As a first-generation student, I had no one in my family to turn to for academic assistance. My Vietnamese immigrant parents couldn't help me with subjects like English, science, and writing. My parents could only teach the basic math of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, which were covered in my purchased K-5 summer math workbooks. Once middle school started, I struggled to complete assignments on my own. Copying other people's work gradually became a fallback strategy whenever I encountered any "difficult" questions. I could have executed the assignments on my own, but I lacked perseverance and willpower, which made balancing advanced courses much more challenging. This cycle of inadequacy broke off during my junior year when I began taking online classes. My father sat me down one cloudy, autumn evening to talk about education. In the midst of our conversation, he asked me a question that has stayed with me till this day: “Do you want to be a follower or do you want to be a leader?” After taking the time to deeply reflect on what my father said, I felt compelled to take initiative in my life. I didn't want to keep hoping for a better future. I want to take charge of my future. I stopped asking my friends for help on all assignments. Instead, I nervously press the link to join the office hour. After going to office hours consistently, I begin to see my test scores and communication skills improving. This eventually opened my mind to the possibility of being part of something bigger. Around October 2020, I began searching for internships on the internet. Fortunately, I came across an Instagram account called “OHSU PSI Program”, a biomedical research program sponsored by Oregon Health and Science University. Without any hesitation, I signed up for the internship. On January 21, a Gmail notification from the PSI Program brightens my phone screen. “Congratulations! You have been chosen as one of the 45 students for the 2021 PSI Cohort. We had well over 200 applicants this year. You should be proud of yourself!” My ecstatic scream echoed down the hall as I dashed to my father's room. It was at this moment that I realized I was about to enter into a new chapter in my life. Over the course of 3 months, I have worked vigorously to stay on top of this biomedical research program. I was given the opportunity to work under a researcher specializing in hematology with two other classmates. To best understand the research of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), I needed additional background on the coagulation pathway, which was one of the most difficult topics I have ever learned. I've spent at least 45 hours researching this subject, learning in various areas as I go. A few weeks later, I felt capable of teaching my classmates during my fifteen-minute presentation. I confidently explained the concept of blood clot progression and answered my peers’ questions regarding the coagulation pathways. When the program ended in May 2021, I realized that I had grown intellectually and emotionally, beyond all expectations. I am proud to be the first daughter of two Vietnamese immigrants who sacrificed everything to come to the US. Without them, I would not be able to experience the extraordinary opportunities that this program offers and develop a strong desire to learn more about medicine.