Every day, I would sit next to my grandfather as he flipped through the Iranian news, which always led to passionate, colorful dialog about global politics. My grandmother would sit on the floor, preparing herbs for her delicious stews as she shared about their lives in Iran before the revolution. Their stories were like the plots of Hollywood movies: always filled with drama, action, romance, and comedy; yet their joy and laughter never failed to turn into grief and longing once they realized that the old days were no more. It struck my heart to see how much they missed their country. My grandparents’ longing for Iran and their desire to reclaim lost freedom sparked a fire within my soul. It became my mission to create a legacy of freedom for Iranians around the world. Initially, I had no idea how I would do it, but my burning desire to see the smiles on my grandparents’ faces as they returned home drove me to find a way. Sometimes Baba’s stories were interrupted by the sound of my mother’s beautiful voice as she walked through the door. Relief would rush through my body as I ran to hug her. For much of my childhood, my mother worked in National Security and Counter-terrorism. Not knowing if she would come home alive always concerned me, yet it also taught me to appreciate our time on this earth and to live with purpose whilst always embodying love and service. Her tenacity and fearless conviction toward fighting for the freedom she never had back home in Iran heavily influenced the development of my relentless ambition, resilience, and passion for helping those who are unable to help themselves. I never thought I would see my mother– the strongest person I have ever known– become someone who struggled to help herself. In March of last year, my mom and stepdad divorced, catapulting my mother, brothers, and myself into a devastating financial struggle. I watched her lose everything- the business she had spent years building, thirteen years of marriage, and ultimately, a prominent piece of her heart. However, throughout this difficult transition, she continuously guided me to convert pain into strength, rise above difficult experiences, and overcome victimhood – even in the most seemingly impossible situations. Although challenging, I accept that all my experiences have happened for my benefit. The lessons I have learned alongside my family have become my strength, fueling my passion to accomplish my goal of becoming a United States Ambassador to Iran in the future. I aim to re-establish the American embassy in Iran by cultivating a group of individuals who can mend the relationship between the two nations. I believe my cultural background and life experiences, coupled with a rigorous education, and unwavering dedication to service will propel me to leave a powerful impact on the way Iranians and Americans view one another. To accomplish my goals, financial assistance will be a quintessential step toward succeeding in my journey. I am incredibly grateful to be attending the University of San Francisco this Fall to study International Affairs, however, the tuition is notably high. Receiving the Minority Women in LAS Scholarship will not only equip me with the tools necessary to make the impact I desire within the Iranian community, but it will also allow me to serve humanity better, and nurture peace and justice globally. I see myself becoming an Ambassador of the United States to unite peoples, cultures, and communities to appreciate and uplift one another. With the investment of this scholarship, I believe I can make that dream a reality.