Growing up as a Vietnamese Buddhist I felt alienated. As a first generation Vietnamese immigrant and being culturally Buddhist, I was different from my peers. While some classmates went to church or stayed home on Sunday mornings, my family and I would pass out vegan food at the only local Buddhist temple in our city. When my friends visited my house, they would flash curious eyes at the shrines and altars that were so prominent in my living room, always adorned with fresh fruit offerings. At night during sleepovers, I would sneak out to do my daily medication and light incense at the altars, feeling too ashamed to tell my friends. For many years afterwards, I would keep my practices to myself. When I attended the University of Florida, as a health science major, it was at my darkest that I reconnected with Buddhist principles. My first semester away from home, I felt at a loss. Being away from family, my community, my support system and being confronted with a need to decide my career path I felt starkly alone and lost. It was at this moment in my life, my Buddhist faith and connection with Buddhist teachings that empowered me to be more connected with others and guided me to a career in nursing. In this moment of hesitancy in my life, I sought solace and guidance from a small local Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Gainesville named Tu Viện A Nan. In medication, I reflected upon the principles of Buddhism that I so deeply connected with throughout my life. In speaking with monks and nuns, I looked back on my life experiences to recognize that my passion lies in creating moments of dignity in the face of suffering and caring for those who are vulnerable. My devotion to these principles grew as I continued to become more involved in the local community, volunteering countless hours as a certified nurse assistant at a local homeless shelter and fostering animals through the Humane Society. I was able to widen my lens of the various people and animals that exist in a community and that service is not just a duty, but a profound privilege to create meaningful change. This fall I start an accelerated nursing program at the University of South Florida, where I plan on dedicating my life to serving others as a nurse.I plan to dedicate my energy to academic success, clinical training, and leadership development while in nursing school, to ensure that I will make a meaningful impact in the nursing industry and with my patients. My Buddhist background and clinical experience have exposed me to many different barriers, pushing me to challenge myself to provide holistic care to vulnerable patients in need. Giving back to the community continues to be important for me. I hope to utilize my nursing background to create new steps for potentially underserved Buddhists to access healthcare needs. I hope to partner with local temples, like Tu Viện A Nan, to host basic health screening clinics (such as blood pressure and glucose checks) for elders.This scholarship would empower me to pursue my aspirations of becoming a nurse who not only provides exceptional patient care but also mentors and motivates others to contribute to the advancement of healthcare for all. Thank you so much for your consideration.