[Student Profile]
[Prompt & Essay]
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story. (650 words max.)
Unable to look back at the spirit realm she emerges from, Chihiro walks towards her parents with such determination. She leaves behind a world filled with mystery and chooses not to tell anyone about her experiences. As I step away from the sofa, wiping away my tears, I can’t help but appreciate a film as beautifully animated as Spirited Away. Seeing this movie when I was younger terrified me, but now that I am older, I am able to digest the message being conveyed. It was after seeing this movie with mature eyes and mind, that I developed such a passion for Japanese culture. I ran upstairs to my desk and sat in my white swivel chair. I slammed on the keyboard to find more about the mythology that Hayao Miyazaki was portraying in his work of art. Every scene I had viewed was packed with hidden meanings that I couldn’t understand until I learned more about the culture and religion. I fell in love with the art style of Miyazaki’s movies.
On an early morning, around 8 AM on a weekend, I open my blinds to let the morning sun shine into my room. The light bounces of my walls and covers the grey hardwood flooring where my easel stands. My easel’s friend, the canvas, sits on it with a light coat of linseed oil that has been gracefully smeared onto it. I squeeze the tube of oil paint onto the wooden palette. Just the smallest dollop can go so far on the canvas. I pull up a scene from one of Miyazaki’s masterpieces, and begin to paint. I find myself drawn to his calming art style. I enjoy spending my mornings not only painting a soothing scenery, but appreciating and learning more about the Japanese culture. Not only do the diverse art styles and culture captivate me, but the language does as well.
Not even a week later, I walked through the tall, wooden, double doors that opened to the smell of coffee and fresh baked cookies. Books filled the room, spreading out in every direction. I headed up the escalator and strolled over to the back left corner where the land of language learning exists. I walked down the aisle to find the Japanese section. It was on the bottom shelf next to French and Chinese. I sat on the navy blue carpet for what had seemed an hour, fumbling through different beginner workbooks and vocabulary books. I had put in countless hours making due with language learning websites, videos and apps, and I thought an actual textbook might help me learn more. I returned home to my desk and white swivel chair sitting there for hours completely engaged in learning something brand new. I enjoyed every second I put into it, writing the Romaji, and then the Hiragana characters next to it. Practicing the stroke order and memorizing the alphabet. Before I thought different countries lived in their own separate worlds, with their own languages and ways of doing things. It’s when people learn the language of others where is connects the bridge to those different worlds.