Reflect on your unique background and tell us about a time when you had to relate to someone whose life experience was very different from your own. How did you approach the difference? If put in a similar situation again today, would you respond differently? If so, how? (650 words)
Diversity is a key driver of innovation and discovery. Each person has a unique set of circumstances by which he/she is shaped and influenced. My background, views, and goals have largely been molded by my family's history and my personal background.
I come from a family of Holocaust survivors. Both my mother and father’s families lost many relatives to the Nazis during WWII. Because of this background, my family does not tolerate race, ethnic, or religious discrimination. I was taught to judge people by their actions, not superficial aspects such as their gender identity or political views.
Growing up in California, I learned to encourage other kids to remember their roots and stay close to the culture from which they came. These differences - from family traditions and ethnic food to philosophical and religious beliefs - do not separate individuals but rather enrich them. Many of my close friends are of Chinese, Korean, Mexican, or Eastern or Western European origin. In fact, parents of my FRC Robotics teammates came to the US from a total of sixteen different countries. Yet, I’ve realized that tolerance and acceptance are just a first step. The true gift of diversity lies in sharing and learning.
I initially studied Kung Fu to stay fit and to learn self-defense. However, I noticed that my teachers and my peers saw something more in it; they found some spiritual significance in their practice, which I did not understand. My curiosity led me to ask Anthony, my fellow student and master Yung Chi Chung's oldest son, why people “pretend” Kung Fu is so sacred and devotional when that attitude seemed pretentious to me.
Fortunately, Anthony was kind and empathetic enough to be amused, not angry, by my naivety and lack of respect. He gave me several books to read on Shaolin Monastery, a Zen Buddhist temple founded 1500 years ago which has remained as the main temple of the Shaolin School of Buddhism to this day. Bodhidharma, the first Chinese Buddhist monk and patriarch, originated the style of Kung Fu I had been practicing. Learning more about Bodhidharma and life in Shaolin Monastery opened my eyes to the reasons my friends from Kung Fu class exhibited such admirable traits: their focused studying, endless devotion, and ability to work hard without immediate gratification. I always respected my friends for these characteristics, but after finding their roots, I started to mindfully practice the same attitude in my day-to-day life.
Interestingly, this approach differs from my native culture, where success is thought of as effortless, driven by talent and inspiration. Being raised this way I tend to approach a challenge through intuition and an internal sense of beauty--of “belonging together”. While this approach has worked well for me, Kung Fu was one area that required a more driven, structured approach which I learned from Anthony. Indeed, with more experience in Kung Fu, I found a way to express myself through movement, modifying both my body and mind to reveal my creative potential. The flow of force and energy created by each move facilitated moments of discovery and inspiration. Unexpectedly, I have often demonstrated a burst of spontaneity and creativity after Kung Fu training.
From a young age I learned how respect and acceptance of other cultures can profoundly improve your life by enriching your perspective. However, my experience in Kung Fu taught me that the true reward comes from digging deeper and finding what lies behind these views. I am sure that the University of Colorado Boulder will provide numerous opportunities for me to share and learn in a community where unique perspectives are appreciated.
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