personal statment 1000 words
zaidal
personalstatmante121.docxZaid 3
2.1
Zaid Alkhatib
Amber Sturus
College Success
16 February 2018
Throughout my not so long life, I have been an ardent believer of the fact that situations in life should not be hindrances but rather stepping stones to success. Whilst people may have different definitions of success, I believe mine is shared by many like me out here to find a better life for themselves. The type of lives we would only see on magazines if we enjoyed the comforts of our cocoons and fail to brave the all so numerous challenges.
To say I have had challenges would be an understatement. The fact that I am here in the US should be enough proof that challenges should never define man. Challenges have all the while shared the same fate as my shadow and enjoyed a front row seat in my life. For a large phase of my life, comfort and three square meals were tall tales. The tales I was familiar to were those of sleeping tired and often hungry, in a not so comfortable bed that left me more tired than when I slept. This would often leave me no choice than to stay up most nights and study. The all feared high school national exam would sure not have the last of me.
Despite everything I went through, my dream of becoming a computer engineer did not wither one bit. The ill state of my mother was enough motivation, leave alone my country Palestine that is ever at war. It has always been my dream to be of help and healing to my family and country. Apart from just being a computer engineer, I very much wanted to study at the US. This is because I knew for sure that I would get better quality education and be more exposed. I would definitely become a better engineer, and chances of furthering my education would be well secured.
In the pursuit of my dream, I passed my high school national exams and emerged among the best in my home district. While the others who passed were children of the rich and famous war lords of our country, I worried for my future wondering what would happen next. It was during the coverage of a story in my area that a local TV station sought a translator. Since I was among the very few educated herder boys in my area, I volunteered to translate. Little did I know that would be the turning point of my life .
I later had a chat with the presenter who told me of an organization that offered scholarships to the US. I promptly applied and was hopeful of a positive feedback. To my dismay, I was not selected. The pain of having to wait another semester was not too much to bear. I waited and applied the second time. This time hoping to finally get a chance to pursue my dream. My joy was incomprehensible when I saw the village Mail Boy strolling over to our house with a letter in hand. I had made it. This was a point of no return.
I am finally in the US studying computer engineering. The story of my life truly shows my determination in times of hardships, the commitment to my work and above all, endurance of difficult situations in the path to my goals. Life has taught me to be a fighter for what I believe and to be patient as I work on improving my life. Through my life I have learnt that regardless of life’s situations, I can always rise against the odds and work my way to success. These hard learnt lessons and values will always remain a part of me in all phases and stages of my life.
My reason for being here is not just to earn a tittle to my name, but to improve the lives of my people and countrymen. To make them healthier and stronger. To help in bringing my country back on its feet where it once belonged. Despite it being a tough task, the much I have learnt from my previous endeavors will help me push on in the search of a better life for my people. My education and experience will not only improve me career wise, but also in my whole being as a person, in my interactions and communication with other people.
