Topic A: What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person. (Max 650 words)
May 2016. I stood at the base of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. It took our group a 90-mile hike over a period 12 days in the oxygen-deprived heights of the Himalayas, to get to an altitude 18,500 feet. We braved sub-zero temperatures, thin air and snowstorms to reach Everest Base Camp. There were moments during our hike when I was completely out of energy and my body was fueled purely by grit. I felt on top of the world knowing that dogged perseverance and never-give-up attitude had finally won.
Rewind to the summer of 2010 when I was 11 years old. I was diagnosed with rheumatic arthritis. The slightest movement would cause excruciating joint pain. Every day, I had to hobble to school on crutches. A team of doctors worked on me administering steroids and antibiotics, which made me even weaker. Doctors indicated that I may never walk straight again. I was devastated. I cried frequently, withdrew into a shell and completely lost interest in school work. My life felt like a dark long night that would never see dawn.
But I did not give up. My family and friends helped me understand that it was important to persevere, fight back and not give up. I received immense emotional support from my brother and parents. They kept my spirits up. My friends visited me regularly. They would sit by my bedside, chat or play board games to keep my mind stimulated.
I did not let the illness defeat me. I fought back. While I was bedridden, I practiced for hours every day and became an expert guitar player. I also composed a few songs. Music gave me a renewed sense of purpose. In 2014, I passed Guitar Grade 5 examination with Trinity College, London. During my 12-month illness, my school let retake my exams and make up for the missed work. While physiotherapy helped me recover physically, my family helped me recover mentally and infused optimism in me. My grandfather repeatedly told me not to accept my illness as a disability.
When I was finally able to walk normally, I decided to push my limits even further. I started training for long distance running. My parents supported me in this decision. I would run 3 days a week and my mother trained with me. After 6 months of hard training, I managed to run a 13 mile half marathon in under 2 hours. Later that month, I also completed my first 13-mile triathlon that included swimming, cycling and running. The satisfaction when I passed the finish line was unparalleled.
During my marathon training, I met a blind person who was planning to climb to the Everest Base Camp. His determination inspired me to do the Everest hike. Later, when I stood at the base of Mount Everest, I knew that my qualities of determination and dogged perseverance had helped me overcome the darkest period of my life.
I also realized that not every person receives the support that I received in my life. Therefore, I joined a charitable organization called “Jazz Hands” that teaches English to poor children in government schools. It was my way of giving back the love and support that I received.
Vision 2025. I am the founder of Hawk Games, the world’s largest virtual reality, video game company. Today, I am a mere high school kid who has designed a strategy board game called “Stealth” and I have neither the skills nor the expertise to achieve this vision. But I now know that optimism, determination and perseverance can move mountains. And with my college education and these qualities, I intend to do exactly that.