A dark alley. Lit by the glow of the morning sunrise, the smog blanketed the air in a thick haze. There, placed with care, was a small baby swaddled in blankets inside of a basket. That baby was me. I was born in Guangzhou, China and was taken into an orphanage. The orphanage was the place of the unwanted as a result of China’s one-child policy. I was not destined to be anyone. Fortunately, I was adopted into a loving family. I grew up with such wide diversity with a Korean mom, a Chinese little sister, and an Italian-Polish dad, I have learned about different backgrounds. From making Italian ravioli at my Nonna’s house to celebrating Chuseok (Korean Harvest Festival), these experiences helped me to realize that people of different ethnic groups can live in harmony the way my family has. Although I have grown up with this inclusiveness, it did not stop me from feeling so ethnically different. Supposedly, young children do not fully conceptualize race and it is something gained with time. However, from the start of pre-school, I knew I was unique. My Asian complexion alienized me from those around me. With my dark hair, deep brown eyes, and a round flattened nose, I had always wondered why I looked so different. I felt an invisible pressure of Western culture infiltrating my everyday life. During my childhood, I tried to avoid my Mandarin language lessons and ignored my Chinese roots. I could see the importance that people placed on Western culture over Chinese culture in America. I was afraid that embracing the Chinese side of me would be seen as less than or potentially uncivilized. I envied the Caucasian appearance of a pointed nose, fair skin, and multi-colored eyes. Time went by and my Chinese roots slipped away. China became a world away left far behind. Little by little, I pushed every piece of my past behind me, knowing almost nothing about China. During my ninth-grade Spanish class, I became passionate about learning the traditions of Latin America. I watched every Mexican cooking show on television and dove into the Spanish language. A year later, my Chinese friend invited me to go to a Dim Sum restaurant. My knowledge about Mexico was fascinating but would not be able to help me here. As we sat at the table to order, I was a foreigner to my own culture. People walked by pushing steaming carts of strange foods. Foods I had never seen before. The bright tonal sounds of Mandarin filled the restaurant and mystified me. In comparison, I could have easily listed the foods most commonly eaten in Mexico and memorized the local slang. Why had I so completely embraced their culture, but so readily rejected my own? This experience opened my eyes and helped me to see that I had been narrow-sighted. This moment reminded me that I had grown up in a melting pot of cultures. I began to embrace my Chinese roots and was able to learn more about my heritage. Today, I happily dive into the complexities of its traditions. I've even learned to cook 'congee' a popular Chinese rice porridge. My current goal is to serve underserved populations once I complete my education to become a nurse and later a physician. I am now proud of my almond-shaped eyes, glossy black hair, and flat nose. I have learned to embrace differences, grow from my experiences, and accept who I am.

Deep in an alleyway sat a small cardboard box. A tiny baby slept inside, abandoned on the streets of China. That baby was me. I am a result of China's one-child policy. Luckily, I was adopted by a loving family who gave me a chance to thrive in America. I am forever grateful to them and it is the reason I can pursue my American dream today. My American dream is to be a physician because I would like to acquire the pinnacle of medical knowledge and truly be there for someone at their most vulnerable state. When I was in elementary school, my mom slipped on ice and shattered her ankle in three different places. Seeing her shuttled to the hospital in a pale speckled gown, I saw the everlasting effects of a single procedure. This experience stuck with me and contributed to my decision to become a physician. To achieve this goal, I am double majoring in both applied human biology and nursing. Having a degree in biology and nursing is helping me expand my knowledge and allows me to holistically approach medicine. By joining the nursing program, I will be able to acquire a more extensive understanding of the healthcare system. Being a nurse shows me both the beauty and realities of life. It’s through this experience I hope to uncover patient care lessons that specifically revolve around nursing. This includes advocating for patients and seeing diseases at their earliest stages. These real-world experiences will help me expand my knowledge from textbooks and apply them to the hospital setting. Practicing nursing builds a solid foundation in communication, experience, and wisdom. Using both the textbook and life experiences in tandem, I can dive deeper and prepare to make the hard choices when it matters most. It is fascinating to see physicians use their knowledge to decipher the differences between hundreds of illnesses. No two sets of symptoms for a single disease are the same. I knew medicine was the right path for me because medicine is an intricate landscape of biochemistry that is intertwined with a human component. Throughout my academic career, I have realized that I want to take complete responsibility for a patient, dedicate my life to understanding the human body to the fullest, and participate in lifelong learning. Moreover, I am passionate about becoming a physician so I can most directly address racial biases and improve cultural competency in healthcare. I hope to educate entire generations of physicians about these issues and inspire them to take action. I want to be the one that educates other physicians on the difference between heart attack symptoms and autism in men versus women. I want to bring awareness on how skin conditions show up differently with people with darker skin tones and how fat bias can effect can create negative healthcare outcomes for patients who are obese. Additionally, I want to use my Spanish fluency to help others feel comfortable receiving healthcare in their own language. It's important for me to improve cultural sensitivity in healthcare providers to prepare for the wide array of people who come through the hospital doors. My dream is to be a physician. It's part of the American dream to improve the livelihood of my community. Patients count on healthcare workers to ensure their health, vitality, and survival. I am honored to pursue my dream of practicing medicine and I am grateful to serve my community along the way.