Influence of Hispanic Heritage on Academic and Personal Long-Term Goals - Essay Example

Describe how your Hispanic heritage has influenced your academic and personal long-term goals. 500 words or less Word Count: 486 My Hispanic heritage has had very strong influence in both my academic and personal long-term goals. Initially, I did not take strong pride in having Hispanic roots, and yet with the meaningful experiences I have had, I have learned to change my paradigm about my cultural heritage. One such experience was my volunteering stint with the San Francisco Red Cross. I have witnessed the grave realities of disease and poverty that afflict minorities like me and this has strengthened my resolve in becoming a medical doctor. I have also been able to put my Spanish speaking skills to good use, by giving instructions to the minority, Spanish-speaking patients who consulted the facility. What has previously been a source of embarrassment has turned into a source of real pride. I have also been very active at clubs that distinctively work for the rights and welfare of minorities. One such group is the Chicanos in Health Education, which is a student-run group at UC Berkeley. My membership was driven strong belief in the group’s advocacy of health and healthcare access for the Latino community. My membership to the group has further increased my exposure to the health issues of Latinos and the premium that ought to be placed in culturally sensitive healthcare. I have been personally involved in the dissemination of information, community education on health care access, and the recruitment of fellow Latinos in allied medical courses. My involvement with their cause has helped me establish my cultural identity and to be accepting of other cultures. Apart from these activities, the group has also allowed me to be exposed to medical professionals, and have engaged in tasks such as taking vital signs, screening for diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure. These tasks somehow helped me appreciate the medical profession all the more, especially since I am serving members of my own community – that gave me a greater sense of fulfillment. On a more personal note, the organization has also accorded me with academic support, and has helped encourage a strong work ethic. It has provided venues which have helped me solidify my intent of becoming a medical doctor. Lately, I have also volunteered as facilitator for Decal (Democratic Education at Cal), which aims to ensure that the onboarding process of immigrant freshmen is smooth. Immigrant students are taught about effective means of coping with life at UC Berkeley, centering on the issues that immigrants are likely to face during their stay. This course discusses some of their obstacles through open discussions in which students reflect on opinions, experiences, and personal identity. These and the numerous dire experiences which I had undergone because of my Hispanic heritage have changed me. I take profound pride of my heritage and will not exchange it for any other cultural identity. These experiences have developed in me resilience, a deep sense of service, and fortitude, which are hallmarks of an effective physician. Describe how you contribute to your community (for example: school, family, church, volunteer work, etc.) and what you have learned from your experiences. 500 words or less Word Count: 483 I have been blessed with the opportunity to be involved in numerous activities which have clear bearing and contribution to the community. One such venue is Tutor Experts, which provides elementary, junior high and high school students academic assistance through personalized tutoring programs. My direct interaction with students has given me the chance not only to impart content but also values that may help them succeed in their academic life. It is touching to see youths who have once had difficulties in school life transform into exemplary students. The thought of being able to contribute to their bright futures is reward in itself. A similar organization is the Making Changes Freedom school which is a fully volunteer-run, grassroots movement of concerned community members who want to create positive changes for the elementary through high school students of Richmond, CA. Motivated by service for others and cross-cultural exposure, I have volunteered for this group. The main aim of the group is to help youths cope with the contemporary difficulties of drugs, violence, and alcohol that are pervasive in the generations of this time. In interacting with them, I want to instill in them to be daring and lofty in their dreams. I also want them to realize that poverty is not an excuse for being a delinquent or for not performing well in school and that it should instead be an inspiration to improve one’s life. Yet another organization I have been involved with is the Chicanos in Health Education, which aims to promote health and healthcare access within the Latino community. My stint with the group has ingrained in me the importance of culturally sensitive healthcare and has brought me face to face with the gravity of the healthcare problems that the Latino community faces. Along a similar note, I have also volunteered as a facilitator of Decal (Democratic Education at Cal); while this group is sponsored by UC Berkeley, it is an indirect way of contributing to the community because you are helping ensure the smooth transition of immigrants into university life. In turn, I am somehow contributing to their retention in the university and to their development into future, productive professionals. I have also been co-creator of the peer mentoring program of Decal in which the needs and unique experiences of immigrant students are heard and addressed. After having transferred to U.C. Berkeley from a community college, I helped organize and create the Community College Resources and Education for the College Application Process Program (CCRECAP) in order to facilitate dialogue and learning among Bay Area community college students, transfer advisors, and university students. The majority of the dialogue occurred through a student panel venue, which provided necessary information to Community College Students regarding the transfer process. Again, this manner of facilitation, however small, is deeply appreciated by members of the community. This is especially true of minorities and other underprivileged groups. Read More