seek discomfort
A personal statement that required a solid month of reflection, 6 rough drafts, and a whole team of friends to help polish my word vomit of an essay. I had trouble deciding what stories to share that would accurately portray who I am as an individual. To say the least, I am really pleased with the final results so feel free to take a read. :)
As a Vietnamese-American growing up in a predominantly Caucasian community, I struggled with self-acceptance. My internal conflict stemmed from a lack of a sense of belonging among my peers. Celebrating contrasting cultural traditions and being raised with values rooted in the hardships of immigration labeled me as different. In hindsight, my identity was defined through the lens of how others perceived me. In university, I became exposed to an environment with greater diversity which allowed for constant cultural exchange. I discovered that being “different” opens a door to learning opportunities. This has become a trait I take ownership over rather than others define me by. At first, my curiosity drove me to learn about my friends’ cultures and their customs. These conversations led to a desire to understand the intersection between culture and language. I became determined to seek discomfort by experiencing unfamiliar customs first-hand. Fueled by these desires I have been fortunate to travel to over 20 countries and study on three continents. In every environment, I stood out from locals due to my appearance, customs, and language skills. I framed these situations as opportunities to overcome cultural misunderstandings and to develop mutual respect through mindful communication.
Last summer, I completed an independent research project at the University of Giessen’s Institute of Biochemistry. It was an eye-opening experience of how research is conducted internationally. However, the greatest learning experience came from acclimating to a foreign town and working within an international environment. Giessen is a relatively small town in Germany with a majority of German residents and few foreigners at the time. Prior to my move, I had zero connections with the area and did not speak any German. The language barrier made it difficult to form relationships. As an extrovert, I find comfort in the company of others. I initially felt isolated, but I decided to use this discomfort to challenge my ability to be independent. The isolation allowed me to further engage with my emotions and thoughts. I found joy in being reflective and becoming more self-aware. Learning to be content alone also taught me how to cultivate intentional relationships and build communities. To me, intentionality is the foundation of meaningful connections by being transparent, vulnerable, and compassionate.
I believe that connections can be made and mutual respect can be established with any individual despite differences. In the laboratory, I found myself on the opposite spectrum from my coworkers in terms of age, experiences, and cultural background. On my first day, I was shocked when my coworkers suggested that all Americans are ignorant and narrow-minded. I became determined to change their perspective. In the workplace, I encouraged open and mature discussions about our cultural differences, emphasized my willingness to learn, and shared my personal experiences to overcome stereotypes and misunderstandings. Over time, I noticed a greater level of camaraderie in the workspace. This experience stimulated my interest in how Americans are perceived through a global lens. I am confident that daily interactions, healthy conversations, and meaningful connections can indefinitely transform stereotypes and ignorance. In Vietnam, I will strive to clarify cultural misconceptions and improve intercultural relations. I hope to teach my students that learning from those who differ is an opportunity to further explore and challenge yourself.
When I immerse myself abroad, I am confident that my curiosity will lead me to actively engage with members of local communities and to expand my knowledge through meaningful dialogue. As I seek out discomfort, I hope to expand my cultural competency in preparation for a career in medicine.