“We don’t have tomorrow written,” my parents said as they made the decision to apply for a green card. That same year we got accepted and shortly had to move to the U.S., squeezing our whole lives into 4 tiny suitcases. As we arrived, I nearly had a couple weeks before I started 4th grade. Getting put in an all-English speaking class was a complete shock, leaving me doubtful on if I can ever fit in. There were many moments in which I wanted to give up, but even then, I thought of the sacrifices my parents had made for me to be here. So I made a choice, I put myself out there and pushed through with learning to understand and speak English. And within a year, I no longer had to just survive in the classroom, I was thriving in it. (a) Leaving the comforts of my home country Poland wasn’t easy; it was rather daunting. I felt as if my childhood was being taken away from me, which is why I struggled greatly at first. As a 9 year old girl in a new country, I had to press restart on my life. New language, new friends. It felt like I got dumped into cold water, with nothing to help me up other than myself. On my first day of 4th grade, I felt the blank stares kids would give me as I was introduced to the class as the only non-English speaking student. On the second day, I realized that many things set me apart from the rest. On the third, I grew to understand that I could never fit in. This setback was my biggest yet most awakening obstacle I had to go through in my educational years. (b) As my life took a 180 turn, I had to adapt to move along with it. There was no pause button that I could press in order to catch up to the kids who have lived here their whole lives. So I overcame always being the odd one out; I studied everyday, watched movies with subtitles and consistently helped my parents with their communication. Having to take on so many responsibilities at such a young age was tough, yet I believe that it reality shaped how resilient and determined I am today, with how fast I had to fit into a world so different from the one I’ve known all along. I believe I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my older sister. The things we both had to overcome in order to be in the place we are today, now her graduating from an American University in the Czech Republic, and me following her path to continue my education too, I could never have done it without her strength. Her drive to always give her all in everything she does as she was the first in our household to learn English, has really inspired me both back then as well as now. (a&b) My sister and my parents are the reason I am an individual with such a high strive for greatness, which is why I am planning on attending Florida International University starting this summer for Architecture. I hope to get my Bachelor’s degree as well as continue further to receive a Master’s degree. After my formal educational plan, I truly am hoping to do something that leaves an impact on this world, whether it is with designing buildings or something completely different, I am willing to take any road that will lead me to the right place. Although it will take a long time and drive, I believe that with my background as an immigrant and the support team I have, I can achieve anything I set my mind to, which is also why I believe that this scholarship wouldn’t just provide financial support, but a door of more opportunities for me and my educational path. For as long as I can remember, it has been engraved in my brain by my parents to appreciate everything you have in life. Which is why I have been volunteering in two Polish charity organizations since 2017 that raise money for children’s hospitals across Poland and Chicago. I believe that giving back to people who are less fortunate than me has made me a more empathetic and appreciative person, showing me a glimpse of just how much difference one can make by sacrificing time to uplift others.

“We don’t have tomorrow written,” my parents said as they made the decision to apply for a green card. That same year we got accepted and shortly had to move to the U.S., squeezing our whole lives into 4 tiny suitcases. Leaving the comforts of my home country Poland wasn’t easy; it was rather daunting. However, this decision was the only one my parents could make to ensure a greater and freer life for their two daughters. I didn’t understand it then. I felt as if my childhood was being taken away from me, which is why I struggled greatly at first. As a 9 year old girl in a new country, I had to press restart on my life. New language, new friends. It felt like I got dumped into cold water, with nothing to help me up other than the support of my family. On my first day of 4th grade, I felt the blank stares kids would give me as I was introduced to the class as the only student that didn’t speak English. Back home, I noticed just how much my parents struggled. None of us spoke fluent English, but as my sister and I were able to grasp it within a year at our schools, we took charge of many of our parents’ responsibilities. As a 9 and 12 year old, we had to help our parents restart their lives all over again. Finding jobs, learning the language, opening bank accounts. At first it was hard to find myself in an adult world, but it got easier as I grew more comfortable with the responsibilities I had to have. While my parents had to give up their jobs and lives in Poland to move here for my older sister and I, I had to give up part of my childhood to help them. Although there is nothing I could do to equal the dedication and strength it took for my parents to move to the U.S., I know that I want to not only make them proud but also bring change into the world. In a world full of endless opportunities and a country of achieving dreams, I decided to pursue the study of architecture. I feel as though it is the field I see myself in in the future, reflecting our society and applying it into our physical world. I plan on taking this path in my further education, hoping to someday become an architect or go into a similar field. Though I may not know the exact journey my life will take me on now, what I’m certain of is that I will keep broadening my horizons as well as expanding my knowledge. The drive to hard work and success is something I got from my parents, shown through their incredible courage of leaving their home country Poland in search of a better life for both of their daughters. I feel incredibly grateful to be a citizen of both Poland and The United States, knowing both worlds have taught me to find myself in any situation I get put in. As to my goals for the future, I see myself continuing my studies after my Bachelor’s degree into Master’s and gaining the experiences and knowledge that life has to offer. With the same unconditional support from my parents as now, making them prouder and prouder with every step of the way. Challenging myself with my own capabilities and becoming something great, something that will bring a change into this world.