4.
My life so far has been taking on challenges one after another. Born in China, I moved to Japan with my family at six. After living there for eight years during which I experienced learning a new language and culture, my family decided to move again - this time to Canada. At 14, learning two new languages was much harder than it had been before. Everyday became a struggle. Everything - from taking notes to talking with friends - struck me with the pain of not knowing English and French. Slowly I worked my way up, however, and slowly I absorbed the languages. I did not hesitate to put extra effort into English, French and academics in general, because that was the best way for anyone to learn new languages, and the only way for me to do well in school. I might have sacrificed the more fun things I could have done in my teenage years, but I am proud to have gone through the hard work.
Even though academics have always been a priority for me, I never wanted to limit myself to it. Throughout my high school years, I have played competitive table tennis, with achievements such as representing Montreal in Jeux du Quebec, a provincial athletic event and coming to the fourth place in the Quebec Junior Championship. I also have various volunteer experiences at places such as festivals, where I helped run events, a refugee house, where I used my own experience to help new comers/refugees to settle down in Canada. Moreover, I have been working at Kumon, a learning centre for children, for the past two years. There, I mark worksheets, teach children math and reading, talk to parents, enter data into computer, etc. These things helped me acquire organizational and communication skills. All the extracurricular activities have been challenging, but everyone of them has improved me in some ways.
One other challenge that I'm facing right now is raising my little brother, who was just born one and a half year ago. Because my dad works in China, I often have to help my mom look after him. And that task has become increasingly difficult as he grows and becomes more active. For example, when my mom is cooking, I have to babysit him and draw his attention. When he is sick and cries during night, I often have to wake up to help my mom. It goes without saying that his presence has greatly affected my life, but these days I start to think that this experience can have benefits to me. Like any challenges I mentioned earlier, this one too, should help me become a stronger, more knowledgeable and responsible person.
Having gone through obstacles, I have confidence in myself to do well in University. Whatever challenges I'll have to face, I'm ready.
