Personal Statement

Personal Statement

 

The “American Dream:” Upon hearing these words for the very first time, as an immigrant, I could only wonder what they met. When I was five years old, I emigrated from Panama to the United States with my family. Although I had already been living in the United States for nearly six years, I had never considered what the “American Dream” really met. I was a timid, reserved, and naive student in a sixth grade middle school classroom sitting in the back of the room. As I grew older, I remained in the back of the class. Years would continue to roll by with me remaining the same, timid, quiet, shy, and unnoticed student.

Many immigrants come to America, chasing after this dream, one that I had never heard nor considered before that fateful day of my sixth grade history class. At the time, I had no real dreams, and no real direction, at least not for my future. I just wanted to be part of the “in-crowd.” I just wanted to fit in. However, I was a quiet odd ball; I spent many days with my head in the clouds, allowing my mind to take me away to places that only the pages of books could fabricate.

The “American Dream” is the promise of prosperity and success for all those who enter the United States. It is like someone telling immigrants that they matter, and that if they really want to do something in this country, they can. Throughout the years, I have learned that many countries do not offer this promise, not even my home country. Panama is a beautiful place, and the foundation of my family and my roots; however, Panama does not offer the dream of prosperity and success. My family immigrated to pursue opportunities and a better life.

In my sixth grade history class, I also learned about important historical leaders such as Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr., visionaries who both had dreams for their race, and because of their visions, they took a leap of faith against all odds to achieve what no one at the time had achieved. Both these leaders and many others have inspired me to take the first step, to strive for something bigger and greater than anyone else, and to claim my place in history.

Every achievement begins with a goal, and for an immigrant like me, my goals have been influenced by the “American Dream.” After that sixth grade history class, I began to dream bigger than I ever had before. Even though I struggled keeping my grades up, I never failed to ask for more help, and I never stopped pushing myself. Each grade I completed in middle school was an achievement because I never gave up. Graduating from high school was my greatest accomplishment; I pushed myself, and I made it. I had begun to dream, and my dreams were being fulfilled right before my eyes.

Once I entered college, it was a very different experience, and many times I felt again like that timid student sitting in the back of the class. Many days I thought of dropping out; I thought of quitting, but something in me pushed me forward. When I did not receive a grade I wanted, I motivated myself in the next class. When I wanted to stay home and skip class, I thrust myself out of bed and onto the city bus to get there.

Finally, I am at the end of my senior year of college, and the years seemed to have passed by so quickly. There are some days when I feel like I am that sixth grade student again, but now I am sitting in the front of the class, allowing my voice and opinions to be heard. Instead of spending days locking up my creativity in daydreams and clouds, I have allowed many to see my work, hear and read my words, and see me for me.

Learning about the “American Dream” was just the beginning because now everything ends with my dream, the dream that has been formed, developed, and produced through my heart and felt throughout my entire body. I want to achieve greatness not just for my family but also for the common good. I want to hold an important position not just at a company or firm, but for my adopted country. I believe that all things are possible to those who believe. Having a foundation of faith in God, I know that I will make it, but not only do I know I will make it, I know also that many others will too. However, I will no longer allow myself to be cheated, cheated by my fears and my doubts, holding myself back from taking a place in this race of life. I deserve to win and be prosperous, not just because of the “American Dream” but because of my dream. This last semester of college, right before I hear my name at the graduation ceremony, and cross the stage at Ohio Dominican University, I will have this Martin Luther King Jr. quote in mind, “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase.” All immigrants take the first step on American soil never truly knowing what awaits them.

I am taking the first, second, and third steps to my future, and at no point will I be certain about what awaits me on this staircase, but I do know that I will succeed and prosper, and I know this because I believe: I believe in God, and I believe in myself.