As a refugee who moved to the United States in search of safety and opportunity, the idea of pursuing higher education once seemed like a distant dream. My family and I arrived in this country with very little, carrying only hope and the determination to build a better life. Coming from a background where education was often inaccessible or interrupted by instability, I quickly realized that succeeding in the American education system would require navigating a path I had never seen anyone in my family walk before. Being a first-generation college student comes with many unseen challenges. There was no one in my family who could help me fill out college applications or explain the significance of standardized tests, personal statements, or financial aid forms. This made every decision from choosing the right school to understanding tuition and scholarships very difficult to navigate. I had to become my own advisor, mentor, and advocate. Despite the uncertainty and confusion, I knew that pursuing higher education was the most powerful tool I had to change my future and that of my family. My journey has taken me from being a newcomer to the U.S. 12 years ago to becoming a second-year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia; the city I moved to. I chose to stay in Philadelphia because I experienced firsthand what this city has to offer for the underserved communities. From volunteering as a medical interpreter for newcomers, to teaching English as a Second Language while being a medical student, I now know why I chose to stay in Philadelphia. Gaining admission to medical school as a first-generation student still feels surreal at times. Medicine has always fascinated me, not only because of its complexity but because of its humanity. Growing up in communities with limited access to healthcare, I witnessed firsthand how disparities in education and healthcare often go hand in hand. My decision to pursue medicine was deeply personal. I want to be the kind of physician who understands the struggles of the underserved and can relate to patients from diverse, often overlooked, backgrounds. Being a first-generation low-income student in medical school brings its own unique set of difficulties. Medical education is intense, and balancing it with the emotional weight of being the first in my family to take this path is not easy. I constantly juggle rigorous academic demands with the pressure of representing my family’s hopes and sacrifices. There are moments when imposter syndrome creeps in, or when I feel the weight of expectations pressing down on me. But in those moments, I remind myself of how far I’ve come and why I started. My journey from refugee to future physician has been fueled by resilience, sacrifice, and the unwavering belief that I can make a difference. I am not just working toward a degree; I am building a legacy for my family and for others who come from similar beginnings. I want to be an example that where you start in life does not have to define where you end up. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of my medical education, but it would also serve as a powerful affirmation of my journey and the potential that lies ahead. I hope to continue to serve the underserved communities here in Philadelphia, the city that gave me a chance to pursue my American Dream.

Twelve years ago, I arrived in the United States as a refugee, filled with uncertainty but hopeful for a better future. My mother, a single parent, worked tirelessly to provide for us while navigating an unfamiliar culture and language. We faced financial hardship, moving from one cramped apartment to another, often unsure how we would afford basic necessities let alone dream of pursuing higher education. Despite these challenges, my upbringing instilled in me a strong sense of resilience, unwavering determination, and a deep desire to give back to communities like mine. Today, I have the privilege to be pursuing higher education as a second-year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine, with the purpose to serve those who, like my family, have too often been overlooked. As a first-generation college graduate and now a medical student, I have had to navigate a system that wasn’t designed for students like me. Without generational guidance, I had to navigate how to apply to college, how to seek financial aid, and how to juggle multiple jobs while studying full time. I faced moments of doubt and exhaustion, but my motivation remained clear that I wanted to become a physician who not only treats illness, but also understands the structural barriers that prevent people from accessing quality care. My interest in medicine stems from personal experience. Growing up, my mother often avoided going to the doctor due to cost, language barriers, and limited access to transportation. I frequently acted as her interpreter at appointments, sometimes as early as age ten. These experiences sparked my interest in healthcare and exposed me to the realities of health disparities, particularly for refugees, immigrants, and low-income families. In pursuing a career in medicine, I hope to become the kind of physician who bridges cultural gaps in healthcare and advocates for patients who are too often left unheard. I am especially passionate about primary care and community health, fields where I can form long-term relationships with patients and work on preventative interventions that improve outcomes for underserved populations. I also aim to be involved in public health advocacy and health education outreach, focusing on marginalized communities, particularly refugee and immigrant families. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial burdens I continue to face as I work toward obtaining my medical degree. More importantly, it would solidify my purpose and encourage students like me, first-generation, low-income, and driven by lived experience to pursue this path. I believe that my background does not hold me back; rather, it gives me a unique perspective and purpose within the healthcare field. I am committed to using my education not only to heal, but to uplift. I hope to become a compassionate physician who advocates for equitable healthcare and serves as a mentor to future students navigating paths like mine. With the support of this scholarship, I can continue turning the hardships I once faced into hope for others.

As a refugee who moved to the United States in search of safety and opportunity, the idea of pursuing higher education once seemed like a distant dream. My family and I arrived in this country with very little, carrying only hope and the determination to build a better life. Coming from a background where education was often inaccessible or interrupted by instability, I quickly realized that succeeding in the American education system would require navigating a path I had never seen anyone in my family walk before. Being a first-generation college student comes with many unseen challenges. There was no one in my family who could help me fill out college applications or explain the significance of standardized tests, personal statements, or financial aid forms. This made every decision from choosing the right school to understanding tuition and scholarships very difficult to navigate. I had to become my own advisor, mentor, and advocate. Despite the uncertainty and confusion, I knew that pursuing higher education was the most powerful tool I had to change my future and that of my family. My journey has taken me from being a newcomer to the U.S. 12 years ago to becoming a second-year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia; the city I moved to. Gaining admission to medical school as a first-generation student still feels surreal at times. Medicine has always fascinated me, not only because of its complexity but because of its humanity. Growing up in communities with limited access to healthcare, I witnessed firsthand how disparities in education and healthcare often go hand in hand. My decision to pursue medicine was deeply personal. I want to be the kind of physician who understands the struggles of the underserved and can relate to patients from diverse, often overlooked, backgrounds. Being a first-generation student in medical school brings its own unique set of difficulties. Medical education is intense, and balancing it with the emotional weight of being the first in my family to take this path is not easy. I constantly juggle rigorous academic demands with the pressure of representing my family’s hopes and sacrifices. There are moments when imposter syndrome creeps in, or when I feel the weight of expectations pressing down on me. But in those moments, I remind myself of how far I’ve come and why I started. My journey from refugee to future physician has been fueled by resilience, sacrifice, and the unwavering belief that I can make a difference. I am not just working toward a degree; I am building a legacy for my family and for others who come from similar beginnings. I want to be an example that where you start in life does not have to define where you end up. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of my medical education, but it would also serve as a powerful affirmation of my journey and the potential that lies ahead.

My passion for pediatric medicine is deeply rooted in both personal experience and a growing commitment to addressing healthcare disparities in vulnerable communities. As a first-generation, second-year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine and a former refugee to the United States, my journey has been shaped by adversity, resilience, and a desire to serve others. I ultimately hope to serve children who face challenges similar to those I once did. I moved to the United States as a refugee during a period of immense instability in my home country. That transition was not just a physical relocation but an emotional and psychological upheaval. Navigating a new language, culture, and healthcare system exposed me early on to the complexities that immigrant and underserved families face when accessing medical care. These early experiences instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and responsibility. More importantly it taught me empathy and the goal of giving back to children who, like me, struggle to adapt to an unfamiliar world, and a responsibility to ensure that no child’s health is compromised because of barriers they cannot control. As a first-generation college and now medical student, I’ve often found myself at the intersection of persistence and purpose. The journey has been far from easy from navigating the academic rigors of medical school to managing cultural and familial expectations. Yet these challenges have only solidified my purpose. I see in pediatric medicine a field that values compassion, advocacy, and a holistic understanding of the patient’s background. These values resonate deeply with my own life story. My interest in pediatric oncology, in particular, was sparked during my time as a pre-med volunteer at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. There, I had the privilege of supporting patients and families as they navigated one of the most difficult periods of their lives. I witnessed firsthand the emotional and physical toll cancer takes, especially on young patients and their families. I was inspired by the resilience of the children I encountered and the dedication of the healthcare professionals who treated them. That experience not only solidified my interest in oncology research but also deepened my desire to work with children facing life-threatening illnesses. I hope to contribute to advancements in pediatric oncology through both clinical care and research that emphasizes equity and access. The lessons I’ve learned as a refugee and first-generation student uniquely position me to connect with diverse patient populations. I understand what it means to be marginalized, to feel unseen, and to fight for opportunity. I want to be the kind of pediatrician who listens closely, advocates tirelessly, and never forgets the humanity behind every diagnosis. My background enables me to relate deeply to immigrant and underserved families and to become a voice within medicine that champions inclusion and culturally sensitive care. Pediatric medicine is not just a career choice for me, it is a calling grounded in personal experience and backed by a commitment to service, research, and social justice. I am eager to build a career that bridges clinical excellence with heartfelt advocacy, so that every child, no matter their origin or circumstances, receives the compassionate, comprehensive care they deserve.