Essay of Application; First Draft

When people think of India they usually think of the historic Taj Mahal, or the beautiful Arabian architecture. However, when I think of India I think of something different. Two years ago, I went to India with a mission group from church to visit orphanages. What I expected was to go help people and make a difference in their lives; however, I experienced something different. While India certainly has its beauty, it also has much poverty. Everywhere there are beggars, abandoned children, and tarp homes. There is a class system embedded into the culture so much that there is clear distinction between the high, middle, and low classes. One image that is burned into my mind is the sight of a rich man’s house with a fence around it, and just feet away were the slums. It was a heart breaking picture. However, in the midst of all this poverty and sadness, there are people: people who love each other with a love deeper than the American culture knows, people who know what it means to stick together through thick and thin, people who can make anyone feel welcome in their home. These were just some of the life lessons learned while I was in India.

I can never forget the first feelings upon arrival in Hyderabad, India. First impressions were made by merely breaking the atmosphere. The smell was putrid. It was something I have never smelled before. After getting off the plane, I immediately noticed that nobody was alone. Everyone was in groups of two or three. This was striking because it showed me that they understand the concept of unity. There was always a mother with her child, or a sister taking care of her younger brother, or a father going to work with a co-worker. There is a genuine sense of unity and care that not many people in America are familiar with.

Americans are not accustomed to seeing beggars or abandoned children right outside their door. It is simply unheard of. These people sit on a street corner in a fetal position with an outstretched hand, waiting for a coin, or some food to fall into the palm of their hand. In the same way, the helpless children repeat these gestures hoping that one day they will receive the expected result. Walking by them broke my heart. There is only so much one person can do. I was fourteen years old with just enough money to get me through the two weeks of my stay, so I did not have much to offer. We were in India primarily to visit orphans; thus, that’s what I was prepared for.

A great deal of lessons were learned at these orphanages. The first thing I noticed was the joy illuminating the children’s faces. This joy went beyond the happiness we know of in America. They had nearly nothing, yet were content with their metal beds and small, possession boxes. These orphans showed me that ‘stuff’ does not bring happiness, rather, happiness comes through contentment in the heart. Many times the things we get so caught up in can be a distraction from what is really important, such as spending time with those you love or going out of your way to lend a helping hand.

The children also showed me that appropriately prioritizing the things in life is important. Family is one of their top priorities. There are many orphans in these orphanages accompanied by their siblings. Even though they don’t have much, they still care for one another no matter how difficult the circumstance may be. In America, we are so used to taking care of ourselves and not worrying about the person next to us. In India, visitors feel welcome by merely stepping foot into the host’s home. They offer everything they have to guests as they take a seat at their kitchen table and make them feel wanted in the home.

These are just a few of the things that I learned when I went to India. Coming back made me realize how much even the poorest of Americans have and how fortunate we are to live in a country like this. I would like to take what I have seen in India and become a nurse so that I can help those in need; not only here, in the United States, but out in the poorest of places. I want people to experience care even if it is just for a short time.