Scholarship Essay Entry – Lara T.

A global vision for the world
Since graduating from high school and beginning my transition into adulthood, I have often struggled with answering the all-important question that young adults face: "what will I do with my life?" I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education and have completed a Bilingual Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Though it may seem obvious what my chosen career path will be, I have not found complete satisfaction in nursing.

Nursing is an honorable profession and has the potential to touch many lives. However, throughout my nursing degree I was most interested in learning about the relationships between various sectors in contributing to the development of a society. It became increasingly clear to me that collaboration between sectors and disciplines could drastically improve the health and well being of populations around the globe. For example, if environmental responsibility is taught in schools, it should lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and in turn reduced rates of illness in humans and animals alike. Of course it is true that one profession cannot do everything, just as one person cannot do everything; but perhaps it is time that we began to re-evaluate the roles of various professions and sectors, just as we might evaluate that one person could do more than she may have thought.

This reflection has motivated me to apply the knowledge and skills I have learned through my nursing experience toward a Bachelor of Education. My vision for the world is one in which various disciplines work together to achieve common goals. I envision a world where the environment is protected in the interest of human health and a more sustainable economy. I picture a world where language learning is promoted to facilitate inter-cultural relations and enhanced brain development. I hope for a world where governments, agricultural industries and health ministries work together to make healthy foods more affordable and less concentrated in harmful chemicals. These dreams are large but not unattainable.

I believe that change can begin anywhere. I believe that teaching a child in a kindergarten class that the empty juice boxes go in the blue box can shape that child's environmental conscience for life. I also believe that by travelling to a developing nation and working with its teachers to improve teaching practices or curriculum can have a profound impact on that country's future. These are just two examples of how I intend to change the world throughout my career.

By stepping outside of traditional career roles and finding new ways to solve problems, I believe that we will transform our world for the better. I strive to always use my skills and knowledge for the greater good, regardless of my professional title. I will make the world a better place by investing my time, energy and passion into my work with the conviction that my social responsibilities are as important as my professional responsibilities.