Personal Insight Question #4

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity OR

worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

I’ve only seen Italy in movies or read about it in textbooks. It never occurred to me that I

would be anywhere other than my home in Los Angeles, let alone another continent! This all

changed when I earned the opportunity to travel to Italy for one month as a Palazzo Strozzi

finalist to truly experience the heart of the Renaissance.

On July 5, 2017, I found myself ready to depart Los Angeles and make my way to Italy.

For a month, I had the opportunity to experience a different culture and have a better

understanding of life during the Italian Renaissance. I witnessed Italy’s rich history emanating

from their museums, historical structures, and even their cobblestone streets: it was

breathtaking. From climbing 463 steps to the top of the Duomo in Florence to touring the

Vatican in Rome, it was something I never imagined I’d experience.

I remained in a constant sense of awe by the experience. It gave me a newfound

appreciation for the era that I did not have before. This was because I realized how much

people have progressed throughout the years and how truly profound each building and work of

art is. For example, there are countless depictions of the Madonna and Child, each one depicts

the same subjects, but not in the same light. The “Madonna of the Goldfinch” by Raphael in the

Uffizi gallery was perhaps my favorite variation out of all the ones I saw. In this painting, I felt as

though I could feel the softness of the scene unfolding; specifically Jesus. His portrayal in this

painting seemed much more authentic compared to the other artworks that didn’t convey much

expression or movement. I loved the expressions and the overall use of interactions between

the characters.

This summer was the first time I was away from home and from my family. I experienced

how amazing it was to immerse myself in a new culture. This opportunity has instilled a new
passion for traveling as well as new experiences, which I plan to continue through study abroad

opportunities.

Personal Insight Question #6

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this

interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

The human body is composed of complex elements, and many parts still remain a

mystery to be solved. I’ve always been interested with anything having to do with the human

body. During my 9th grade year, I always looked forward to my biology class because I

genuinely wanted to learn about the subject. I remember how excited I would be for dissections

while many of my classmates weren’t as enthusiastic at the prospect of cutting open a fetal pig.

However, that didn’t bother me at all. It only fueled my appreciation and curiosity.

Last year, I was assigned a year long project where I was to pick a global issue and

compile my own research in order to produce a synthesis essay. I ran to make sure I got

infectious disease as my research topic for my synthesis essay. Many of my classmates had a

difficult time with their essays, but that wasn’t the case for me. It was fun to learn about how

infectious diseases impact humans and the importance of health care in developing nations

where infectious diseases run rampant.

Other than school, I enjoy doing my own research on a myriad of topics such as natural

defects of the body, mysterious illnesses, and old medicine practices. This past summer I had

the opportunity to go to Italy for one month. While I was there I was able to visit the Museo di

Palazzo Poggi in Bologna, Italy. The museum is full of 18th century anatomical waxworks

ranging from birth complications, human anatomy, and old tools used for medical procedures. I

was so immersed in the collection that I spent the entire time just analyzing each wax figure and

tool.
 Now whenever I come across anything pertaining to the human body, I am immediately

drawn in. It is because of this that I strive to expand my own knowledge and curiosity by

furthering my education in the biology field as a physical therapist or sports medicine doctor.

Personal Insight Question #5

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have

taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic

achievement?

Physical therapy was something I never thought I would have to experience. However,

during my sophomore year of volleyball I found myself waiting anxiously for a sports medicine

evaluation due to constant physical pain that haunted my body. After my initial appointment with

Dr. Fong, I was diagnosed with multiple inflamed muscles, patella femoral syndrome, and

muscles that were considerably weaker than the left side of my body. The source of my pain

had stemmed from what began as minor discomfort to increasing stabs of pain.

As my pain increased and became a part of my daily life, my appointments grew

frequent, resulting in weekly absences. Catching up on all of my assignments became a

challenge as all my work continued to pile up. When I was in school, it was extremely difficult to

not focus on the constant pain that just wouldn’t stop demanding my attention. In spite of my

own frustration, I pushed through in school and made sure I didn’t fall behind in my classes. I

also learned to properly take care of my body to prevent any sort of relapse.

I did my own research on various stretches and exercises to increase the progress of my

muscle strength. Additionally, I watched different videos to learn how to prevent and minimize

any more pain by learning to tape the parts of my body that needed the extra support during

practice and actual games. Sure enough I had succeeded. I went from having appointments

almost every week to only as needed, and now I no longer need to have any appointments at

all. This experience has put me on the path to pursuing a career in sports medicine or physical
therapy. One day I hope to help others who might find themselves searching for ways to

overcome their physical challenges just as I had.

Personal Insight Question #7

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

From a young age I couldn’t help but notice how hard my mom worked to support my

family on her own. I rarely had time to see her on weekdays, only in the morning and briefly in

the evenings. It was because of this that I wanted to do everything I could to support her. I had

to learn how to take on different responsibilities in order to support my community at home.

Growing up, my family consisted of myself, my mom, and my older sister. Eventually my

mom married my stepfather: my once quiet life became filled with noise. There were now four

hyperactive kids running around constantly. While this was a positive change in my eyes, I knew

it didn’t relieve the stress my mom constantly carried. My stepfather wasn’t home most of the

time, which took a toll on my younger siblings. It was then that my older sister and I did our best

to become caretakers in order to support them. This included dropping off and picking up our

siblings, attending any school performances, cooking, helping with homework, and getting them

ready for bed. It was important for me to become someone that they could rely on and confide

in. However, now that my sister has gone off to college, I am solely responsible for these young

lives.

As I’ve become more involved in school, it became increasingly difficult for me to

simultaneously balance my own responsibilities with the task of raising my siblings. I had to

maintain my extracurricular activities, my grades in school, and the part-time job I have to assist

my family financially. Starting this journey has been difficult, and it remains difficult. I was

worried that I wouldn’t be able to support my family without my older sister around. In spite of

my uncertainty, I took initiative by not only taking on my own roles, but my sister’s as well.

Although I have taken on additional familial responsibilities to ameliorate the adversities that my
family faced, I am still prioritizing my education in order to continue providing for them in the

future.