Succeeding Against The Odds

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorCollege, Undergraduate February 2008

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At some point in our lives, we come across certain situations that test our determination. Taking risks is part of our lives and many times things are not in our flavor. For those of us who take their chances and put all their hearts and soul into what they believe in, winning against the odds will further strengthen their mind and beliefs. I personally came across such a situation lately and I would like to share my experience with those who are still having doubts in themselves.

To come over to the United States, I overcame some hard problems in Japan. It was three years ago that I decided to come over to the United States. Since I was a little girl, I have been dreaming and thinking of studying abroad once in my life because, besides learning another language, I wanted to experience things and absorb new knowledge of a different culture.

I cannot do that easily in my country. First of all, even though there are many foreigners living in Japan these days, most of them are trying to adopt the Japanese culture, just as the saying "when you are in Rome, do what Romans do". And many them are already speaking Japanese fluently. Moreover, one might see Japan as a very modern and westernize country from the outside but deep inside, it is still a country inherited a lot of the old time traditions and values from hundreds of years ago, so in general, Japanese people are still quite conservative. And since my parents and grand parents are the conservative and traditional type, they did not expose me to a great deal of western culture as a result, my opportunity of really experienced a different culture is very limited. I also thought it would help...