My parent's love language has always been acts of service. If my car needs an oil change, my dad will do it without me asking. If I have to go to the store for supplies, my mom will swing by on the way to work. Having this as the baseline for how I feel loved has cultivated the same in my own life. I show people that I love and appreciate them through acts of service. Nursing is the epitome of this as we are caring for those in their most vulnerable states. Ensuring that patients are heard, seen, and advocated for is what acts of service entail. It has been my life's mission to touch as many people as possible and serve them. I first got to experience serving at the hospital pre-and mid pandemic. Seeing the bright smiles when I delivered fresh, blooming flowers to a mother who just had a baby or wheeling a patient to their car after two nights spent and no answers allowed me to speak with many different people. Though it may seem selfish, it filled me with purpose and gratitude that I could help someone in this way. Yet, it was a two-way street. Both parties are left appreciative of one another. A career in nursing allows for daily service and fulfillment. As cliche as it sounds, nothing makes me happier than seeing other people happy. I always tell people when they ask about my dream goals that I want to be a surgical travel nurse. If I am able to, I would love to live overseas and aid in medical procedures. I know that I have been blessed to be able to afford health care and this is something that many do not have the privilege of. Working in remote places combines my love of travel with my love of helping others. Being a nurse is simultaneously a selfish and unselfish job. I've seen the difficulties that nurses deal with during my two years of volunteering for them. The pandemic has caused grave burnout throughout the health care setting. Yet, we are still able to change lives daily. The satisfaction that I am making a difference in one person's life daily is why I want to be a nurse. And in return, I know that they are eternally thankful for the exchange. I know that I could make the best of wherever I am sent and serve the people so they can go on and serve their loved ones.

Homelessness is an epidemic. It is something that many people try their best to look away from. If we can't see it, it's not there. If we bus them out of our pristine neighborhoods, they don't exist. From a young age, I was told that drugs are what put people on the street. That these kinds of people chose their destiny for themselves. On the other hand, as a toddler, I was taught that the three basic necessities are food, water, and shelter. These incongruences have led me to take an interest in those who are unsheltered. Many would argue that having a place to call home is a right. Thus, the deeper issue that can be helped are mental health and attitude changes. College in San Diego has opened my eyes to the detrimental effects of untreated mental health and condescending views of homelessness. From the facade of a utopia in suburban Redondo Beach, my norm was to live in a million-dollar home. However, the prices of homes skyrocketed to result in shelter as a privilege. The streets of San Diego are evidence of this. I began volunteering at my university's homeless outreach program. Weekly, we bring hot coffee, water, and sack lunches to unsheltered people in our community. By going consistently every week, I have the chance to see the same people and form relationships with them. They tell you their stories, discuss their fond childhood memories, and share their great advice. Though deprived of a basic necessity of shelter, the people I meet are full of life. Many are overjoyed to share their lives over a cup of coffee. They are immensely grateful for the things we take for granted: their next meal. As a student, this is an attainable way for me to help with homelessness in my city. However, there is much I would like to do in the future. Another aspect that often comes up is the lack of medical availability. Without insurance, many unsheltered folks are unable to get annual physicals and treatment. With this, mental health screenings are often overlooked as well. The prices of specialized psychiatrists and psychologists are extreme. My future career as a nurse sympathizes with this aspect. Health care should be a human right. Thus I would love to work at a clinic after attaining my degree. With experience in serving unsheltered people, I have gained a valuable lesson in community. Though many do not have a physical home or neighborhood, they form a community with those around them. This is a tight-knit bond where they help and look out for each other. Thus, the goal would be to work at a clinic where I live so I can help people directly in my own residence. An attitude change includes giving people with different circumstances the time of day. There is much that people can be taught by talking to a variety of people. Though not a set solution to homelessness, it is a place to start. We start by seeing people as people, not people less than us. I am grateful that my degree with allows me to serve people in a tangible way. I hope to make a difference in my community, specifically those who are overlooked every day.

My parent's love language has always been acts of service. If my car needs an oil change, my dad will do it without me asking. If I have to go to the store for supplies, my mom will swing by on the way to work. Having this as the baseline for how I feel loved has cultivated the same in my own life. I show people that I love and appreciate them through acts of service. Nursing is the epitome of this as we care for those in their most vulnerable states. Ensuring that patients are heard, seen, and advocated for is what acts of service entail. It has been my life's mission to touch as many people as possible and serve them. I first got to experience serving at the hospital pre-and mid-pandemic. Seeing the bright smiles when I delivered fresh, blooming flowers to a mother who just had a baby or wheeling a patient to their car after two nights spent and no answers allowed me to speak with many different people. Though it may seem selfish, it filled me with purpose and gratitude that I could help someone in this way. Yet, it was a two-way street. Both parties are left appreciative of one another. A career in nursing allows for daily service and fulfillment. As cliche as it sounds, nothing makes me happier than seeing other people happy. I always tell people when they ask about my dream goal that I want to be a surgical travel nurse. If I am able to, I would love to live overseas and aid in medical procedures. I know that I have been blessed to be able to afford health care, which is something many do not have the privilege of. Working in remote places combines my love of travel with my love of helping others. Being a nurse is simultaneously a selfish and unselfish job. I've seen the difficulties that nurses deal with during my two years volunteering for them. The pandemic has caused grave burnout throughout the healthcare setting. Yet, we are still able to change lives daily. The satisfaction that I am making a difference in one person's life daily is why I want to be a nurse. And in return, I know that they are eternally thankful for the exchange. I know that I could make the best of wherever I am sent and serve the people so they can go on and serve their loved ones.

My parent's love language has always been acts of service. If my car needs an oil change, my dad will do it without me asking. If I have to go to the store for supplies, my mom will swing by on the way to work. Having this as the baseline for how I feel loved has cultivated the same in my own life. I show people that I love and appreciate them through acts of service. Nursing is the epitome of this as we are caring for those in their most vulnerable states. Ensuring that patients are heard, seen, and advocated for is what acts of service entail. It has been my life's mission to touch as many people as possible and serve them. I first got to experience serving at the hospital pre-and mid pandemic. Seeing the bright smiles when I delivered fresh, blooming flowers to a mother who just had a baby or wheeling a patient to their car after two nights spent and no answers allowed me to speak with many different people. Though it may seem selfish, it filled me with purpose and gratitude that I could help someone in this way. I got to be personable and hear people's life stories in the short time I saw each patient. I got to feel their pain and also share in their joy when seeing the same patients weekly. Yet, it was a two-way street. Both parties are left appreciative of one another. A career in nursing allows for daily service and fulfillment. As cliche as it sounds, nothing makes me happier than seeing other people happy. I always tell people when they ask about my dream goals that I want to be a surgical travel nurse. If I am able to, I would love to live overseas and aid in medical procedures. I know that I have been blessed to be able to afford health care and this is something that many do not have the privilege of. Working in remote places combines my love of travel with my love of helping others. Just like Cindy, I love nature and being in the outdoors. I would love to join my passion for snowboarding while being a travel nurse in places like Colorado, Utah, and Japan. I also find comfort within the binds of a book where I can get lost in a story and escape reality for a few moments. The satisfaction that I am making a difference in one person's life daily is why I want to be a nurse. And in return, I know that they are eternally thankful for the exchange. I know that I could make the best of wherever I am sent and serve the people so they can go on and serve their loved ones.

My parent's love language has always been acts of service. If my car needs an oil change, my dad will do it without me asking. If I have to go to the store for supplies, my mom will swing by on the way to work. Having this as the baseline for how I feel loved has cultivated the same in my own life. I show people that I love and appreciate them through acts of service. Nursing is the epitome of this as we are caring for those in their most vulnerable states. Ensuring that patients are heard, seen, and advocated for is what acts of service entail. It has been my life's mission to touch as many people as possible and serve them. I first got to experience serving at the hospital pre-and mid pandemic. Seeing the bright smiles when I delivered fresh, blooming flowers to a mother who just had a baby or wheeling a patient to their car after two nights spent and no answers allowed me to speak with many different people. Though it may seem selfish, it filled me with purpose and gratitude that I could help someone in this way. Yet, it was a two-way street. Both parties are left appreciative of one another. A career in nursing allows for daily service and fulfillment. As cliche as it sounds, nothing makes me happier than seeing other people happy. I always tell people when they ask about my dream goals that I want to be a surgical travel nurse. If I am able to, I would love to live overseas and aid in medical procedures. I know that I have been blessed to be able to afford health care and this is something that many do not have the privilege of. Working in remote places combines my love of travel with my love of helping others. Being a nurse is simultaneously a selfish and unselfish job. I've seen the difficulties that nurses deal with during my two years of volunteering for them. The pandemic has caused grave burnout throughout the health care setting. Yet, we are still able to change lives daily. The satisfaction that I am making a difference in one person's life daily is why I want to be a nurse. And in return, I know that they are eternally thankful for the exchange. I know that I could make the best of wherever I am sent and serve the people so they can go on and serve their loved ones.

Growing up in Torrance, California has allowed me to become all too comfortable with my beautiful mix of Japanese and Chinese culture. Everywhere I turn, I can find a delicious ramen restaurant or boba cafe. Asian culture is celebrated and shared. I also have my grandparents with me who make sure I do not forget the heritage that they passed on to me. However, moving to sunny San Diego has cut off this comfort with only 6% of students with Asian backgrounds. This unfamiliar territory has reminded me of what my culture means to me. My culture is not just what I check off on a single box when filling out paperwork. It is the deep, beautiful history that my grandparents tell me about over a bowl of tempura udon. The blend of Chinese heritage and Japanese experience lives through me, defining life as I know it. I take pride in the kimonos and cheongsam attire that people now attempt to appropriate. This cultural diversity is something that I now love about myself. I love to share my favorite dishes that my parents make me when I'm home. My culture makes me who I am, and I wear it proudly. The stereotypes of being a docile, unconfrontational Asian woman have never rung true for me. I use my background experience to speak up for injustice and to allow my voice to be heard. I am a part of my school's Asian Student Union and am a leader of our students of color mentoring program called Team Barnabas. As just one of the few Asian Americans at my school, I enjoy sharing my culture with people who have not experienced it through food, art, and music. Standing a mere five feet, I know people attempt to walk all over me. However, I display my power by standing true to my beliefs and values. Working as a barista has challenged every being in me, however, I have mastered professionalism. When people overlook me or attempt to take my kindness for weakness, I ensure that I stay compassionate and respectful. I can hear my Obachan telling me to "prove them wrong." I think back at my insecure, confused eleven-year-old self who wished to be white for her birthday and laugh. My heritage was something that I tried to hide as I did my makeup and dressed like how my white classmates did. I refused to go to Japanese school and kept my bento boxes locked away at the bottom of my lunch bag. Although Asian culture was all around me, I hid from it like a scary movie. With growth and maturity, I laugh at this because I would not trade my culture for the world. My background has become a defining characteristic that makes me who I am. As I pursue my career in nursing to become a traveling surgical nurse, I aim to bring all my lived experience as an Asian woman into the hospital. I know that I have a perspective that can be utilized in wonderful ways.

In the health care setting, diversity is imperative. Feeling seen, known, and understood is crucial in order to comfort someone who is sick or in pain. At one's most vulnerable moments, I wish to be an advocate for all. Having a diverse team of doctors, nurses, assistants, and workers allow people to bring various backgrounds and culminate an environment for people to feel safe. As an Asian woman in STEM, I know there has not always been a place for me at the table. Yet, as we progress into more accepting and inviting times, I hope to see great change. My career goal since a young, starry-eyed girl has been a traveling surgical nurse. It was an LGBTQIA+ Asian woman who held this exact position who told me about her experience in the world. This lady who did not fit the status quo, with tattoos, piercings, non-heteronormative, and an outspoken woman did not allow anyone to tell her she could not have a seat at the table. Seeing someone like me gave me the inspiration to dream. Thus, seeing others like me could only bring familiarity and relief in a hospital. It was only recently that the medical field debunked the myth that Black women have higher pain tolerance. The ability for misinformation that harms people was able to slip under the cracks for far too long. This exact instance is why diversity is crucial. Having people who do not look like you, who grew up in other countries, who lived a life opposite to you, only helps everyone. In the pandemic, I saw relatives being hurt by ignorance. Our most vulnerable, the elderly, were being attacked for things out of their control. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many were wary of even being near Asians, specifically Chinese people. As a Chinese-American, diversity means overcoming the ignorance and misinformation that is spread. Having people around you that have different cultures manifests in appreciation and knowledge. Growing up in a diverse town in Southern California made me all too comfortable with seeing people like me as well as people of other races, genders, and sexualities. However, moving to San Diego has been a culture shock. Diversity is incredibly important as I find comfort in the single, small Asian club. It is here that I find shared experience and comfort. This translates in many other scenarios, however, I know that I can make a difference in my career. As I travel to new destinations, places where people who look like me may be lacking, I know I can be a refreshing face to those who I can help. I bring my lived experience of being a Chinese and Japanese American woman with me as I can affect the lives of others.