My Palestinian heritage is a central part of my identity and has deeply shaped how I view my education, my future, and my sense of responsibility in the world. Both of my parents are from Palestine, and my connection to my heritage has always been present in my home through language, culture, and stories of family. My father still has family in Palestine, and in recent years, this connection has become even more emotionally significant and complex for me. Last year, my family experienced the loss of my father’s brother. This loss brought me closer to understanding the reality of what my extended family continues to face. It has been difficult at times to reconcile my daily life as a student with the reality that relatives I have never had the chance to meet are living through constant instability and fear. There are moments when I find myself stressing over exams or academic pressure, while knowing that others connected to me are facing challenges that are far more immediate and life altering. That contrast has stayed with me and has shaped how I interpret my own struggles. At times, this awareness has made me feel a mix of emotions, including gratitude, guilt, and reflection. I recognize that I am in a position of privilege compared to many members of my family, and this perspective has pushed me to rethink how I approach my education. Rather than seeing my academic challenges as isolated stressors, I have come to view them as opportunities that I am fortunate to have. This does not make the challenges easier, but it gives them meaning. It reminds me that my education is not something to take for granted. My Palestinian identity has also strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medicine. I am currently a biological sciences student at UC Irvine with plans to attend medical school and specialize in dermatology. My interest in medicine comes from both personal experience and a broader desire to give back in a meaningful way. I have experienced firsthand how healthcare can affect a person’s confidence, mental health, and sense of self, especially through my own struggles with persistent acne and medical treatment journeys. These experiences have shown me how important it is for patients to feel seen and understood, not just treated clinically. Seeing the resilience of my family, both in Palestine and abroad, has motivated me to pursue a career that allows me to contribute positively to others. I want my education to be more than a personal achievement. I want it to be something that carries meaning beyond myself. Medicine, for me, represents a way to combine scientific knowledge with service to others, especially communities who may feel overlooked or underserved. Academically, my goal is to complete my undergraduate degree in biological sciences while maintaining a strong GPA and continuing to build the foundation necessary for medical school. I plan to take the MCAT, complete medical school, and ultimately pursue dermatology as my specialty. I am particularly drawn to dermatology because it combines scientific complexity with long term patient relationships and visible impacts on quality of life. In the long term, I hope to use my career not only to treat patients, but also to contribute to a more compassionate and accessible healthcare system. I want to be the kind of physician who listens carefully, understands the emotional weight behind medical concerns, and treats patients with dignity and empathy. My goal is to bring both skill and humanity into my work. My Palestinian heritage continues to remind me that my education is something I carry not just for myself, but with awareness of my roots, my family, and the opportunities I have been given. It has taught me resilience, perspective, and gratitude. Most importantly, it has given me a sense of purpose that guides everything I am working toward in my academic and professional journey.

When I first began college, I did not fully realize how deeply STEM would shape both my academic path and my sense of purpose. As a 20 year old biological sciences student at UC Irvine, I have grown into someone who is not only fascinated by science, but also driven by a desire to use it in a way that directly impacts people’s lives. What draws me most to STEM is its ability to connect complex biological systems to real human experiences, especially in the field of medicine. My interest in science became especially personal through my experiences navigating ongoing skin health challenges, including persistent and at times severe cystic acne. Over the years, I have spent countless hours learning about treatments, medications, and how the skin functions on a biological level. I even went through Accutane, which was both physically and emotionally demanding. While I learned a lot from the medical side of my care, what stood out most to me were the differences in how I was treated as a patient. Some dermatology appointments felt rushed or impersonal, while others made me feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood. That contrast stayed with me and shaped the direction I want my future to take. Because of these experiences, I am pursuing a degree in biological sciences with the long term goal of attending medical school. I am especially interested in dermatology because it combines my passion for biology with my personal understanding of how skin conditions can affect a person’s confidence and mental well being. I want to become a physician who not only understands the science behind skin health, but also understands the emotional impact it can have on patients. STEM, for me, is more than just coursework or academic achievement. It is a pathway to solving real problems and improving quality of life. In my current studies, I am continuously challenged by demanding biology coursework, a long daily commute, and financial responsibilities. Despite these challenges, I have maintained a strong GPA and stayed committed to my goals. These experiences have strengthened my discipline, time management, and resilience, all of which are essential in a STEM field. Outside of academics, I have also sought ways to stay engaged in science and community. I am involved in a pre health biological sciences club at UC Irvine, where I participate in workshops and events that help me explore future career paths in medicine. I also work at Starbucks while balancing school, which has taught me responsibility and adaptability under pressure. These experiences, combined with my coursework, continue to reinforce my commitment to a future in healthcare. In the future, I hope to use my education in STEM to become a dermatologist who provides both high quality medical care and genuine compassion. I want patients to feel understood and supported, especially during moments when they may feel vulnerable or discouraged. My goal is to combine scientific knowledge with empathy in a way that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Ultimately, pursuing STEM is not just an academic decision for me. It is a personal commitment to growth, service, and impact. I want to honor that commitment by using my education to improve lives and contribute to a field that continuously pushes the boundaries of knowledge and care.