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Karen Gijan

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Finalist

General information

Age
19
Gender
Female
Ethnicity
Asian

Hobbies & Interests

  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Reading
  • Gardening
  • Cooking

Reading

  • Science Fiction
  • Mystery
  • Adult Fiction
  • Fantasy

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

Hello! My name is Karen Gijan. I am a high school senior from Texas and an incoming freshman at Washington University in St. Louis, where I'll major in Public Health. As a first-generation college student and an immigrant from a low-income background, I passionately advocate for healthcare and educational accessibility; two of the most important aspects of human life. Growing up in a third-world country, I have first-hand experience of the difficulties that lack of financial support imposes on proper healthcare and education, thus, I now work to alleviate these challenges imposed on individuals experiencing the reality I once lived. In life, I hope to make a lasting impact that can allow individuals to receive proper healthcare and education without a cost, so they too can live their aspired futures and embrace the lives they've lived with difficulty.

Education

Washington University in St Louis

Bachelor's degree program

2025 – 2025

Majors:
  • Public Health
Minors:
  • International/Globalization Studies

Acellus Academy

High School

2022 – 2025

GPA3.9 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Freelance Designer

    Freelance

    Jan 2021 – Present

  • Private Tutor

    Tutor

    Jan 2022 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Physician Assistant
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Entrepreneurship
Bold Meaning of Life Scholarship
Life is like a dream that we are all living in. The concept of life is not yet to be determined. We just live our lives to the fullest. We are blessed to be living, that's why we need to cherish every moment of our lives and think of it as a blessing and not a curse. For life is not forever, it is not extended nor deducted. Our life ends in the blink of an eye, whether we want it or not, it's not for us to decide. Life is a dream full of sorrow and darkness, but each day we find the courage to keep fighting. This is the meaning of life. We fight for what we want and live happily until our last breaths. As a person who has lived for quite a long time, I have encountered many events. My overview of life wasn't the best. I have questioned the essence of living each day. It is hard to live a life where you don't know what your purpose is. I always thought that I had to follow someone's orders to get through life. However, it was only recently that my mindset has changed. It was as if my eyes were fully opened to view what my purpose was in this world. At that moment, I exactly knew that I had to follow what I wanted to. What was in my heart and mind was the true meaning of life. Living wasn't about finding your purpose. It was always about exploring your purpose. We must learn to listen to our hearts and minds to find the meaning of our lives. We live life to learn, be free, and be happy. Living is not forever, which is why we don't find the purpose, we explore the purpose.
Karen Gijan Student Profile | Bold.org