As a five-year-old immigrant from the other side of the world, I had many dreams as I started my journey in my new home country. Of course these dreams were very unrealistic, whether it was being able to talk to my teddy bears one day or being the leader of the entire world. As I began to embrace my new country and its culture, however, the dreams and goals shifted to a more realistic world. But how could these expectations possibly be fulfilled considering the state of my family in this country during one of the most difficult times in history: the great recession? My parents were able to secure a less-than-minimum wage job as housekeeping couple. Their boss was grateful enough to give us a room in the hotel to stay in. This single-bed hotel room, which would be our home for the next four years, meant the world to us. However, financially, we were not fortunate and were living for months without paychecks. The more rooms my parents were able to complete, the more they would be paid. And so, my sisters and I started cleaning rooms at ages five, nine, and twelve. We cleaned rooms every single day, whether it was after school on weekdays or all day on weekends. This struggle convinced us that we would not be able to attend college and get degrees. What was our parents’ biggest dream, became an “unrealistic dream.” I am truly grateful to have experienced those four years as they made me realize that with hard work, anything is possible. They taught me patience, acceptance, and gratitude. As we moved to Gulf Shores, we could see this dream becoming realistic. My parents received a great job offer, and my sisters and I also started working to make sure this dream did not just stay as a “dream.” We were determined to make this dream come true. My parents still work just as much as they did in 2008. Housekeeping, a physically demanding job. Seven days a week. No holidays. However, they now have a steady income and a good home. That means the world to us immigrants, even though the working schedules may be hard. This is all that matters to my parents: a steady income, good shelter, and educating their daughters so that they will have better jobs and won't "end up like us," as they like to say. Their optimism and positivity is what shaped me into the person I am today. No matter how difficult the journey is, keep going and do everything possible to get to the destination. With good intentions, confidence, and hard work, you will surely reach the destination. This is what my family and our story has taught me. Obtaining a college degree has not only been my lifelong goal, but also my family’s. I wish to attend medical school and one day provide healthcare to the underprivileged population. Along with that, I want to be able to provide my parent a retired life full of comfort and no financial struggles. They are the reason I am able to attend college and fulfill my dreams. They never gave up and worked every single day for us to have better futures. Our struggle as an immigrant Indian family of five, starting life in the US in 2008, is the biggest driving force in making me determined to get educated and provide care for others in a world full of healthcare corruption.

Coronavirus- the word that initially seemed like a joke. The word that brought extreme happiness in the eyes of kids and college students because "schools might close for a few weeks." It was on March 13, 2020 that my friends and I listened to our statistics professor say this new virus might shut down not only schools and colleges, but the whole country. We, of course, laughed it off because that would never happen. I mean, come on, how could the country just shut down? I'd never heard of that happening, except now China did shut down. We went about our day, excited as spring break officially began after that class. Sarcastically, we all said goodbye to each other "in case we don't see each other for the entire semester." It was so funny to joke about. That same evening, everyone received a Canvas notification: College will be moved online for two weeks after spring break. Great! I wouldn't have to drive 45 minutes everyday to college. I could just sit at home and do my assignments while watching TV or doing anything I wanted to. Online school felt like a gift. Professors learning how to use Microsoft Teams or Zoom, and giving us easy assignments and tests. That semester was a breeze for most of us. Meanwhile, the virus was uncontrollably spreading, shutting almost the entire world. Who would've thought? Not me! Fear was rising in the family as my grandmother lived with us. What would happen to her if she got it? What if my parents got it and something happened to them? Negativity took over me like COVID-19 took over the world. I lived with constant fear, afraid to step out of my house or even let anyone else step out. There was no guarantee of how long the lock down and pandemic would last. Soon enough, this became the new normal. Summer came with nothing to do. The semester had just finished and my workplace had closed as well. The pessimistic thoughts would not leave me alone. How much could I distract myself with a phone? How much TV could I possibly watch? How much could I sleep? I had to do something or my mental health would be compromised. And so I found solutions. Playing board games or sports with my cousin who lived two minutes away. We would go to each other's houses every morning around 10 and play or bake something until 9 at night. Positivity. This was the one thing I took with me from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it is the worst situation for the entire world, I believe it was important in that it brought many families together and gave some people much needed rest from their daily lives. I learned to be optimistic no matter what. Just being positive can change your mental and physical health. It can be making jokes, or sitting down and spending time with your family, or simply painting trees on an 8 by 11 copy paper. What I learned about myself during this time is nothing compared to what I learned about the world. I wouldn't have imagined that the world would come together. Although there were many protests and division in politics was at its finest in this country, unity stood out to me the most. I've witnessed the people of my county and state come together in order to help the homeless and the poor. Many schools and food bank came together to provide them with food. School lunch was even served to underprivileged students and others even when school wasn't in session. World organizations and leaders were working with each other to do their best possible jobs. Unity was just one aspect of what I learned about the world. The earth was healing from the dangerous, toxic chemicals we produce. Carbon emissions decreased as a result of the significant reduction in use of motor vehicles, which led to cleaner air in many locations. The world witnessed clean waterways, such as the ones in Venice. Fish could be seen through the waters, which was rare considering the previous, cloudy water. Earth was healing! Mother Nature was healing! Life during the pandemic cannot be possibly described in one word. It brought happiness and tears. Jobs were lost. Loved ones were lost. However, what we gained was just as important: unity and much needed healing. COVID-19 taught me to have positivity and see the best in every situation. The world also seemed to have become a better place for a second. It felt like a dream!