By Sadaf Ghiasy, Fellow Class of 2019
University of Colorado at Boulder
Life is full of opportunities. Everyone can be exceptional when given an opportunity to succeed. But we must embrace every such opportunity. My experience in college has given me an opportunity to sharpen my skills in my field of choice. It has also opened doors for me. I am grateful that I have had many opportunities to learn about myself and what I may want to do in the future. There are things that I have learned in school, including during my fellowship at LSYWC, that I am convinced will significantly impact my future. Taking undergraduate courses, accepting leadership roles, studying abroad, networking, and volunteering have been critical to my growth. It took time for me to discover my passion, what really makes me excited, and what I want to talk about and fight for, but now that I know what that is, I feel like there is no stopping me.
College is a time of significant change for the majority of students. It is a time when most students are becoming more independent, embracing further responsibility, exploring dreams, and developing as individuals. My freshman year at CU Boulder was rough and really tested my strength (mental and physical). I faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles that I had to overcome. But, looking back now, I’m glad for that adversity because it made me a better person—it built my character. Currently, I’m surrounded by opportunities, and most importantly, I have parents who love me and support me. My parents’ unconditional love and support have allowed me to focus on studying and on discovering my calling. I came from a country where individuals are deprived of an education. Insecurity, poverty, and displacement are now keeping many individuals back home away from school. I have seen first-hand hard-working kids who don't have access to a good education and have to work in order to sustain their families. They work extremely hard. They can only dream of the privileges I enjoy in America thanks to my parents. I do not take any part of my life for granted.
One thing I know for sure is that I will pursue what I am really passionate about and that is law. The main reason why I want to study law is the important role it has in the world. Studying law will be very demanding, but I know that I’m up to the challenge. A law school education will be incredibly valuable and will allow me to fight for social justice. The people who support me—my parents, friends, and mentors—have been the key people who have helped me find my passion. I am fortunate to have my mentors in school and in this program to guide me and to help me believe that I can accomplish any goal. LSYWC has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bond and share my experiences with people who have already gone through this process. And, now that I have found my passion, I am on my way to reaching fulfillment.
