Growing Up In The Hawaiian Community

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Growing up on the island of Kaua’i has been both a blessing and a curse. It is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, however, it’s very isolated from the rest of the world. Throughout my life, I’ve developed a deep passion for gymnastics. As I entered high school and discussions about college arose, the first thought that popped into my mind was college gymnastics. I remember thinking that I had four years to gain the skills necessary to pursue my dream. Yet, each year I’d find myself looking back at how little progress I’d made. I concluded that due to our isolated shipping destination, it was simply too expensive for my gym to invest in the equipment necessary for training complex skills. I soon realized that pursuing this dream …show more content…

First off, it’s taught me the importance of taking care of the environment. Respecting the natural world is extremely valued in Hawaiian culture. That being said, there are always opportunities to clean up the island through service projects in my community. By taking part in many of those projects through service clubs at my school, this value has been deeply ingrained in me and I believe I’ll take it with me wherever I decide to live next. Additionally, I’ve been able to experience much diversity by living here. As a Caucasian living in Hawaii, I am the minority. Although I have only traveled off island a handful of times, I’ve been able to experience a plethora of cultures just by growing up here. Not only have I gained knowledge about many different cultures, but I’ve also gained a profound appreciation for …show more content…

To do that, I’ve decided to set some objectives. My most prioritized goal is to attend a four year university, preferably in the state of California. I’d say the biggest factor in my determination to get to college is my desire for a successful career in something I love. Furthermore, neither of my parents went to college and I perceive the action of becoming a first generation college student as an exciting new challenge. Lastly, I know that with a college education I will be able to use my newfound wisdom to serve my community. The first way I can do that is by achieving my career goal of being a physical therapist. This would require getting a graduate education through a physical therapy program, resulting in a Doctorate degree in physical therapy. I believe the strongest influence on my decision to pursue this career came from an opportunity I was given to shadow a physical therapist at my local hospital. During that experience, I grew an appreciation for those who work to improve the wellness of the people in our communities. Additionally, I've grown up around a parent who has pursued a career in health and fitness, so I have always been intrigued by the different aspects of health. The first step I’ve taken to pursue this career is declaring majors of either kinesiology or health and exercise science on my college

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