Don’t be a victim, have integrity, have a dream, and no dream is too big

“Don’t be a victim, have integrity, have a dream, and no dream is too big.” This is what my mother has always taught me. This is the lesson that has shaped my life, my ambitions, my goals and my relationships. I am first generation American whose mother had decided to go against the odds and move to the United States of America looking for a better future and more opportunities. Being a first-generation American, a lot of hardships and circumstances has allowed me to be what I am now. It all started twenty-one years ago when my mother decided to move from Beijing, China to the United States. She could not speak English and had no idea of the new American culture, yet she dreamed big. Seventeen years ago, when I was born that she started to work seven days a week as a single mother and only provider to raise me. She sacrificed her aspirations, so I could have the privilege to get an education and use my mind. 

Her hard work, her dedication, and her discipline are my inspiration. Today, she owns a small beauty salon and works diligently as a hairdresser so that I can go to a private school and get an opportunity to maximize my potential to live the American Dream. Inspired by her hard work and discipline, I can learn these same characteristics and incorporate it into my life. She is constantly reminding me that “Don’t be a victim, have integrity, have a dream, and no dream is too big.” These words are values that I incorporate into everything I do. These words have helped me develop a personal motivation for studies as well as pursuing my personal interests i.e. Golf and music.

For me, Golf is not only a sport. Golf has taught me self-reliance and helped mature into an independent adult. It has also helped me understand the importance of being vigilant, dedicated, and focused to achieve the success. I have become more disciplined, systematic and organized as I have grown up learning golf. Currently, I am a successful golfer. I have also learned to value time.

While my mother has always emphasized on focus and dedication, she has also made sure I stay connected to my roots and culture. Therefore, she sends me to China almost every year for me to learn the culture, traditions, and values. As a result, I have the necessary exposure to not only American values but also Chinese culture. Travelling has made me more confident and open-minded as well.

Since my mother is my inspiration, and I am thankful to her for her hard work, I have always tried to be her ultimate support and help. Since I was fifteen years old, I always helped my mother with paying bills, filing documents, doing laundry, cooking food, and cleaning the car. There is a Chinese saying “相依为” that means, “Each life is depended on one another.” This describes the relationship that my mother and I have very well; we both need each other to be successful. She works hard to support me while I do everything in my power to help wherever I can.

I feel that everything that I have lived up to all started from a decision of my mother to move to the USA. It was my mother’s dream, dedication, and strength that I am now living a prestigious life. I believe that higher education from a prestigious institute like Harvard University will help me progress even further. I believe that getting admission in Harvard University will help establish myself as a successful individual – personally, professionally and socially. For me, education is an important aspect of one’s life that requires dedication, focus, self-confidence, and ambition to become fruitful. Since I have a firm belief that I have these virtues; I want an opportunity to get admission in the prestigious institute where I can learn and develop skills for a better profession, future, and personal satisfaction. I want to acquire higher education not only to be competitive but also to become analytical and a critical thinker who has the ability to contribute to the society and my nation in a constructive manner. I believe that Harvard University will be that opportunity that can help me become a useful and worthy individual.