My fascination with dentistry is derived from my scintillating interest in human biology and art. From a tender age, I have always been intrigued with art. Then later in life, I was introduced to biology. With regards to the fact that I had an interest in both art and biology, I had a compelling need to take a career path that combined the two; a career that combines my mechanical aptitude and biological knowledge. Dentistry stood out from all career paths I had in mind. This is because, apart from combining both biology and art, dentistry involves helping people.
I was born in Fiji, moved to California at age 11 California before my parents moved to Minnesota. I am a citizen of America who has lived in a total of seven US cities, with travelling experiences to Paris, Amsterdam and India. Apparently, I am Fijian by birth, Indian by ethnicity, American by citizenship. I am the first born in my family and, anecdotally, the first one to finish undergraduate in the family. Being a forward minded student, I opted to pay my own tuition fee, thereby relieving my parents and at the same time, continuing my education, with returns from a part time job.
I graduated from college school with a GPA of 3.6. While in college, I was a class representative and the president of the biology club; I was elected to these positions based on my problems-solving abilities, exemplary communication skills which enables me communicate effectively with all sundry and, above all, my determination in team play. Currently I serve as project coordinator for one local project and starting fall, I will be leading a few more volunteering projects. I have found that my skills with people are diverse; from putting them to use in aspects such as corporate management in human resources, to a lively discussion of research topics in biochemistry.
I am also highly involved with the community that I live in, and after performing my full time job, I spend at least 20 hrs a week volunteering. I have a passion for bringing smiles to people's faces and being compassionate towards all human beings. I help give manicures to elderly women and reading bedtime stories to children in orphanages with an extended self induced responsibility of offering the children with the much needed dental care. I am a regular teacher of ESL classes. Furthermore, I am a volunteer for the fight for Alzheimer's. Most importantly, I help advocate for art at Caponi park to make art accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
With dentistry knowledge, I plan to set up a pediatric dental clinic that specializes in oral cancer in Minnesota with a further wider vision of opening several oral care centers worldwide. When establishing these oral care centers, I will place particular attention to undeserved areas. Further, when I become a dentist I have a strong desire to dedicate at least two Saturdays to serving the Neighborhood Involvement Program (NIP) and Children’s Dental Service.
I boast of a research oriented mind which is much needed in the dentistry field. With such an inquisitive mind, I am convinced that most researchers based at University of Minnesota will find me useful. In the same light, I plan to exercise my leadership skills at the University of Minnesota faithfully if given any leadership role; I am convinced that I can make an outstanding student leader and at the same time cope well with class work judging from my efficiency in formulating excellent flexible personal timetables.
