<pre><code> To write a self-reflective essay about myself is probably the most challenging task ever presented to me. It seems as though I contemplate this subject quite often and for great lengths of time. Despite my existence for the last 17 years, I find that my culture is still somewhat a mystery and is the one aspect of my life I least understand. At times, I even ponder my very existence. As easy as it for others, I find the solutions to my questions regarding my culture to be simple yet so complex.
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My parents both immigrated to this country in their early twenties and for many of the same reasons. My mother and her family came to the United States to escape persecution from the Northern Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. My father came to United States before the Revolution to save himself from oppression by the Ayatollah Khomeini and the Islamic Extremists. But somehow in this huge, yet small world my parents met in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class in the Oklahoma State University. Till this day, I wonder what the odds were for my mother and father, both from completely different worlds and barely able to communicate through a common language came to meet and fall in love.
But it was through that fate that my sister and I were introduced into this world. Fortunately, my parents have created a non-traditional home which has allowed me to live in a dual lifestyle. I have been able to gain an understanding in both my parents backgrounds, traditions, and customs. My household is hardly considered the standard all-American home. Family gatherings are rather interesting when both my parents families come together. My family is able to learn so much from one another and really appreciate each others background. The atmosphere is always lively because we converse about topics in which each side is not aware about regarding differences in customs and traditions. What I really enjoy is when it comes down to the cooking and food. The dinner table at my home consists of Persian, Vietnamese and American dishes. Being multiracial has made my taste buds to be accustomed to a wide range of food from shish-kabobs to Pho (a Vietnamese noodle soup) to good old hamburgers. However, the best part about being multi-racial is that I get to celebrate three New Years. As crazy as it sounds, I celebrate each one of them every year and with the same enthusiasm. I practice all the traditions that come with being Iranian and Vietnamese and have become worldlier because of it. I have been able to embrace both cultures and combine them into one entity that I can call my own. My parents have shown me that as much their cultures are radically different, there many commonalities in which they share.
I truly appreciate my multi-cultural background and the person I have become because of it. My culture has given me the ability to experience so many things that people of one race may not. I have been able to travel to countries like Vietnam and Iran and learn about worlds outside the microcosm in which I live in. It has allowed me to be open up to new experiences and not close the doors to what is unfamiliar to me. But most importantly, my culture have molded me into something I can call a unique identity. My uniqueness has allowed me to grow into a person with a sense of awareness, diplomatic skills, and an experienced knowledge of the world. It has given me the strength to overcome discrimination and be more accepting of others. With each day, I learn more about myself and everything around me. That is something I hope never stops.
<p>unless this:
To write a self-reflective essay about myself is probably the most challenging task ever presented to me. It seems as though I contemplate this subject quite often and for great lengths of time. Despite my existence for the last 17 years, I find that my culture is still somewhat a mystery and is the one aspect of my life I least understand. At times, I even ponder my very existence. As easy as it for others, I find the solutions to my questions regarding my culture to be simple yet so complex.</p>
<p>is not actually part of your essay, I’d say you don’t really need it.</p>
<p>Actually he has a good point. I’d say start right off and hit them hard. Besides, if this is for the common app, make sure you’re not over the 500 word limit. I like your essay, but I do have one qualm with it that’s not your fault at all.</p>
<p>To be honest with you, this is like the 100th time I’ve seen a cultural duality essay. I was going to write my essay on this very same topic on similiar ethnicities: Vietnamese and Japanese. ABout how two Asian countries can be world’s apart. Japan being very wealthy and Vietnam wallowing in poverty. If it’s too late to change your essay, than stick with it.</p>
<p>this is just a supplemental essay for most my schools. my common essay is on how working in Alaska building homes inspired me to start a habitat for humanity club at my school</p>
<p>God. It’s funny how everyone sounds a lot more nobler on paper than in real life. Habitat for humanity. Helping homeless people. Teaching children the value of hard work. Pish posh. But than again, my essays aren’t much different. Sighs…</p>
<p>I come from a similar background (multi racial, half being vietnamese) and I totally see where you’re coming from (you should have seen my counsin’s wedding! 3-way translation can get difficult) but I would say that this is a good first draft of an essay. It has great ideas behind it, but the execution doesn’t really grab me. Try telling a story first (ie “show don’t tell” ) and then relate back to your main point.</p>
<p>I can’t make myself sound noble so I’m writing about how my wrist injury that disabled me for a few months taught me I am tough and can get through obstacles even though I haven’t faced adversity like some other people. </p>
<p>Terrible, nnrrgghh. Unless, of course, you can weave that story without me realizing that you’ve written about nothing except for your damned wrist.</p>
<p>Why??why Why Why?everybody Says It Is Bad ■■■ Do Ppl Like Me Write About?? I Never Saved Any Babies I Never Cured Any Diseases I Never Built Gotdang Homes For Hobos!!! ■■■ Do I Write About??? What What What?? What?</p>
<p>Hey, I haven’t done any of that stuff eaither. I wrote about being a geek. Simple, but it’s who I am. I freaked out about my essay for months. Don’t think to grand. Think about something small and unique to you.</p>
<p>■■■, it ****es me off when kids go around thinking they are all special and emphasize their unique ness. We’re all different, yes, but individuality is a subtle thing. I can’t just shoot off some anecdote taht proves how special i am. and neitiher should any of you, you big liars. Sorry, i’m very angry. no offense to anyone.</p>
<p>Um, the POINT of a college essay is to describe how special you are and to make you stick out from the huge stack of other applicants. You think individuality is a subtle thing, maybe run with that. At least try to be original. I also don’t see how anyone is lying…</p>
<p>its not entirely honest b/c you are changing the appearance of things. You don’t go through life going like: WOW HE IS SPECIAL. AND SO IS SHE! AND HER! AND HIM!</p>
<p>nnnrrggghh, if you’re stuck talk about your hometown, your friends, family, and school. These tend to be easier to write and are also a lot more personal since they reveal the most intimate aspects of your life.</p>
<p>Just remember: the purpose of the essay is to showcase who you are aside from GPA, scores, etc. Don’t try so hard to illustrate some amazing experience that you think will impress the admissions offciers. </p>
<p>If you’re still stuck, I do think you should run with this idea. You seem to have the passion for it. </p>
<p>I don’t see how anyone is changing the truth as in facts. If you mean its wrong to notice things in an essay that you don’t think about in real life is wrong I think you are mistaken. Again, that’s the POINT. Sure we don’t go around saying how people are special. As you said before individuality is a subtle thing. What’s wrong with noticing uniqueness?</p>
<p>ehh nothing is WRONG. Just feels…unnatural to showcase these things that normally we don’t really care about. Suppose I think person A is cool. He’s got those qualities that make him interesting. He doesn’t have to go around showcasing them all the time, we notice those qualities just by being around.</p>