Going to college means much more to me than just earning a degree. It represents opportunity, growth, and the ability to transform my life through education. As someone who moved from Iraq to the United States without knowing English, I did not initially see college as something that was simply expected—it felt like something distant and difficult to reach. Over time, as I learned the language and adapted to a new education system, college became a symbol of what persistence and resilience can achieve. For me, college is also a place where I am building my identity and future career. I am currently pursuing nursing because I want to enter a profession where knowledge and compassion directly impact people’s lives. In college, I am not only learning science-based subjects like anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, but also developing communication skills, critical thinking, and clinical judgment. These are skills I will carry into every patient interaction in my future career as a nurse. At a deeper level, college represents independence and responsibility. I understand that the effort I put in now will determine the opportunities I have later. Each exam, clinical experience, and assignment is a step toward becoming a healthcare professional who can provide safe, compassionate, and culturally aware care. College is where I am turning my past struggles into motivation to succeed rather than limitations. My main goal is to become a registered nurse who can serve diverse communities, especially immigrants and individuals who face language or cultural barriers in healthcare. I know from personal experience how intimidating it can be to navigate systems when communication is difficult. I want to be someone who can help patients feel understood, respected, and supported during vulnerable moments in their lives. Beyond my personal career goals, I also want to use my education to make a broader impact. I hope to mentor and encourage other students who come from similar backgrounds, especially those who may feel behind or unsure of their abilities. I want them to understand that their starting point does not define their future, and that education can open doors they may not have thought were possible. In the long term, I am trying to accomplish both personal and community growth. Personally, I want to become a skilled and confident nurse who provides high-quality care. For my community, I want to be a source of support, advocacy, and encouragement for patients and students alike. College is the foundation that is helping me turn these goals into reality, step by step.

I chose to further my education in STEAM because I am drawn to fields that combine science, problem-solving, and real-world impact. Nursing, in particular, allows me to apply science in a direct and meaningful way by caring for people during some of the most critical moments of their lives. I see healthcare as both a technical and human-centered field, where knowledge must be paired with empathy, communication, and cultural understanding. My interest in this path is strongly connected to my personal background. I moved from Iraq to the United States without knowing any English, and that experience shaped how I view education and opportunity. At first, I struggled not only academically but also in understanding instructions, classroom expectations, and social interactions. Over time, I learned that persistence and consistent effort could close gaps that once felt overwhelming. This experience helped me develop resilience and a strong work ethic, both of which are essential in STEAM-related careers where continuous learning and adaptation are required. Choosing nursing within STEAM allows me to combine science-based learning—such as anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology—with hands-on clinical practice. I am motivated by the challenge of understanding how the human body works and how evidence-based interventions can improve patient outcomes. At the same time, I value the human side of care, especially for patients who face barriers like language differences, limited health literacy, or cultural misunderstandings. I understand what it feels like to be in a system where communication is difficult, and I want to help bridge that gap for others. This scholarship would have a significant impact on my ability to continue my education without financial stress. It would allow me to focus more fully on my coursework, clinical training, and skill development rather than worrying about tuition and related expenses. Nursing education is demanding, and having financial support would give me the stability to dedicate the necessary time and energy to becoming a competent and confident future nurse. In the long term, I plan to use my education to serve diverse communities, especially immigrant and underserved populations. I want to work in healthcare settings where I can make a direct difference in patient care while also advocating for clearer communication and culturally sensitive treatment. Beyond that, I hope to encourage other students with similar backgrounds to pursue STEAM fields by showing them that their challenges can become strengths. Overall, I chose STEAM because it aligns with my interests in science, my personal experiences, and my desire to help others. This scholarship would not only support my education but also bring me closer to becoming a healthcare professional who contributes meaningfully to both patients and the broader community.

I was born in Iraq and moved to the United States with no knowledge of English. This transition was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but it also became the foundation of my educational journey and the reason I am so committed to my future goals in healthcare. When I first arrived, even simple daily communication felt overwhelming. I relied heavily on observation, gestures, and the help of others just to get through basic situations at school. In the classroom, I often felt lost because I could not understand instructions or participate fully. However, instead of giving up, I slowly began to adapt by paying close attention, practicing vocabulary every day, and asking questions whenever I could. The first few years were especially challenging because I had to learn English while also keeping up with academic expectations. There were moments when I felt discouraged and behind my peers, but I used those feelings as motivation rather than letting them define me. Over time, I began to notice progress. I started understanding conversations, reading more confidently, and eventually expressing myself clearly in both academic and social settings. Learning English not only helped me succeed in school but also gave me a sense of independence and confidence that I had never experienced before. These experiences shaped my educational journey in a powerful way. They taught me discipline, patience, and resilience. I learned that success does not come instantly, especially when you are starting from a place of disadvantage, but consistent effort leads to meaningful progress. This mindset has carried me through my college education as a nursing student at UT Health San Antonio, where I continue to face challenging science-based courses and clinical expectations. My background has made me more determined to succeed because I know what it feels like to struggle and slowly overcome barriers. My future goal is to become a registered nurse and provide compassionate, high-quality care to patients from all backgrounds, especially those who may face language barriers or feel misunderstood in healthcare settings. I want to be the kind of nurse who not only treats medical conditions but also makes patients feel heard, respected, and comfortable. To pay it forward, I plan to support future generations of students who share similar struggles, especially immigrants and first-generation students. I hope to mentor them academically and emotionally, helping them adjust to new environments and encouraging them not to give up when things feel difficult. I also want to use my healthcare career to advocate for culturally sensitive care, ensuring that patients who struggle with language or unfamiliar systems receive equal and respectful treatment. In this way, I hope to turn my personal challenges into a source of strength that benefits others.

At the age of 10, I arrived in the United States with the daunting task of mastering the English language to pass my 5th-grade STAAR exam. It was a challenging journey, but I was determined and committed to achieving my goal. I spent countless hours studying and practicing, and after three years of hard work and persistence, I finally became fluent in English. Despite the language barrier, I have managed to excel in my studies and maintain an unweighted GPA above 3.5. This is a testament to my unwavering commitment to academic excellence and my ability to overcome obstacles through hard work and dedication. I am proud of my accomplishments and look forward to continuing to pursue my academic goals with the same level of determination and perseverance. As a Muslim teenager in the United States, I have encountered numerous difficulties, including bullying and discrimination, which have shaped my character and strengthened my resolve. However, I have never lost sight of my objectives, and I remain steadfast in my confidence and determination to achieve my goals. I am convinced that my perseverance and resilience make me an ideal candidate for this scholarship because I am unwavering in my determination to make a positive impact on society and stay focused on my goals. As I look ahead to my future, I am filled with a deep sense of purpose and determination to pursue my ultimate aspiration of becoming a premed student and attending medical school. My passion for medicine and healthcare has been a driving force in my life, and I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it the most. One of my primary goals is to assist individuals in underprivileged areas in gaining a better understanding of their health and anatomy. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background. Through my work as a premed student and future physician, I hope to help bridge the gap between healthcare disparities and provide care to those who are often overlooked or underserved. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, as it will enable me to pursue my dreams and make a positive impact on the world. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the field of medicine and serve my community.

Whenever I watched the movie inside out it changed my life forever. I feel like even though it is a Disney movie for kids, it has so much depth it that has to do with psychology which I am so fascinated by. Inside and Out would be the movie I would watch for the rest of my life. The movie talks about core memories and how they define and shape our lives. Core memories also dictate how we react and perceive certain things. Aside from core memories, inside out also validates the different types of emotions one can go through during a particular event. I feel like the movie was very intriguing as it accurately describes the feelings someone would go through when developing through their childhood and into their late adolescent years. As an adolescent myself I can watch that movie over and over again because I tend to find out new details somewhere along the scenes. Inside Out is a Disney production that has had an incredible impact on my life. Despite being a film geared towards children, it explores the fascinating world of psychology. Specifically, it touches on the concept of core memories and how they shape our existence. These memories have the ability to influence our reactions and perceptions toward certain situations, and the film does an excellent job of showcasing this phenomenon. What I find truly remarkable about the movie is how it validates the range of emotions we can experience in response to a given event. It shows that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or frustrated and that those emotions are just as valid as joy or happiness. As someone who is fascinated by psychology, I found the movie to be exceptionally captivating. It accurately portrays the emotional journey of a person from childhood to late adolescence, and it does so in a way that is both relatable and poignant. One of the things I appreciate about Inside Out is that it doesn't shy away from complex emotions. It acknowledges that life is messy and complicated and that our experiences shape us in ways that we may not even be aware of. As a young adult, I can watch this movie repeatedly and still discover new details that I may have missed before. It's a testament to the film's depth and complexity, and it's a reminder that even the most seemingly simple stories can have a profound impact on our lives.

I can fully understand and relate to Malgorzata's struggles, as my family and I encountered a similar situation when we migrated to the United States from Iraq seven years ago. We were in a completely new country without any family or support system, which proved to be quite challenging. Moreover, my sister and I did not know any English, which was a daunting obstacle to overcome. At the time, I was in fifth grade and had to pass my finals to move on to middle school and to do so, I had to learn English in just one year. This was a seemingly impossible task that I had to accomplish. There were numerous instances when I felt like giving up, especially when people doubted my abilities, including my teacher. However, I was determined to prove them wrong and pass the test. In addition to the language barrier, I had to cope with physical difficulties as well. In sixth grade, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, which required me to wear a brace for at least 18 hours a day and undergo physical therapy. The process was not easy, but I persevered through the pain and trusted the process. My goal was to avoid surgery, and I knew that if I did everything right, I would eventually achieve that goal. I remember every doctor's appointment I went to they told me that my chances of having surgery were very high, however, the more I heard those comments, my temptations to prove them wrong only increased. I recall the days were I was so sore I could barely move my back, and the days were I got frustrated due to the restrictions the brace put on my movements. After all of that, 4 years later, I am off my bracing, still doing my workouts, and not getting surgery anytime soon. All of these experiences have led me to consider pursuing a career in the medical field. As a graduating high school senior, I plan to pursue dentistry as my career path. My plan is to major in biology with a medical concentration, and then apply to dental school. My objective is to help people feel confident about their smiles and bring a smile to their faces. I feel that this is the best way to give back to society and make a positive impact on people's lives. When looking at Malgorzata I feel like all of the things I went through and am planning to do align with her accomplishments and values.

Carried me for 9 months, then ended up with scars due to the surgery she had to go through to have me. Mi mama - my mom. My mom inspires me because when the odds were all against her, she came through with determination and willpower. My mom did not have an easy upcoming. She grew up in an unprivileged household where she had no light to finish her homework. She lived through a war and still managed to graduate with a 3.8 GPA from high school. She went into computer engineering, blossomed, and became a college professor. After that, she married my dad and had me less than a year later. My mom sacrificed so much for my siblings and I. She gave up her family and her job to bring us here so that we can have a chance at a better future. She was not fluent in English, so she struggled to communicate with people. She stayed home while my dad worked and my sister and I went to school. However, her pregnancy with my baby brother put her life at risk. During her pregnancy, my mom found out she had gestational diabetes. She had to follow a strict diet with her food or she could lose the baby. This was a hard time for all of the family but seeing how she handled the situation and was determined to have her unborn child safely even if it meant not eating as much as she wanted to - keep in mind she was feeding not only herself, but another living human inside of her - was memorable to me. Another thing that inspired me was her striving to become the best version of herself. As mentioned before, my mom did not know English. However, she began listening to educational videos and practicing her speaking to go out in the community and be able to effectively communicate. After becoming better at English she got a job to help out our family with finances. The process was not easy, but she managed to secure a well-paying job that covered our needs. While working she made sure that every night there was food on the table, everyone went to bed with a full stomach, and had lunch in their bags the next day. There were days when she would wake up at 4 AM and go to bed at 11 PM just to make sure that everything was ready for the next day. If anyone else was in my mom’s shoes and went through the hardships she went through, they would have most likely crumble. This woman taught me that no matter what happens, the sun does not wait for you and shines the next day regardless. She motivates me to do better in life, and I hope that one day I can be as strong as her.