explain how to do personal statement

Overcoming Adversity Essay (500/500 words)

When I first came to the US, I tried to follow my grandparents’ advice. “¡Consiga trabajo y trabaje duro!” Unfortunately, they never told me just how difficult it would be to do so. At 16, I still lived with my father and brothers, and had very little privacy. After school, I would walk a mile to the local bakery, and work a four hour shift for $25. Afterwards, because my father was always busy and we could not afford another vehicle, I had to walk 3 ½ miles home. I worked at this bakery for two years. At 18, I took the money I saved and moved out, leaving my opportunity-lacking neighborhood in search of a better job. I began at a shipping company, putting code stickers on plastic bags. I would work 12 hours a day, and despite my broken English, I quickly managed to get promoted as head of the shipping department. My rigorous work ethic and dedication to excellence was not unnoticed. I would always take the time to ask the workers to show me how the forklift load and offload truck works, as I believed it was important for management to know the daily life and tasks of the workers. However, my lack of education and understanding of the English language quickly became a problem. As head of the shipping department, it was crucial that I was able to complete complex calculations to avoid shipping errors. However, I lacked a decent math background, and my English was poor. As such, the CEO, Michelle, told me that although she respected my dedication to the company, she was going to have to let me off because of my inability to communicate and calculate, two vital parts of the role. At that point, I was heartbroken. The job I had poured my heart into for the past 5 years let me off, and I was left crying on my bed with bills to pay and no answer in sight. Shortly, I considered moving back in with my father, but aware that it was not a solution, I grit my teeth and started an EAP course at Broward Community College. At Broward, I was able to study the English language, and I am now much more capable in both mathematical calculation and communication. 3 years after getting fired, I was again able to speak with Michelle – but this time, I spoke in English. I approached her and thanked her, fully aware that if it weren’t for her, I would not be able to speak English or be able to chase my dream in medicine. However, I knew that I was the reason, not she, that I was able to do that. This experience taught me that as long as I set my mind to it, I can learn and do anything. With no basis in English nor Math, it was my own hard work and effort that has led to me being very capable in both, just two years later.