Living with food sensitivities is an ordeal that has altered my future entirely. My food sensitivities are a product of the gastrointestinal issues I suffer from— irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia. For the past year, I have dealt with these chronic disorders. As a result of these disorders, I have developed sensitivities and intolerances to the following foods: wheat/gluten, dairy/lactose, beef, sandwich meats, bacon, sausages, shrimp, scallops, onion, garlic, black pepper, sesame seeds, apples, certain stone fruits, dried fruits, avocado, various legumes, chocolate, chewing gum, and generally all candy. In addition, my digestive system cannot process foods that are: fried, spicy, and pickled/vinegary. Finally, I cannot consume carbonated beverages, artificial fruit juices, alcohol, and coffee. The extensive list of sensitivities and intolerances that I have today is the result of months of food trials, elimination diets, blood tests, and gastrointestinal lab procedures. Getting a diagnosis for the cause of the constant pain and discomfort I would experience daily was an exhausting and unimaginably time-consuming journey. Both the clinically conducted and self-administered tests came during a time when there was no chance to take a break— it was my first semester at a school far away from home. Navigating through the adverse experiences alone took a toll on my mental health. I struggled to develop and maintain a nutrient-rich diet. I was not prepared financially to live a lifestyle consuming 'gluten-free,' 'dairy-free,' and 'allergen-friendly' food products. I continuously relapsed, fell into temptation, and binged foods I knew would cause me harm. Living with a substantial amount of dietary restrictions has made it difficult for me to participate in social gatherings, such as going out with friends, attending family functions, experiencing school events, and enjoying the traditional feasts of the holidays. Having food sensitivities has also drastically altered my career aspirations. Before I decided to study linguistics, I knew I wanted to travel the world and would dream about experiencing the diverse cuisines of various cultures. When I became interested in linguistics, I saw a clear path to fulfill my dream and simultaneously create a career from it. My initial goal was to become a freelance translator who worked around the world. Traveling would allow me to experience culture and language firsthand. Having these experiences would give my localization work authenticity, as it would reflect the current and continuously changing styles of languages. Due to my many food sensitivities, it is not possible for me to fully obtain new cultural experiences as food is an integral component of culture. While my experience dealing with food sensitivities has been strenuous, it has also shaped my life positively. My experience has taught me the discipline it takes to maintain a healthy diet. I have developed creative cooking techniques and new ways to utilize my “safe” foods. Most importantly, I have learned to prioritize my health and encourage my loved ones to do so as well. Today, I can assert that I have overcome many of the initial obstacles that one faces when dealing with food sensitivities. Nonetheless, I am only about a year into the lifelong undertaking that is living with chronic conditions. This scholarship would assist my pursuit of higher education as I continue to cope with my food sensitivities and seek treatment for my gastrointestinal disorders. Despite my arduous journey, I continue to love food, including that which I cannot consume. It fills my heart to see people enjoy all the food our world has to offer. I live vicariously through those who craft and consume all types of cultural cuisines using my forbidden foods.