Growing up in Ghana, I faced significant socioeconomic adversity that shaped my educational path. My family struggled financially, which often made it difficult to access education and healthcare. As the first of eight siblings, I took on the responsibility of setting an example for my younger siblings, a role that motivated me to push through the challenges. My mother, who had to put her own dreams on hold to prioritize our family’s well-being, instilled in me the belief that education is the key to overcoming life’s obstacles. In 2022, I moved to the United States to pursue my educational goals. As an international student, I faced additional challenges. In my first quarter, I had to secure a job while taking full-time classes to support myself and my younger sister. When the workload became even more demanding, I enrolled in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to work in a pharmacy, balancing my academic responsibilities with my job. Despite the hardships, I managed to pass all my classes, demonstrating my resilience and commitment to my education. As a first-generation Muslim student, I understand the weight of responsibility that comes with being a trailblazer in my family. My journey has taught me the importance of perseverance, hard work, and the support of a community. Despite the obstacles, I have remained focused on my academic and career goals, determined to create a better future for myself and my family. The support I have received through scholarships and mentorship has been invaluable in helping me succeed. In return, I am committed to giving back. I volunteered as a lab assistant at Seattle Central College, where I helped students navigate academic challenges. I am passionate about creating programs that support women of color and first-generation students like me, especially those who face financial barriers. I also volunteered with middle school girls of color, providing guidance and support to help them see their potential despite the financial and academic challenges they face. This experience reinforced my desire to pay it forward by creating programs that offer mentorship and support to individuals facing similar struggles. My goal is to help others access opportunities and resources, just as I have been fortunate to do. Looking ahead, I plan to become a pharmacist and advocate for affordable healthcare in underserved communities. I want to use my education to empower others, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, and provide the same support and guidance that helped me succeed. Like Ismat Tariq, I want to help others, ensuring that every student, regardless of background, can achieve their dreams.

Socioeconomic adversity has been a constant in my life, shaping who I am and igniting my passion for change. Growing up in Ghana, my family’s financial struggles often meant that access to education and healthcare was a luxury we could not afford. As an international student in the United States, I faced the same challenges- adjusting to a new culture, managing the high costs of education, and balancing the weight of financial uncertainty. Despite these hurdles, I have remained determined to succeed. As a Phi Theta Kappa member, and a mentor to middle school girls of color, I have used my experiences to not only overcome adversity but to give back to my community. These challenges have shaped my belief in the power of resilience and community support, and they drive my desire to create meaningful change for those facing similar struggles. One of the ways I plan to make a positive impact is through my involvement in the Women of Color project at my college. This initiative aims to support women by addressing their financial, physical, and mental needs. I am dedicated to helping women overcome the barriers I once faced, especially those related to affordability and access to resources. As someone who has received scholarships like the Seattle Colleges Foundation award, I understand how crucial these opportunities are, and I plan to advocate for more scholarship programs that can alleviate financial stress for students. My experiences with adversity have shaped my belief in the power of community. Through my volunteer work as a lab assistant at Seattle Central College, I have seen how access to education can empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty. I understand the importance of mentorship and support systems, and I aim to continue developing programs that offer guidance, encouragement, and practical resources to those facing financial hardships. My goal is to help others recognize and seize opportunities for success in education and careers, just as I have done despite the challenges I have faced. Socioeconomic adversity has taught me empathy, perseverance, and the importance of education. It has also inspired my career goal of becoming a pharmacist, where I can directly impact people’s health by providing quality care to underserved communities. I want to use my knowledge to advocate for affordable healthcare and to create programs that bridge the gap in healthcare access for people facing financial challenges. In conclusion, my journey through adversity has shaped my vision of a community where everyone, regardless of their background, has access to opportunities for success. I am committed to using my education and experiences to help those in need, fostering an environment where socioeconomic barriers no longer limit potential.

With the guidance of the teachings of Islam, embarking on my educational journey has been quite easy. Starting by stating the one verse in the Quran that talks about seeking knowledge, “Read! In the name of your Lord who created” (Sural Al-Alaq 96:1). This first ayah which was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him in the cave Al-Hira explains the divine call to every Muslim to seek knowledge in this world. Another piece of evidence in an authentic hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim." (Sunan Ibn Majah). These are a few of evidence mentioned in the Islamic teachings to guide Muslims on the journey of seeking knowledge. It is also a form of encouragement for us believers to engage in learning for our personal development. Therefore, in this essay, I am going to describe how my Muslim identity has influenced my academic and career goals, and how receiving this scholarship will aid me in realizing these goals. To begin with, as Muslims, we are all aware of the obligative nature to seek knowledge and not be ignorant about the world we live in. For instance, by traveling around the world, meeting new people, and studying educational and non-educational materials, we are striving for excellence. Because of this, being a Muslim has inspired my curiosity in learning new things by grabbing every opportunity that lies ahead in my educational journey. I am always ready to answer questions from my friends that are curious about Islam to show them what Islam truly is and not only what the media shows the world. Hence, as a science student, I am actively researching programs and workshops and seeking internships in my pharmacy field. I always have a deep sense of responsibility to seek knowledge and educate others about Islam’s true essence. Another aspect of life that my Muslim identity has been affected is the sense of justice, perseverance, and compassion toward my educational and career journey. Islam is a religion of peace, therefore there are many teachings in the Quran about the importance of treating others fairly and striving for equality. For instance, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), " O humanity! Indeed, we created you from a male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware. "The main theme for this surah is the conduct of believers in this world and this includes a sense of respect and compassion towards others. I have also learned that it could be interpreted as the importance of being curious about the world we are living in and respecting each other no matter our skin color, tribe, background etc. Islam is a religion that brings comfort to people, therefore as a student, I am actively working towards achieving my goals while aligning my behaviors to the teachings of Islam. As an aspiring pharmacist, receiving this scholarship would be a great support in my academic journey, especially considering my current financial challenges. This scholarship would provide much-needed financial assistance, allowing me to continue pursuing my education without the constant worry of debts. As a proud Muslim striving to achieve my goal of being a pharmacist in the future, my identity has played a significant role in shaping my academic and career aspirations. The principles of Islam, such as knowledge-seeking, compassion, perseverance, and justice, have deeply influenced my goals.

Every individual has goals in life that they are willing to achieve at any cost. Goals are aspirations that guide us in life. They shape and control how we live our lives in most cases. For example, if your goal is to become a pilot, there are many sacrifices you must make to achieve it. Sometimes you will have to sacrifice your sleep, the little time you spend with friends, etc. That does not mean you have to sacrifice every fun in life, but making these small sacrifices sometimes teaches us that in life, getting what you want is not as easy as it seems. For me, the goal I hope to achieve is to be a pharmacist. People may find their goal at a very young age, while others later in the future. I would say my goal of being a pharmacist was something recent even though my love for science was from childhood. Even my grandfather calls me "my doctor" to this day. I decided to change from being a medical doctor to being a pharmacist in high school. I valued doctors saving people and set out to do that too. However, one day, during chemistry class, we worked with tablets that contained as many compounds as we were told. That got me curious about how tablets and pills were made to cure diseases and how pharmacists got the right dosage for patients to take depending on the individual's age. This curiosity led me to my new goal of being a pharmacist and I am currently on the path. My goal is to save lives at the health center and be a hope for someone in the future. So to come to the US to fulfill that dream and see that people of color are not part of the majority in health care is kind of sad. Diversity in everything enriches its value. Even in the case of the workplace. For example, the recent world cup has shown many people that we are all one. We bleed the same blood, we cry the same tears and we are happy with almost the same things. It has taught us not to lose hope in humanity. Therefore, it is important to increase racial diversity in health care so that people feel at home every time they walk into a hospital, clinic, dental hospital, or pharmacy. Sometimes the little things make us happy, like meeting a random person who speaks the same language as you or comes from the same country as you. Mary Lauretta said once stated, "It is the little things that make life worthwhile, small words of praise, a cheerful smile, or just the little human touch of sympathy that means so much." We are all different when it comes to behaviors, so it is difficult to understand the pain of others. Hence, a small gesture like increasing racial diversity in healthcare can brighten someone's day just by finding out that for instance, an individual is from the same place, speaks the same dialect, and whatnot. I believe that there is more to the health center where we are supposed to cure people who are suffering from disease than meets the eye. It is a place for the healing of the body, mind, and soul. Racial diversity, for example, brings joy and a sense of community.

Every individual has goals in life that they are willing to achieve at any cost. Goals are aspirations that guide us in life. They shape and control how we live our lives in most cases. For example, if your goal is to become a pilot, there are many sacrifices you must make to achieve it. Sometimes you will have to sacrifice your sleep, the little time you spend with friends, etc. That does not mean you have to sacrifice every fun in life, but making these small sacrifices sometimes teaches us that in life, getting what you want is not as easy as it seems. For me, the goal I hope to achieve is to be a pharmacist. People may find their goal at a very young age, while others later in the future. I would say my goal of being a pharmacist was something recent even though my love for science was from childhood. Even my grandfather calls me "my doctor" to this day. I decided to change from being a medical doctor to be a pharmacist in high school. I valued doctors saving people and set out to do that too. However, one day, during chemistry class, we worked with tablets that contained as many compounds as we were told. That got me curious about how tablets and pills were made to cure diseases and how pharmacists got the right dosage for patients to take depending on the individual's age. This curiosity led me to my new goal of being a pharmacist and I am currently on the path. My goal is to save lives at the health center and be a hope for someone in the future. So to come to the US to fulfill that dream and see that people of color are not part of the majority in health care is kind of sad. Diversity in everything enriches its value. Even in the case of the workplace. For example, the recent world cup has shown many people that we are all one. We bleed the same blood, we cry the same tears and we are happy with almost the same things. It has taught us not to lose hope in humanity. Therefore, it is important to increase racial diversity in health care so that people feel at home every time they walk into a hospital, clinic, dental hospital, or pharmacy. Sometimes the little things make us happy, like meeting a random person who speaks the same language as you or comes from the same country as you. Mary Lauretta said once stated, "It is the little things that make life worthwhile, small words of praise, a cheerful smile, or just the little human touch of sympathy that means so much." We are all different when it comes to behaviors, so it is difficult to understand the pain of others. Hence, a small gesture like increasing racial diversity in healthcare can brighten someone's day just by finding out that for instance, an individual is from the same place, speaks the same dialect, and whatnot. I believe that there is more to the health center where we are supposed to cure people who are suffering from disease than meets the eye. It is a place for the healing of the body, mind, and soul. Racial diversity, for example, brings joy and a sense of community.

Every individual has goals in life that they are willing to achieve at any cost. Goals are aspirations that guide us in life. They shape and control how we live our lives in most cases. For example, if your goal is to become a pilot, there are many sacrifices you must make to achieve it. Sometimes you will have to sacrifice your sleep, the little time you spend with friends, etc. That does not mean you have to sacrifice every fun in life, but making these small sacrifices sometimes teaches us that in life, getting what you want is not as easy as it seems. For me, the goal I hope to achieve is to be a pharmacist. People may find their goal at a very young age, while others later in the future. I would say my goal of being a pharmacist was something recent even though my love for science was from childhood. Even my grandfather calls me "my doctor" to this day. I decided to change from being a medical doctor to being a pharmacist in high school. I valued doctors saving people and set out to do that too. However, one day, during chemistry class, we worked with tablets that contained as many compounds as we were told. That got me curious about how tablets and pills were made to cure diseases and how pharmacists got the right dosage for patients to take depending on the individual's age. This curiosity led me to my new goal of being a pharmacist and I am currently on the path. My goal is to save lives at the health center and be a hope for someone in the future. So to come to the US to fulfill that dream and see that people of color are not part of the majority in health care is kind of sad. Diversity in everything enriches its value. Even in the case of the workplace. For example, the recent world cup has shown many people that we are all one. We bleed the same blood, we cry the same tears and we are happy with almost the same things. It has taught us not to lose hope in humanity. Therefore, my dream is to make people feel at home every time they walk into a hospital, clinic, dental hospital, or pharmacy. Sometimes the little things make us happy, like meeting a random person who speaks the same language as you or comes from the same country as you. Mary Lauretta said once stated, "It is the little things that make life worthwhile, small words of praise, a cheerful smile, or just the little human touch of sympathy that means so much." We are all different when it comes to behaviors, so it is difficult to understand the pain of others. Hence, a small gesture like increasing racial diversity in healthcare can brighten someone's day just by finding out that for instance, an individual is from the same place, speaks the same dialect, and whatnot. I believe that there is more to the health center where we are supposed to cure people who are suffering from disease than meets the eye. It is a place for the healing of the body, mind, and soul. Racial diversity, for example, brings joy and a sense of community.

I have always been passionate about working in the medical field and meeting different types of people. Diversity fosters tolerance and respect for others. Imagine growing up in a place where you know people from your own culture. It doesn't make you want to challenge yourself because you're too comfortable with where you are. On the other hand, when you grow up in a more diverse place, it makes you want to like everyone and respect their opinions. It makes you think even with maturity and wisdom. As a first generation black woman in my family, I want to achieve my goal as a pharmacist to serve as a role model for my brothers and sisters and my community in Ghana. It hasn't been easy growing up and traveling miles from where you're most comfortable to somewhere more diverse and challenging. If traveling to the United States has taught me one thing, it's to be tolerant and respectful of others. We all come from different places, reunited in another place to pursue our dreams and later coming back to help people back home. Therefore, talking about diversity in the workplace is one of the key factors in promoting world peace. What you may see in the news or social media may differ from reality. Diversity is therefore a medium for questioning and discovering the truth about what exists. For example, most people in the United States think that most people who go to Africa are poor and have nothing to eat or anywhere to stay, although that's partly true, there's more to Africa and in African countries than there are. Beautiful cultures, kind people, pretty views, little discrimination, and more. Diversity also fosters creativity and innovations among people in the workplace. Due to the different languages ​​people speak, different cultures and different points of view, it brings different innovative ideas and builds trust in what we do in the workplaces. As the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one”. If so, what will be the outcome for many diverse heads coming together to find a solution to a problem? In short, diversity at work is important to me because it takes me out of my comfort zone; working with people of the same race or ethnicity, and pushes me to question myself and work towards my goal while learning to tolerate people's opinions and work in harmony with them. And choosing to pursue studies in pharmacy will allow me to work with people and learn to appreciate them.

Growing up as the first of seven children, I always had a lot of responsibilities. I must set a good example in my actions and as an excellent role model for my younger siblings. I grew up in Ghana, West Africa, and moved to Seattle, Washington State, in May 2022, to continue my studies at North Seattle College as an international student for an Associate of Science degree. I am planning to transfer to a four-year university for my bachelor's degree in pharmacy and move on to the college of pharmacy after that. I have wanted to learn and work in the medical field since I was young. My responsibilities as a first child were reflected in my elementary, middle, and high school years. This started when I was voted to become a girls' prefect in middle school. My duty was to make sure the school complex was tidy and to report any problems to the headteacher or principal. This may seem confusing but it is the norm in Ghanaian schools. When I got to the seventh grade, I worked in the principal's office for a year as a responsibility. When I got into the eighth grade, I became the school's girls' prefect, also by voting. I gladly accepted all the leading roles. I also participated in many inter-school competitions and won a lot of awards for merit, spelling, reading and writing marathons, and general inter-school competitions. Then I transferred to the best secondary school in Ghana, Wesley Girls High School. In high school, I developed an interest in sports, so I got involved in fitness and was leading the whole school in fitness exercises to keep everyone healthy. I was briefly involved in netball as well. Gradually, due to the natural leadership roles, I was offered, I got the title of vice president of the school gym and a member of the sanitation committee of the house I was in. These were some of the experiences I had as I juggled academic work and leadership roles. My parents were worried that it would affect my studies, but I got all the leadership positions from excelling in all my classes, so nothing changed. I stayed with my loving parents in Ghana. My father works in the port. He works on importing and exporting goods inside and outside the country. He struggled to get this far as a truck driver, as he used to be paid low. We used to live in a one-bedroom apartment with my younger siblings, but thanks to my parents' efforts, we are now in a somewhat larger house of our own. My mother also came from a really poor family but now she sells clothes to help pay for our basic needs and send all her children to the best schools in the country. My parents are the best role models for me and my siblings. I have a passion to help many people in the medical field, specifically in the pharmaceutical field. Right now, I work on campus part-time to pay my rent and transportation, and my parents struggle to pay tuition. With this, I have the determination to excel and graduate to become one of the best pharmacists in the world and show my family and community that there will always be light at the end of the tunnel. Where you come from does not define who you are or what you want to achieve. Hard work and determination pay.