Hold on to Your Dreams - Essay Example

Hold on to Your Dreams Dreams bring magic into life. As I went about my routine everyday life as a fifteen year old in Saudi Arabia, there was one dream which I held safely in my heart like a box of treasure: ‘One day, I will travel to America to study in the field of medicine.’ Of course, I realized that this dream was not suited for a girl in conservative as Saudi Arabia, where a woman requires her male guardian’s permission to study, travel or work, and is not allowed to vote, or to drive a car. As my guardian, my father was always protective of me, in the confidence that he knew what was best for me. He looked upon the restrictions imposed on me only as the expression of his great love for me. He lived in a world which believes that the only role of a woman is to keep the family together. I was aware that, to him, sending me to study in America would be equal to sending me to walk on the moon. But I was determined to follow my heart. After all, I have heard the Chinese proverb, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.’ The first step of my long journey was to get my father’s consent. My family tried to persuade me to change my mind. But I was a rock which let the waves of their arguments just wash over me. My reply to every objection was, “If you love me, let me go.” Finally, my father agreed to give me the freedom to pursue my dream. But I now faced a bigger hurdle: My father could not afford the financial costs of my studies. My application for a scholarship was turned down because I did not have the necessary background in Science. My disappointment ate into my heart like acid. I thought, ‘Maybe I should accept what cannot be changed.’ Then, my love for the field of medicine made me work as a call center representative and as a translator at hospitals, just so I could be a part of the world of doctors and nurses. Although my dream of wearing scrubs seemed to be far beyond my reach, I absorbed medical information. I became a part of the hospital community, which was a family to me. I accepted that my dream would always remain a dream, locked in its box. I was content to live in the hospital world. Then one calm, sunny day, a storm rushed through my life, cleared away all the doubts in my mind, and opened my eyes again. My best friend, Name, showed a flushed face, heavy sweating and sudden tremors. But she said, “Don’t worry, Daliya. I’m fine.” As we worked in the office, my calm and patient friend screamed, and knocked everything on her table to the ground. Obviously, she was ill. Name was diagnosed with depression and started on medication. The next morning, Name was in hospital with severe palpitations and high blood pressure. She was hooked to a saline drip. But there was no change in her situation. Suddenly, Name started to fight for breath and bloated like a balloon. Her diagnosis as a depressive was obviously wrong. She was rushed to the ICU as a high-risk patient. I watched in horror as the emergency team decided to opt for an endotracheal intubation. However, Name protested and she was put on Pi-bab. I stayed by her side and let her know that I was there for her. But I saw that I was helpless to lend her a hand as she battled for life. Finally, Name was diagnosed as suffering from thyroiditis, in spite of her young age. I was shocked: my best friend had almost had a cardiomyopathy, and risked losing her life, because of a medical error! Deep down in my heart, I felt something stir and come to life again. If I had been a qualified medical practitioner, I could have directly contributed to my friend’s health. I need not have stood by as a spectator as she fought for her life in the ICU. I took out my dream from its locked box. I told myself that I could make it a reality, if I worked hard enough, and had the patience to hold on. I joined the National Guard Hospital as a Unit Assistant and gave it my best shot for two years. I applied again for the hospital scholarship. Again, I was turned down. I continued to work and applied yet again. I was moved to the Respiratory Therapy Unit for a trial period of seven months. I went all out to prove my capability. At the end of five months, I was awarded the scholarship. I took wing and landed in the land of my dreams: America. My joy in finally living out my dream was so great, that parting with my family and friends did not seem to matter. My dream of independence as a fifteen year old girl had come true after a decade of waiting and hard work. After twenty-five years of living in a joint-family, it was breathing fresh air to live on my own. Unfortunately, at the end of three weeks, I was so homesick that the voices of my loved ones over the telephone made me weep. I was not strong enough to face my fears by myself. I was lonely and isolated in my apartment. I realized the comfort of the family I had left behind. I called my father, and said, “I want to come back.” He said, “Don’t let go of your dream, Daliya. Remember how hard you worked to make it real. Be patient.” His words gave me the strength to reach out to my strange new world. So, here I am at the University of Indianapolis, studying Respiratory Therapy. I have fun with my friends. Going to the cinema is a lovely new experience. I have made up my mind to drive my own car as soon as I get my driver’s license. Everything I do on my own, from cooking, and laundry, to taking out the garbage, is a new act of independence. After having my father pay all my bills, paying my own bills is something I take delight in. I know that success is always within the reach of ambition and hard work. My separation from my family is temporary and worth the sacrifice, as I will go back with the rewards of my education. I am filled with optimism. I can rely on myself. I can hold on to my dreams. Outline. Exposition Statement of my dream. My family background and life in Saudi Arabia. Details of the status of women in a male-dominated society. Rising Action My conflict with my family. My financial difficulties. My disappointment with the scholarship. Climax Account of my friend’s medical emergency. My realization that I was helpless. The wakening of my dream Falling Action My hard work. My success Resolution My arrival in America My initial homesickness My dream becomes reality. Read More