Narrative Essay For Honor College

My life’s mantra is “think beyond”. From elementary through high school, I pushed my limits in everything from academics and service to arts and athletics. As a child, my parents kept me out of my comfort zone so frequently that it eventually became natural to do it on my own. Through trial and error, I eventually managed to balance a schedule that ensured I keep up my GPA and maintain a solid five hours of community service a week while simultaneously waking up for five a.m. swim practices and practicing piano for at least an hour a day. Time can only move forward, so I believe that I should spend every waking moment doing something that enhances my life. Because of this, I believe I would bring an aura of diligence and positivity to the Honors College community that hopefully energizes anyone around me.

Aside from academics, I’ve spent my whole life being the misfit. Not necessarily strange, just noticeably different. There aren’t many people who can say they are an Asian Southern Belle, so I’m proud that I’m one of the few. I have two kinds of favorite days. One is spending my morning tailgating, cheering on the Mississippi State Bulldogs with a plate of fried chicken and a jug of sweet tea, soaking in the homey, community atmosphere. The other is sitting in the dining room, playing
Mahjong with my father’s Chinese exchange students around endless plates of dumplings and a steaming hotpot, casually listening to the adults argue over Chairman Xi Jinping’s policies. The opportunity to experience the world through two different cultures is what sparks my ingenuity and enables me to analyze issues through two lenses rather than one. This allows me to fit right into Purdue’s tight-knit, yet diverse community and contribute a unique perspective when collaborating with peers from different backgrounds.

The Honors College at Purdue in particular would provide me with the tools needed to extend my mantra and become a more well-rounded individual.
The many study abroad programs give me the chance to broaden my horizons and gain a deeper sense of passion and purpose. The various student leadership councils allow me to be immersed within a community full of initiative and culture that will constantly push me to ‘think beyond’. Through the several different routes provided for undergraduate research, I will be challenged to think critically and take advantage of the resources to achieve my ultimate goal of providing innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life for those in
need.