Euiyeon Lee

Look at me using all 26 letters of the alphabet with the correct grammar and complex sentence structures - my younger self, who came to America only knowing the first five letters of the alphabet, can only imagine.

Yes, it’s a lie to say that I’ve never felt disadvantaged being an immigrant and an Asian, but I don’t want to appeal to anyone’s pity or whine on and on about how unfair I feel and downplay my life like that. I’m not just yet another studious and devastated immigrant student working hard to get good grades.

I like to consider myself self-aware and disciplined; Realistically speaking, I am also quite stubborn and egotistical. I am very much aware of my weaknesses, but I often have a hard time accepting them. I spend days and days worrying about how other people perceive me, hoping my character isn't so mundane. Although it's very self-deprecating at many times, this inclination to validations has driven me to raise the bar for myself and work harder with persistence. Even if I do not like it, I am willing to be vulnerable. Even if I do not like admitting that I cannot be perfect, I am willing to acknowledge my flaws in order to grow. As cliche as it may sound like, I do truly believe that this stubbornness as well as the vulnerability shaped me into a person that I am today.

My younger self would be proud of me being able to sing the entire alphabet song - and this makes me smile and stand a little taller :)