A lot of people say that the best years of your life are during high school. However, elementary school has had a greater effect on me than high school ever will. My most inspirational teachers have been in elementary school and have instilled in me a passion for learning and for life. Whenever I am asked the question of what I want to be when I grow up, the answer is always, " I want to be a teacher."

My elementary school teachers really played a vital role in helping me to build a strong interest in education. Not only did my teachers teach, they went the extra step to inspire and reach out to the children. For instance, in fourth grade, my teacher enthusiastically got all the children involved in reading scholastic books. It was exciting and fun to see everybody participate and show his or her genuine interest. One day I hope to generate the same excitement as my teachers have done.

Aside from my elementary teachers, my parents' lack of education in their youth greatly motivated me to pursue an education for myself. Back in their native land of Cambodia, my parents never had a chance to go to school, because they had family obligations to help out on the farm. When the Khmer Rouge came and took over, all hopes of survival, let alone receiving a proper education, was gone. When they came to America, they highly stressed the importance of education realizing that is essential to survive in this work-oriented country.

I have always known that I wanted to be involved in education as a career. One particular experience led me to this decision. It was during my trip to Cambodia that I knew for sure. A few kids in the village around the ages of five to ten were curious and asked me to teach them the English alphabet and numbers. It was very basic, and the children learned quickly. I promised them that I would teach them more later on. The next day over fifty kids showed up to learn English. I was amazed. They all participated with eagerness practically screaming at the top of their lungs. After this exhilarating experience, I knew that I definitely wanted to teach others.

It is one of my life goals to complete my education by going through college to obtain a degree in elementary education. Since I was young I knew I had to be a teacher. I want to pass on what my teachers gave me to a new generation of children who will be just as curious and excited as I was at that age. After college I would like to come back to Lowell, MA to teach in the Lowell Public School System.

In the summer of 2002 at the age of fifteen, I had the opportunity to accomplish one of my goals in life. Being youngest out of three children, I was very lucky to be the first child to visit my parents’ native homeland in Cambodia. I’ve always wanted to know more about my culture and about my parents’ childhood and their atrocious past during the Khmer Rouge regime. More importantly, I wanted to visit my relatives who I have never seen before until the day I arrived in Pochentong Airport in Cambodia. During my time there, I experienced a life changing event that I am very proud of which will affect me for the rest of my life.

             Having been raised in America, I was affected greatly by the cultural barriers, but I did not let that stop me from reaching my goals. The different culture enriched me as a person because I became more open- minded to a new way of life. I woke to the sounds of clucking chickens and fell asleep to the sounds of hundreds of crickets. Unlike in America, I helped catch my own dinner like shrimp and crabs. The best part of the trip was visiting the ancient Angkor Temples and getting a first hand experience in learning about its history.

             My trip to Cambodia proved to be a great challenge, but I have gained so much insight about my parents. I learned about my parents’ past from my numerous relatives. One of the most touching stories I’ve heard was about my mother. When she was still in Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge attacked her city and tried to break up her family. When they tried to take her father away, she stood up to the Khmer Rouge and risked her life. My aunt had to convince them to not execute my mother who tried desperately to keep her family altogether. Stories such as these showed me how strong and loyal my parents are. As I am growing up to be a young woman, I want to be as powerful a role model as my parents are to me.

            To see my relatives in Cambodia became part of my ultimate goals in life because I do not have any other relatives in the U.S. besides my immediate family. It was extraordinary to see over twenty aunts, uncles, and cousins greet me when I visited them. No words can describe the feelings I felt when I united with my own flesh and blood. By meeting my family, I felt that a part of me was fulfilled.

            Visiting Cambodia for the first time is definitely the proudest accomplishment I will ever encounter. I am proud of myself for going there because, unlike my older siblings, I had the chance to see a rich culture, my parents’ homeland, and all of my relatives. After the trip, I realized how important and rewarding it is to set a goal and to have the remarkable opportunity to accomplish a dream.