My grandparents, from both my father and mother, were immigrants to Indonesia in search of a better living when they were still teenagers. Though for different reasons, my parents immigrated to the U.S. during the early 2000’s, leaving their extended family to search for freedom and security. I was born with both the culture and heritage of hard work and independence of thoughts. “Live Free or Die” is more than just the New Hampshire state motto for me and my family. My parents immigrated to the U.S. to avoid religious persecution, leaving their families and their middle/upper class comfort in Indonesia to start with nothing in America. The value of freedom and what it means for them, being able to live without fear, being able to go to the house of worship without being threatened, and being able to walk in the neighborhood without constantly looking back for stalkers is worth every drop of sweat and every ounce of effort that our family expends to build our life and future in America. As a native born American, who has seen the plenty in America, the opportunities it gives to its citizens, and the generosity and tolerance of its people, it is not always clear to me during my early upbringing to understand that freedom is not free. However, it is through the exemplifying life and actions of my parents, that I grasped how grateful we should be to live in this land of freedom and opportunities. This is my personal perspective contribution to community, through both my interactions with my peers and with my patients. I also believe that human potential is limitless and regardless of our race and socioeconomic status, we were given the same mental capital when we were born. We were born geniuses with immeasurable talents and potentials and it was only the external factors of our upbringing that either develop or hinder the development of our abilities and aptitudes. As a PA, I seek to be those positive external influences to help my peers to cultivate and progress their life to the fullest. It is also by doing so that I can develop my potential further. I believe that there is a time and season for everything. A time to study and time for fun. A time to nurture and time to hold back. A time to learn and time to teach. A time to speak and a time to listen. A time for success and a time for failure. I believe in a life that is balanced and a life that avoids all extremes.

I was health challenged during my formative years and I am partially disabled in my hearing. These experiences contributed to forming my desire on how I can bring the advances of modern engineering to the field of classical medicine. I believe that the marriage of engineering/computing/manufacturing technologies and the knowledge of the human body will not only bring a new level of understanding on how to develop new medicine, but also to develop new devices and their associated procedures that are least intrusive and most comfortable to the patients. The field of classical medicine focuses mostly on pharmaceutical treatment of the patients, and could benefit from the mechanical treatment based on modern space age technology. I understand the importance of working hard and what it means to persevere to reach a very distant goal. I encouraged my peers at Weiss High School to aim high and take higher-level courses. I initiated and led SAT and math study groups, and I made myself available as a tutor to my peers. As an individual in the student community, I will continue to do the same and share my academic and life learnings to my fellow students. During the 2023 summer, I plan to attend an EMT training and then volunteer in an on-campus EMT group starting in my freshman year. Accidents can happen at any place and I want to do what I can to help. I am also currently our family treasurer, helping my father to verify, plan, and balance the family income and expenses. I would like to join a student organization and offer my service in a similar capacity. I love playing piano and sharing the enjoyment of music. Given the opportunity, I want to participate in the Butler Piano Project for young musicians as a staff member to the group. On a simpler side, I would enjoy playing at the lounges in between classes to entertain local students and visitors. Piano playing is a perishable skill and requires constant practice and repetition, and so is any other academic and professional skill. Second, the same song played by two different personalities will speak different feelings and messages. It taught me to respect other people’s opinions and situations. Piano playing allowed me to express myself through a language that is natural to me, through synthesizing and presenting my thoughts in logical but smooth harmonies. Piano and music allow me to discover what I can do and unlock my mind that many things are possible if we put hard work and effort. The power of 10,000 hours.

“Live Free or Die” is more than just the New Hampshire state motto for me and my family. My parents immigrated to the U.S. to avoid religious persecution, leaving their families and their middle/upper class comfort in Indonesia to start with nothing in America. The value of freedom and what it means for them, being able to live without fear, being able to go to the house of worship without being threatened, and being able to walk in the neighborhood without constantly looking back for stalkers is worth every drop of sweat and every ounce of effort that our family expends to build our life and future in America. As a native born American, who has seen the plenty in America, the opportunities it gives to its citizens, and the generosity and tolerance of its people, it is not always clear to me during my early upbringing to understand that freedom is not free. However, it is through the exemplifying life and actions of my parents, that I grasped how grateful we should be to live in this land of freedom and opportunities. My grandparents, both my father and mother, were immigrants to Indonesia in search of a better living when they were still teenagers. Though for different reasons, my parents immigrated to the U.S. during the early 2000s, leaving their extended family to search for freedom and security. I was born with both the culture and heritage of hard work and independence of thought. By coming here, my parents gave me an opportunity that was not afforded to them or their parents. The opportunity to grow up in America, under an education system far better than what they had growing up. To whom much is given, much will be demanded, and I aspire to change the world through the opportunity of education in America. To many people, changing the world is associated with a lofty, almost unattainable goal, that only such people as Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Einstein, and their likes can do. Maybe that is true. For me, however, changing the world has a very different ringtone, purpose, and application. Changing the world means becoming a net contributor to society, to make difference in the lives of a neighbor, the homeless living under the bridge, and the little boy suffering an asthma attack at the doctor’s office. Changing the world starts with an attitude of caring, giving, and sharing. It is the epitome of selflessness and servant leadership. Education through a high academic standard and a competitive student body teaches not only the need to work hard and persevere, but also elucidates that changing the world is neither easy nor free. It takes grit to temper yourself and it starts with me.