Free Personal Statement On Minority Essay

As an immigrant to the United States of America, I understand better than many native citizens just how complicated cultural identity can be. To someone who was born in this country and has lived here all her life, it might be difficult to understand that an individual's experiences are profoundly shaped by the culture where she grows up. The time I spent in Guyana as a young person gave me a strong personal identity and a powerful belief in God, both of which have affected how and why I learn.
I was born in the South American country of Guyana during the time it was still a colony of the United Kingdom. I was ten years old when the country became independent, and it became increasingly hard to make a decent living. My family was large, with six other children beyond myself, but my parents felt it was important for us to live and be educated in Guyana. Although money was tight, they worked diligently to send my older brother and myself to a non-denominational Christian school. Because of their sacrifice, I learned at an early age that education was not something to be taken for granted, and I dedicated myself to learning.
At the school, I made great strides in furthering my knowledge of the world. However, and more importantly, I also became inspired by the lives of the saints and of other Christian workers. On reading about the sacrifices made by these men and women in the name of their religion, I was moved to understand that the most noble thing a person could do was to work towards helping others. I was particularly inspired by Mother Teresa, who said that if a life is not lived for others, it is not a life.
In the process of completing my education at the Christian school, I became a volunteer missionary. Although there is a perception in the United States that religious people are not interested in learning, nothing could be further from the truth. My experiences in Guyana with my fellow countrymen and with God taught me that the world is a wide, varied place. Keeping Mother Teresa's words in mind, I felt certain that the only way to live for others was to learn as much as you can.
In 1982, I was given an opportunity to continue my missionary work in the United States. I took it without hesitating, eager to see more of the world. Even outside of Guyana, though, the lessons I learned as a child stayed with me, and I earned several degrees and tried my hand at several kinds of job. I have been fairly successful since arriving in this country, partly because I have never stopped learning. My parents' example, my faith in God, and my belief in the value of education have driven me always. After earning my degree, I hope to attend graduate school, so I can show others the power of learning that means so much to me.