At the young age of twelve, my mother, little brother and I immigrated to America because my parents wanted my brother and I to pursue a higher and better education in the United States. The first few years in America were a tremendous challenge for my family and I; learning a new language, culture, and interacting with new friends and teachers without the loving support to guide us. As the years went by, I learned to love and understand the diverse international culture of Los Angeles which brought me new expectations and aspirations. Unfortunately, my family is still separated because my father continues his work in Korea to financially support our family’s livelihood and educational endeavors in America. My mother had many hardships and sacrifices living in a new country and culture, teaching me to be strong and independent. She offered my brother and I, what she never had. Leaving her family, friends, and career in Korea was a hardship and sacrifice that she endured for our sake. Due to her hardships and sacrifices, she instilled in me a strong sense of self-worth and pride with a strong focus on education. I always wanted to make something of myself not only because I want to make a difference and help people, but also because I want to make my devoted mother proud.
Throughout my life, my parents taught me to find a passion in life (career-wise) and to become a strong and independent woman. I strengthened my personal values while deepening my interest in the medical field volunteering at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. I have found true devotion within myself for becoming a pediatrician. I love to help children, with their wide-eyed wonderment of passion and excitement for everything great and small. I believe there is nothing more personally gratifying and fulfilling than helping sick children recover to their full and joyous health. I will be motivated by the sweet smiles I see every day in the eyes of the children I aid. My ambition is to be an agent for social change in the community, to be the person people can trust when they have difficulties meeting their most basic human needs and when they are most vulnerable. As a child growing up in a foreign country, my basic daily needs were difficult to fulfill because of cultural and language barriers. I want to help all the children who are in difficult circumstances by volunteering in “Doctors without borders” helping children in third world countries.
My family has given me the best opportunities for freedom, education, and spirituality here in the United States. By supporting me in my endeavors and allowing me to be the best that I can be. I am so thankful that they have given me such a great opportunity to be able to attend UCLA and fulfill my dream of becoming a pediatrician. This is reason why I do, what I do.
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