Scholarship Essay Entry – James W.

Throughout all of my youth I never really had an answer to the question of 'what I wanted to be when I grew up'. It was only recently made clear to me it's not important what I end up doing so much as how I get there or who I help along the way. What I do know however, is that I want to inspire others and to do so I must be willing to take risks. I recognized the only way I'm going to change the world is if I'm willing to do something different and deviate from the norm.

Last year I took a year off school and embarked on a backpacking journey throughout Asia. In a period of six months I travelled China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Kazakhstan. Although daunting at first, I soon became confident and began to appreciate the magnificence of other cultures. It was then that I figured out a lot of what people had said about different parts of the world was incorrect. Most of the world is a safe place full of kind people, and it only took me a trip around the world to figure this out.

I also enjoy the great outdoors and I recently completed a cycling trip of 475 km in 3 1/2 days  from Pincher Creek to Red Deer. Taking this trip instilled in me a belief which many people have always repeated to me, but to which I never really gave much thought. It was the cliche saying that 'anything is possible'. With my experiences I've learned many lessons and much about myself, but the most important concept I grasped was that I would have learned nothing had I not gone out to find out about the world for myself. I don't have any grandiose or extravagant plans on how I'm going to change the world or my community. Rather my vision is simple. I intend to make my community a better place by sharing my experiences with my friends. In sharing my experiences with others I hope to establish in them some motivation to explore the world around them for themselves, whether it be in far off lands or closer to home. I believe creating an informed and motivated young populous is the best way to ensure a brighter future. It doesn't take a masters or a doctorate to make someone believe in themselves, it only takes a little time and someone to show them the way.

I'm currently going into my third year of studies for my Philosophy degree at the University of Alberta this fall. Although I am uncertain what I will pursue after I'm done school, I do hope I'll be able to inspire someone else in the process. My name is James and I realize now that if I know anything at all, I know I am young and free.