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When I came to the U.S. from china four years ago, things went terribly. Since I had no self confidence and I was like a deaf-mute – I couldn’t communicate with others at all. Because of the simultaneous culture shock, I didn’t know how to act in front of people so I did my best to hide. Teachers in school, in general, knew that I didn’t know English well and would not normally call on me. However, one time a teacher called on me regardless. The stress increased my body temperature and heart rate. When I responded correctly, I felt something very strange, something I had lost for so long. Even though the feeling stayed in my body for only a few seconds, I could not forget it. I wanted that feeling again. I started raising my hand in classes. It was hard and sometimes I felt like my hand weighed a thousand pounds, but the feeling I got after positive reinforcement was so addictive. I wanted more of that feeling, the feeling of success and confidence.
After being the only English as a Second Language (ESL) student in the history of William Mason High School to speak in front of 80 teachers, I have regained my confidence that had been lost for many years. Now, after three and a half years of high school, I am not only one of the top students in my ESL class, but also in the top 20% in my regular classes. I made that speech in front of 80 teachers about my own experience as a foreign student, and my path from an underachiever to a high performer. I have also received numerous awards including an Outstanding Student Award, the Rotary’s Royalty Student Award, and Academic Letter Award three years in a row. Those awards motivate me to achieve my goal of success despite the fact of having a disadvantage in language.
culture In the last few years I have also actively participated in a variety of volunteer work for my community to help people, and I have been an Officer of the Mason City School International Club for my whole high school life.
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