Being the daughter of immigrant parents and the granddaughter of refugees, topics that cross cultures and international borders are of great interest to me, especially when combined with my passion for medicine. I am acutely aware of how disparities between geographies, races, religions, politics, and genders impact health equity. Growing up as a first generation American and the oldest of four sisters, I've always felt a strong responsibility to set an example for my siblings. Given our family size, college costs will undoubtedly be a heavy burden. As I plan to continue my dream of becoming a doctor, medical school costs will be very high and run in parallel to my siblings for many years. With your support, I can focus on my studies and dedicate my energy towards making a difference in the medical field. Furthermore, your scholarship will allow me to continue volunteering with special needs students while studying. For the last two years I have volunteered as a teacher's assistant, mentoring 15 students with learning/cognitive disabilities, including autism, selective mutism, and down syndrome. I have found this work to be both challenging and rewarding, improving my communication skills, becoming more patient, and promoting my capacity for empathy and respect for difference. As I embark on my college journey, I plan to continue my work with special needs students, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed in higher education. I hope to be a doctor that can cross cultures and borders, promoting health equity around the world.