overcoming obstacles -- 2022

Essay Option Three (2022) – [...] Address any obstacles or challenges you have overcome; any educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g. first-generation student, resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g. community service and leadership) will contribute to our community. (300-350 words) As a recent immigrant to the United States, I struggled with social anxiety as a child, caused by my heavy Chinese accent. One day a kind stranger introduced herself as a speech therapist, and patiently coached me, for free, in her spare time. This random act of kindness changed my life forever.

I had overcome my Chinese accent by the time college started, but I still harbored some anxiety around public speaking. I knew that I needed to conquer this obstacle to become a well-rounded person. To accomplish this, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone by leading a new college fraternity, where I was the spokesperson for on-campus events putting me routinely in front of large groups of my peers. To further hone my development, I joined the US Marine Corps, where I finally overcame my anxiety by leading 200 combat Marines in high-stakes, fast-changing environments. I was then chosen for a front-facing communications job working with high-level decision-makers, where I fine-tuned my public speaking skills, mentored my co-workers through group projects, and implemented new solutions to standard processes. Through these experiences, I grew into a well-rounded leader committed to investing in the people and teams around me.

One of the things I love most about Georgetown McDonough is the idea of cura personalis. I envision this as being genuinely kind, encouraging my peers through their struggles and amplifying their strengths. Although I have much to learn, I will bring my experience to develop my fellow classmates into well-rounded, ethical leaders by encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and learn through experience, just as I did when I overcame my public speaking challenges. McDonough’s experiential learning opportunities and engaged DC community, a global viewpoint through the Global Business Experience, and the alumni network, will help me develop both personally and professionally. Just as the stranger who helped me overcome my speech anxieties embodied cura personalis, I will spread kindness through every interaction; perhaps I will change someone’s life.