Unique Perspective on Life by Entering the University Essay

Unique Perspective on Life by Entering the University - Essay Example I had to study. That first day in eighth grade I felt out of place in a strange country, away from the only home I had ever known, helplessly drowning in a sea of strangers speaking a strange language. I was tempted to quit and run back to Japan. I sat there, petrified, with no understanding of what was being said and no clue as to what was being studied. Fortunately, I was blessed with teachers that could sense my fear and uncertainty. With their help and patience, I was able to face my difficult situation and confront the struggle that lay ahead of me. My first challenge was learning the English language. I had the good fortune to attend Westfield High School in Virginia, which has an excellent English as a Second Language (ESL) program. This allowed me to learn English while maintaining an academic pace with my peers. Through hard work, diligence, and the demands of my teachers, I made steady progress and soon began to gain a working command of the English language. This ability opened up new doors for me and allowed me to read, communicate, and make friends. It was through these activities that I learned American customs and developed a greater appreciation of our society, holidays, politics, and history. I progressed through the ESL classes and soon joined my classmates in the regular English language courses. My classes were varied and included music, which is one of my main fascinations and avid interests. As time passed, I was no longer running from my schoolwork or escaping into music, I was pursuing academics. Thoughts of Japan began to fade and I no longer had the urge to run back to my familiar homeland. I was not only beginning to talk like an American, but I was beginning to feel like an American as well. As my vocabulary improved and my interests expanded, I was able to complete high school with an academic performance that allowed me to set my sights on higher education. Now, after two years at Northern Virginia Community College studying traditional academic subjects, I have once again set my goals to a higher standard. I have set my sights on a University degree and I am confident that I can excel in a rigorous academic program at that level.