old Ghanian American, I now understand that in the work area, there will be racism, sexism, and other forms of injustice I will have to eventually face but, even if the roller coaster I will be taking has some falls and turns, I will try to make the best of it while I can.

Being a first-generation American from Ghana has been a very tough ride for me . I was born in Ohio but raised by my grandmother in Ghana. Ghana is a relatively small yet lively country with lots of love, strong women, and great people. I realized that it was different in other countries when I first came to America. In the US, everyone seems to be in a hurry and people rarely stop and smile or wave. It was definitely a culture shock for me since I came to America at a very young age. I grew up with my mother, grandma and aunt since my dad wasn't really there most of the time, so being around strong black women was all I had for a family. My mother works double shifts and rarely sleeps just to give me and my family a roof over our heads and food to eat. She has inspired me to not be dependent on others for what I want to achieve which is what pushes me to try my best in school and be the best in everything I put my mind to. My life was full of roller coasters and unexpected events so I always walked around with a smile on my face and heavy armor to avoid pain and lifes never ending obstacles. I first heard about anesthesia when I was watching a health seminar in school and something that really stood out to me was the fact that the goal was to eliminate pain. Pain was something that I learned to endure at such a young age and I never knew that there was a job that combines science(one of my favorite subjects) and technology to eliminate pain when someone undergoes surgery. Learning from my mother, I've understood that success(especially with black women) should come from an individual's hard work rather than relying on someone else as a source of income and happiness. Being a 16-year-old Ghanian American, I now understand that in the work area, there will be racism, sexism, and other forms of injustice I will have to eventually face but, even if the roller coaster I will be taking has some falls and turns, I will try to make the best of it while I can.