First Afraid, Now Fascinated: College Admission Essay Sample

An empty house with white walls, filled with boxes covered in brown packing tape is all that’s left of a place that was once my home. It’s packed with sweaty movers loading my memories into a U-Haul van -- a scene I would become accustomed to my entire life.

A large part of my identity comes from my father’s work. Growing up as a military child has had its struggles; constantly uprooting my life hasn’t always been enjoyable, but it’s an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world. When I was thirteen, my family was stationed in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Having never been outside the country and afraid of the unknown, I was adamantly opposed to moving to Germany. However, my current self would have to admit to my angsty thirteen year-old self that living in Europe has given me an eye-opening experience and a belief in the importance of travel.

I have been to chapels in Italy, castles in Romania and temples in South Korea. Not only have I seen beautiful sights in the twenty countries I have traveled to, but learning about the history and encountering other cultures has caused a curiosity about the world to awaken within me. In certain suburbs, I have seen people live their lives in bubbles, seemingly unaware of the drastically different lives other people lead. Experiences like hearing my Vietnamese friend talk about moving to Munich with his older sister to receive an education, while his parents remained in Hanoi, are important. Experiences like hearing my eleventh grade German teacher talk about growing up as a child in communist East Germany in the absence of her father, who was arrested and forced into a Stasi prison, are important. Talking to these people with incredibly different backgrounds has caused me to view the world more internationally and become more culturally aware. I find beauty in the combination of cultures.

Living in Berlin, one of the most diverse cities in the world, I have found a new optimism. I’ve seen Berliners create numerous opportunities to integrate thousands of refugees into society. My school, for example, has accepted several students and dedicated time to teach them German. In times of crisis, Berlin has exceptional strength. I remember eating at a Chinese restaurant with my history class while news broke out of a terrorist attack at a Christmas market, only a few blocks away. My peers had varying reactions, while my teacher took initiative to keep us calm and safe. The following day, I watched the entire city unite around memorials for the victims. Berliners’ acceptance has made me a more inclusive person and their perseverance inspires me.

No longer afraid of the unknown, I am instead, fascinated by the future. I do not know where I will be living five years from now, but I do know that my experience as a military child has made me adaptable to change, interested in the world, and better educated; traits I hope to continue to spread to others.