Adversity, either physical or mental, is unavoidable in life; it has a strong effect on one's chosen career. It needs resilience, strategic planning, and a proactive mind to deal with adversities. My life journey has gone through many physical and mental hurdles that tested my determination and disturbed my focus on the aspirations of my career. I have developed a robust approach from these experiences towards overcoming adversities and continuing to pursue aspirations. One of the most serious issues that I had to deal with while in undergraduate studies was a grave health problem. It was a chronic condition with numerous medical treatments coupled with a low vitality level and poor performance at school. This was quite an upsetting situation because, with the sickness, I would not be able to keep up with the pace required for environmental science majors due to the intensive classwork and field trips required. In handling this challenge, I had done a variety of things in order to keep on schedule with my career goals. First, I was very proactive with health management. Through working closely with my healthcare team, I developed a treatment plan that minimized disruptions in studies and enabled me to live a balanced life. Prioritizing my health therefore allowed me to approach my academic and career goals with greater stability and focus. Accordingly, I did not let time go to waste; I embraced effective time management and organization. Then, I drafted a detailed schedule that accommodated all my medical appointments while I made full provisions to reserve sufficient time to study and complete assignments. Breaking tasks down into manageable segments allowed me to work at a productive pace without getting too overwhelmed. I also tapped into learning support resources, such as tutoring and counseling services, to fill areas of lost learning and seek advice regarding workload management. Thirdly, I kept my professors and academic advisors abreast. By letting them know what was happening in my life, I was able to work out accommodations like extended deadlines and flexibility in study options. This transparency not only made for an enabling academic environment but also assured that I did not fall behind on my course work and fieldwork. Mentally, I tried to build my inner strength and always think positively. By practicing mindfulness and the ways of managing stress, one can remain undisturbed by the emotional stress that this condition brings. The circle of friends and family was supportive; a few good mentors kept reminding me that giving up is not an option. These steps helped me to sail through this period of adversity and allowed me to further my career aspirations in environmental science. This experience has also given me a great deal about the culture of adaptation, resilience, and proactively solving problems. These indeed are useful skills not only to overcome obstacles but also for long-term success in career goals. Making a move ahead in my professional growth and aspirations, I remain determined to practice these lessons gleaned from managing this adversity.

I am a goal-oriented, determined individual with a very clear vision in both my educational and career goals. My major educational goal is to earn a degree in environmental science as it surrounds me with my principal interest in sustainability and urges me to contribute to the well-being of the planet. My objective is to develop in-depth knowledge of environmental systems, policies, and technologies that need urgent attention due to the present ecological challenges so that I can make contributions toward finding innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. Growing up, it was interesting-the fascination that came from within regarding nature and how ecosystems function. It eventually metamorphosed into a commitment toward environmental advocacy and further catalyzed my interest in an education that would prepare me to create effective change. I envision myself working in various research roles, policy development, and community outreach in the interests of environmental conservation and sustainability. Beyond academic excellence, it takes a lot to realize such a dream through these: resilience and adaptability nourished by life in all its varied experiences. One major challenge I encountered was when, during my junior year of high school, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that involved many doctors' appointments and treatments. It significantly obstructed me from doing well academically and in extracurricular activities. At times, meeting the needs of these health concerns and trying to balance them with schoolwork and extracurricular activities was highly overwhelming; even at times, I felt defeated. Still, it was an experience from which I learned much about endurance and struggles with time management. I understood how one prioritizes responsibilities, manages time aptly, and when necessary, seeks help. Further, a heightened sense of self-discipline and resilience developed as I perceived that obstacles were generally opportunities to learn and grow. By setting realistic goals for myself, being able to focus on partial steps within those goals kept me on course academically and able to continue participating in activities relevant to my interests. This has instilled in me an even more determined and flexible approach toward my educational goals. I realized that detours along the way are part of any journey and that facing them with a positive attitude and a proactive frame of mind pays off in personal and academic growth. My confidence in overcoming this obstacle is well-grounded and now plumbs great depths as I pursue my degree in environmental science, using the resilience and problem-solving skills it has engendered. In the final analysis, my academic pursuits stand upon a commitment to environmental problem-solving and making a difference. My struggles with health issues taught me the life skills and what resilience is. These experiences have prepared me for higher education, and also firmly solidified my resolve to make sure that I make a positive contribution toward my field and toward the world.

Besides personal growth, interactions with my church have equipped me with essential tools required for community service. Through teachings, network, and experiences available to me at church, I have grown to be more purposeful and capable about my contribution to my community. The most helpful thing that I learned in this church is compassion, empathy, and selfless service for others. The values have helped me a great number of ways in community service and development by instilling a great commitment to service within me. Activities like volunteering through my church in food drives and other outreach programs have helped me learn the worth of truly caring for and serving others in meekness. The church's emphasis on loving thy neighbor and helping one in need has become a rule of thumb in all my service undertakings, helping me base my actions on a desire to do good. Besides value lessons, participation in my church has provided hands-on experience that is helpful in community service. These positions in the church developed my leadership, organizational, and communicational skills through the organization of various events and outreach, and by leading volunteer teams, respectively. Indeed, these skills have proved invaluable in other service work that I do. Organizational skills and a way of working in a team developed within the church activities came just in handy when I had to participate in organizing a local clean-up event. It was in the church where I got an enabling environment in which to practice and further develop these skills, later used in the development and execution of an effective community service project. The church has also been instrumental in fostering a network of supportive others that extend my efforts to serve. In view of the very strong sense of community in this church, opportunities for collaboration and joint action abound. That network has been indispensable in helping to organize such things as fundraising events and educational service projects within the community. Because of this linkage with similar-minded persons through the church, I have been in a better position to marshal resources and coordinate efforts along that line. It is the relations nurtured within the church community that have given me an opportunity to access an active volunteer base and supporters, hence widening both the scope and effectiveness of the service projects. Personal growth and fulfillment from my work with my church have created an even more vastly determined commitment to community service. I think that the church has given me direction and a purpose, and it has further helped to enforce that service is a responsibility as well as an enriching opportunity. The satisfaction I get from being involved in the various church-sponsored service projects motivates me to continue looking for other ways through which I can offer my services. In these ways, through this personal growth, it has brought about influence in conducting community service, solving problems optimistically, commitment to positive changes. Community service has greatly influenced my participation in the local church through the values instilled by the church, practical skills gained through the different roles played, network established within the church community, and personal growth. All these put me in a better position to serve more effectively. The integration of faith-based values into service work has brought such synergy that my personal fulfillment and community service contributions have further enriched each other. It is beyond doubt that these experiences and lessons from the involvement at my church, in farther service, will guide and inspire me towards instilling relevant changes in the lives of other people.

I come from a close-knit family in Lagos Nigeria. My parents have always emphasized the importance of education and hard work, instilling in me a strong work ethic from a young age. I completed my High School in Lagos Nigeria at Murtala Muhammed Airport Secondary School. I would then like to further my education by getting an undergraduate degree in Computer Science in the United States. The inspiration to pursue higher education in the US came from my desire to further my knowledge and skills in the field of technology, which is constantly evolving. I saw the US as a hub for innovation and cutting-edge research, and I knew that studying here would provide me with the best opportunities to grow both academically and professionally. Growing up i would also watch movies that showed the On campus life that grew a deep desire for me a significant movie that really inspired me was " Legally Blonde" and the scenes where she worked so hard to get into Harvard Law school and how she proved everybody do wrong about their perception of her by answering the questions so beautifully during lectures i would love to experience that and prove everybody wrong. As an aspiring international student trying to study in the United States, one of the biggest challenges I faced during the application process was navigating the complex and competitive nature of the admissions process. I had to research and understand the specific requirements of each university, such as standardized tests, recommendation letters, and personal statements, and ensure that my application showcased my strengths and qualifications effectively. Additionally, I had to overcome the challenge of financial constraints and securing funding for my education. International students often face higher tuition fees and limited access to scholarships and financial aid, which can be a significant barrier to studying in the US. I had to explore various options, such as applying for scholarships, assistantships, and loans, to finance my education and make my dream of studying in the US a reality. Furthermore, the visa application process was another hurdle I had to overcome. Navigating the complex visa requirements, preparing for the visa interview, and ensuring all necessary documentation was in order required meticulous planning and attention to detail. I had to demonstrate my intent to study in the US and prove that I had the financial means to support myself during my studies. Someone who has inspired me is my father, who was a successful entrepreneur and a visionary leader. He always encouraged me to think outside the box, take risks, and constantly strive for excellence. His mentorship has been invaluable to me and has shaped my approach to my career and personal development. After graduation, my goal is to work in a tech company (Microsoft or Pinterest) where I can apply my knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems. I also hope to eventually start my own technology company and make a positive impact in the industry. Ultimately, I aspire to be a leader who inspires others to reach their full potential and contribute to society.