The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.*
In September 2014, I began my first day of school without my parents by my side, a bittersweet experience for a six – year old, living with my aunt. Despite the challenges, I felt a sense of comfort in the presence of my relatives. My mother, a dedicated scholarship recipient, had moved to the United States to earn money as a nanny, leaving me a thousand miles away. As a muslim working for a Jewish family unaware of her background, she faced her own struggles while striving to provide for me.
Despite the challenges of being raised by a single parent, I was always well-dressed and well-cared for. My classmates often assumed I came from a two – parent household, but the reality never diminished my spirit. While my mother faced hardships – her winter boots often worn down and leaking — my own shoes kept my feet warm and comfortable. I never felt the absence of a father figure because my mother’s love and support were more than enough. Each birthday, she ensured that I received a gift, regardless of a distance that separated us. Her commitment to education instilled in me values of hard work.
In my culture, young women are often encouraged to conform to traditional roles that show “femininity” and domestic responsibilities. My mom was a great example for the stigma of putting out of a box, sometimes not following the things you were supposed to do or your culture wants to do can lead to remarkable achievements. This inspired me to think beyond conventional boundaries.
One afternoon, I decided to embrace spontaneity by allowing a coin flip to dictate my day. I wore mismatched shoes, made pancakes for lunch, and went to the park to watch a puppet show.
This helped me to understand that breaking from routine can lead to unexpected joy. I learned that sometimes the most memorable experiences come from stepping outside of your comfort zone. For instance, when I joined a local art class on a whim, I learnt a hidden talent for painting which eventually led me to create connections between famous local artists and dancers in ceremony. Another time when I decided to take a different seat on a plane from Manchester to Italy, which led me where I met a successful elderly British businessman who shared his stories and wisdom with me.
This sense of spontaneity mirrors my experiences in swim practice, where doing something new reveals new aspects of my capabilities. Each time I tried a new technique or competed in a different event, I uncovered the strengths I did not know I had, again reinforcing my belief that taking risks often results in unexpected outcomes. Since then, I have sought to seize every opportunity available to me. Attending a simple public school in town, where resources were limited, I took responsibility to establish a theater club and a dance club. My goal was to encourage youth awareness about creative expression within my community, which lacked platforms for promoting traditional dance.
In conclusion, I understood that life is full of new challenges and education can be a catalyst for significant accomplishments, this is why those new opportunities that I face by stepping out of my comfort zone makes me genuinely excited about learning.