Submission Number: 54
Submission ID: 341
Submission UUID: 407c38cf-695a-4307-97bc-20bc846ac02e

Created: Thu, 04/29/2021 - 14:20
Completed: Thu, 04/29/2021 - 14:20
Changed: Tue, 09/03/2024 - 20:06

Remote IP address: 166.113.16.243
Submitted by:Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
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Sriya
Kasu
She, Her
Englewood
CO
United States
80111
Environmental Engineering
English 5, Telugu 5, Spanish 3, Hindi 2
As a daughter of proud Indians, we have visited India multiple times and even have lived there for a year. These visits are partially filled up with eating my grandmother’s cooking and enjoying the summer with mangoes. But when we inevitably left the comfort of my grandparent’s home, I was brought face to face with the reality in India. There are homes of the rich, mansions right next to slums with only a wall dividing the two. The juxtaposition of both areas is so apparent. One side has all the luxuries one could want while the other does not even have access to a toilet and proper water. The roads are filled with all types of species from monkeys, cows, stray dogs, and humans, while others resemble roads in the states. The disparity among my people is stark. Beggars in front of impressive malls and offices both coexisting unaware of the irony. Though the situation has improved, there are still strides to be made. I realized my privilege. After visiting multiple times, I realized the importance of community service, and my year studying in India allowed me to be a significant member of my community. I was able to donate to and spend time in orphanages. In school, we learned basic engineering skills to develop machines to help our brothers and sisters living in slums with necessities. Such an opportunity to help out made me recognize how simple solutions can have an impact. Such experiences in India have prepared me and motivated me to be a more integral part of my international community.
To be able to open my door to see someone unlike me would be the dream. In such a vision, we would be wired differently. Our different perspectives would drive us to the edge. We would argue on everything from politics to math. But at the end of the day, we both would not live in a fantasy, believing that our viewpoint is the only right one. We would live in a world where there is no black and white. We would push each other to consider other possibilities. We would be able to solve each other's problems by providing a different perspective. We would be the very definition of opposites attract. To become a better citizen of this world, I can not surround myself with people who reason like me. I would not be able to grow. Hence opening my door to someone who will push me to think outside of the box would be the dream.
Joining this community would allow me to become a better citizen of the world. I believe that I am capable of change, and getting involved in this RAP program would allow me to use my capacity to better the world. As an engineer, we already can change the world through innovation. We quite literally build the world. Taking this power and combining it with the knowledge of how to better this world can make our innovations and breakthroughs purposeful. Our power can be used for a good cause. Being a part of this RAP will make me a better person and a better engineer. In terms of what I can contribute, I bring a fresh perspective and my hardworking nature. I am someone who gives my all to everything I do. I am a firm believer that we get what we put in, so I am ready to give my all to this program. My experiences living in India and as a newly diagnosed diabetic and so many other experiences give me a unique perspective of the world. Being a part of this RAP will allow me to grow my interest in my international community while I can provide a fresh perspective and a hardworking attitude.
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