Growing up in the midst of the Communist Revolution, my father was deprived of educational opportunities and sent to the rural countryside. Through years of determined studying, he gained admission to one of the most prestigious universities in China through college entrance examinations, and eventually received a Ph.D. from an internationally renowned medical college.
Throughout the course of my childhood, my father instilled in me the same discipline, work ethic, and determination that saved him from a life of farm labor. He exemplified these characteristics in my life until his tenacious spirit gradually became my own. The values my father imparted to me have helped me to excel in both sports and academics.
In my four years on the varsity tennis team, it was resilient determination that allowed me to transform from a lowest ranked player into a top singles player and recipient of the most valuable player award. In academics, discipline has allowed me to face a barrage of papers, exams, and projects, and somehow emerge unscathed.
Life will always be a tumultuous journey, but I am thankful for and confident in the tenacious spirit and beneficial attributes my father passed on to me.