Familiarity Breeds Comfort: College Admission Essay Sample

Comfort is different to everyone: we may find comfort and serenity in nature, at the beach when seafoam waves gently caress our skin, or we may be comforted by the smaller, even insignificant things in life, like a smile from a stranger or listening to a favorite song in a time of despair. To me, comfort is an ineffable atmosphere of content and tranquility that exists when I escape from all other thoughts and emotions and reflect on myself and my happiness. That type of environment, although difficult to find, is accessible to me in my home country, India.

Of all places, I find solace and fulfillment in the world’s second most populous nation. Amongst the immeasurable crowds, the rays of the scorching sun, and the 1.2 billion inhabitants, however, I unearth a connection between my Indian culture and nature. I’ve stood out of the crowd for eighteen straight years, whether in terms of my physical appearance, my values, or even my vegetarianism. As proud as I am to be different from others, sometimes it is refreshing to be accepted wholeheartedly and have your culture and morals completely appreciated. India is a place where I don’t have to suppress my culture and morals for others; I’m not looked upon differently for the bronze tones of my skin, the languages I speak, or the foods I relish.

A house is a building with four sides and a roof; a home is built from warmth, happiness, and the positive vibes that emit from its occupants. My grandparents’ apartment in India is one of the few places where I have found that “homely comfort.” It’s not that they own a house on the beach with a majestic ocean view, or are steps away from a day-spa with invigorating facials and massages. Living in the center of the city’s hustle and bustle may seem far from comforting, but it is, however, ironically, a source of comfort to me. The carefree environment my grandparents’ provide, the delicious aromas that permeate the room from my grandmother’s cooking, the smiles I am greeted with on my every visit, and even the sometimes stale jokes (courtesy of my grandfather) all provide me with a sense of continual comfort. I’m not reminded of the summer work left for me at home, or my daily worries. My grandparents’ home in India is where I can leave my worries in a different country and truly enjoy each day.

Though distant from my suburban, three-story, two garage, Toll Brothers home in Pennsylvania, India is a country where I’ve never felt like an outsider. I find comfort in the acceptance of its inhabitants; I find comfort in its divine cultures and array of languages; I find comfort in its exotic landscapes and lush vegetation; I am comforted by my grandparents, who care for me so well that I never miss my home in America. My trips to India haven’t just given me a sense of ease, they have also taught me that comfort is something unexplainable and intangible that can be found in places other than a tropical island resort with room service.