The world I grew up in has shaped how I see people and the path I want to take in life. As the youngest child of West African Immigrants, I was raised in a household where strength was important and talking about emotions was not always common. Instead of expressing feelings openly, many people in my family believed in pushing through problems quietly. Because of this, I learned early on to pay attention to what was not said and became very observant of the people around me; I noticed changes in mood, tone, and behavior, even when no one explained what they were feeling. These unspoken behaviors, such as avoiding difficult conversations or hiding stress behind silence, made me curious about why people act the way they do, especially during difficult times. I started to realize that people often carry emotions and struggles that others cannot see. After I got older, I became more interested in psychology, especially after seeing how my cousin's life changed following a difficult personal loss. Watching him struggle and make choices that were not like him made me start asking deeper questions about behavior and what leads people to act the way they do. Psychology gave me a better way to understand these patterns, and taking IB Psychology/Sociology classes in school helped me connect my personal experiences to real lessons about behavior, emotions, and decision-making. For example, learning about how trauma and stress can affect decision-making helped me better understand the changes I saw in my cousin. It showed me that there is a deeper reason behind people's actions, rather than just the actions themselves. Because of my background and what I have observed, I now want to become a Forensic Psychologist. My cousin’s experience, along with my West African background, where emotions are not openly discussed, helped me realize that people are often judged only by their actions without considering what they have been through. Seeing how some family members responded to his situation and the lack of understanding around his struggles made me want to look deeper into his and human behavior. I want to work in a field where I can understand people beyond their mistakes and help others see the bigger picture. I am especially interested in how psychology can be used in the justice system to better understand people's backgrounds and mental health. My goal is to contribute to a system that focuses not only on punishment, but on understanding and growth. I believe that by combining empathy with what I learn from psychology, I can help people better understand others and make more fair decisions in this field. My experiences have taught me that the world around me plays a major role in shaping who I am. It has influenced my curiosity, empathy, and desire to help others. I have learned to look farther than what is visible and try to understand what people may be going through. I want to take what I have learned from my own life and use it to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

I learned the importance of being heard by first noticing how often people around me were not. As a first-generation college student growing up in a West African household, I was taught the importance of strength, hard work, and perseverance. However, emotions were not always openly discussed. Instead of talking through problems, people often pushed forward quietly. Because of this, I became aware of what people may be feeling, even when they do not say it. This understanding became more meaningful when I saw how my cousin’s life changed after a difficult loss. While others focused on his action, I found myself questioning what led him there. Seeing how quickly people judged him made me realize how often people are misunderstood and how important it is to create spaces where people feel heard. This is what makes me passionate about the extracurricular activities I am involved in. Through my experiences in the Black Student Union and my Child Development internship, I have learned that small actions such as listening, encouraging others, and creating a supportive environment can make a meaningful difference in a community. As a General Officer in the Black Student Union, I help create a space where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and sharing their ideas. Our club focuses on building an environment of belonging, celebrating culture, and giving students a voice. One challenge we faced was getting more students to participate in meetings, some students were hesitant to speak up or share their experiences. To address this, I made an effort to personally welcome new members, start conversations, and help organize discussions that were relatable and engaging, such as topics about identity and school experiences. Over time, I noticed that more students began to open up and participate. These efforts helped create a more positive and inclusive space where students felt heard and supported. I am passionate about this work because I understand how important it is for people to feel seen and valued. My Child Development internship in a first-grade classroom has also played a major role in shaping my passion for helping others. In this role, I assist teachers and support students who need extra help with their work. Many of the students I work with struggle with confidence or staying focused. I take time to sit with them, break down their assignments into smaller steps, and encourage them to keep trying. Over time, I have seen students become more confident and comfortable asking for help. This experience has shown me that patience and encouragement can have a long lasting impact on a student's growth. It has also helped create a more supportive classroom environment where students feel comfortable learning and making mistakes. In addition to these activities, I have also participated in community service, including volunteering at a community kitchen. Although it was a one time experience, it showed me the importance of helping others. Serving food and interacting with people reminded me that small acts of kindness can make a difference in someone’s day. Overall, my background and experiences have shown me how small actions can make a difference. Whether it is supporting students in the classroom or helping create a space where my peers feel comfortable speaking, I have seen how important it is for people to feel heard and supported. These experiences have strengthened my passion for helping others and shaped how I want to make an impact in the future. As I pursue a career in forensic psychology, I hope to continue giving back to my community by looking beyond people’s actions and working toward understanding and making positive changes.