I was born and raised in Korea until I moved to America in 5th grade. My parents left all their family members, friends, jobs, and everything they had worked for to provide a new opportunity for me. Because they risked and sacrificed so much for me, I always felt pressured to work twice as hard in order to make them proud. Whenever I saw my mom cry over the phone because she misses her parents and my dad looking grave because my grandparents are getting old, I felt obliged to do well in school. I wanted to prove to them that their choice was correct and that what they had done for me will change my life for the better. Doing well in school seemed like the only reward I can give to my parents for their sacrifice.
Regardless of my small accomplishments along the way, I always felt like I was falling behind and I was constantly overwhelmed by stress. One day, I vented all my anger out to my parents and complained to them why I have to work so hard and feel like I am obliged to do well in school. I knew my parents had never forced me to do anything but I just wanted to blame them for putting me in this situation. Their answer was simple, “so that you don't have regrets about the chances you could’ve taken and things you could’ve done.” My dad told me about the time when he wanted to study in Japan to become a professor. He was recommended by his professor to study at a University in Japan but he could not afford the cost. My grandparents were too poor and my dad needed to support rest of his siblings. When things are tough, he often wonders how his life could’ve turned out if he went to Japan. I realized how lucky I am to have the opportunity to work hard and the chance to become the best I can be. I no longer study to please my parents, but I do it so that I don’t have regrets about how my life could’ve turned out if I had tried a little harder or taken the chance. I want to take all the opportunities that I am fortunate enough and thankful to have.
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