I have several reasons why I consider my self as one of lucky persons. First, I am lucky because I own such wonderful parents. I was born as the fifth children in a small village in Garut. Most of people in my hometown still have a traditional thought that to study formally only spend up their money. They think that it’s better to get a job without finishing their school first. Many girls of the same age as me have got married because their parents think that the place for the women is only at home, to take care of their children, cook for their family and don’t need to be educated. My mother was one of the victims of this thought. She only finished elementary school and then got married to my father. However, my mother has a different view. She doesn’t want her children experiencing the same thing with her. Both of my parents concern about the education of their children. That’s why I promise myself that I won’t disappoint them, who have been working hard so that all of my brothers and I could attain the higher stage of education. I show them by studying hard to present the best thing to make them proud of me.
The second one, is that I have got many great chances in my life. Since I was elementary student, my teachers always gave special attention to me. They always gave the chances of every competition to me. It might be because I was one of the best students at school. That’s why I could get some achievements, such as the first winner of reading poetry competition of West Java, tenth winner of Indonesian Language competition of West Java, third winner of the best junior high school students of Garut, and many others. Those chances are very important to form my character so that I can be confident. I want show that although I come from small village, I can attain them.
The third reason is that I can be one of the English Department students in Universitas Padjadjaran, one of my biggest dreams. I didn’t get this chance in my frist year since graduated from high school. I had to wait one year more to make my dream come true. I spent my times in helping my brother in his computer shop. While helping my brother, I still studied to pass the SNMPTN test, the only way I could continue my study because my parents had not enough money to pay for the expense if I passed by SMUP test or applied to private colleges which were more expensive. For the first time, my fourth brother belittled me because he thought that it will be better if I chose another favorite major. Since that time, I have wanted to show him that someday, I will succeed with my own way. I don’t need to be a doctor, dentist, or whatever it is, I only need to be my self and do my best.
During my study in UNPAD, besides studying, I also joined organizations. From this experiences I learned how to communicate with other people, how to share, and how I can maximize my ability, not only in academic. Joining Taman Ilmu, an organization which work on education for the children in Sukanegla, Jatinangor, is the best gift for me. I can share my ability as English teacher with the children. Many of them have financial problem. Furthermore, some of them couldn’t continue their study and work as waiters in some restaurants around Jatinangor. By those children I learn to be grateful with all that I have now. This is the fourth reason why I consider my self to be one of lucky persons.
Those experiences always remind and motivate me to keep studying and trying optimally. I don’t want to disappoint my parents who have a significant role in my life. I also want to show my brothers and all people around me that my choice was right. I want to maximize my ability in English to make all of my dreams come true, and to share more with those children so that they can get the same chance with me.
