I used these contents, from the actual story of my life, for the University Entrance essays. I guess I would be updating the old statement, thus publishing the contents of the old statement here.
==========
My focus in the field of immunology is in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. There were four modules related to immunology in my undergraduate studies, immunology, microbiology, medical microbiology and diseases of the blood and immune system. Using the knowledge I got from these modules to further my education, I am hoping to research the root causes of SLE, which could be used to find an additional therapy for it.
Risking the possibility of sounding immature, I do like to state the areas that I find fascinating to probe more into for searching further details in the causes of systemic lupus erythematosus, which are - RAG1-RAG2 genes, anergy, complement cascade components, specifically C4; & last but not least, the T-regulatory cells that suppress immune activity. I’m attaching my research direction in a separate paper on these together with this personal statement.
In this part of the essay, I would like to explain why I chose to apply for graduate studies in Immunology.
I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus at the age of 14. I was a happy, athletic girl with a bubbly personality. I was a class rep, a state badminton tournaments candidate and a candidate for the annual outstanding students’ examinations, but that was all before SLE. It took everything I had and possibly everything I’ve ever wanted in my life.
I still remember the evening SLE came into my life. I was playing with my friends, under the sun. I just recovered from a cold, thus I wore an insulating fur-sweater. It was a hot evening. I had an accident, but it was on my knee; just another bruise an active kid would get. But about an hour later, I had a terrible nosebleed, which didn’t stop for sometime even though me and my friends tried everything we could and used a couple of rolls of tissue-paper we found in the toilet. We probably gave the genitor hell the next morning. So after seeing my pale lips, my friends forcibly sent me to the principal’s office, which was not exactly the place any student would willingly go. I had to lie on the couch in principal’s office for the evening, until my father came to pick me up. That was the start of chaos in my life.
It took over 6 months to get correctly diagnosed with SLE. By the time I was diagnosed, my doctor was already consulting with a renal specialist due to possible lupus nephritis. Fortunately, I was healthy enough to avoid a renal biopsy, which I know probably wouldn’t have healed well after being stuffed with high dose of prednisones. I went through highschool, shuttling between school, clinics, hospitals, and tuitions. It took some time for SLE to start calming down after its first attack. From the time I was diagnosed, I lost many parts of my life. I had to adjust every part of my life and I had to start learning to live with what I have. I chose to study Computer Science in national university, which was my second choice after medical school in my application. It was partly because of the geographical convenience and partly because it was a new and interesting field in my home country, Myanmar. The university was just moved to the brand-new building allocated for it in the township I was living in then, from its inaugural temporary building in an industrial area nearby. If the university’s location was far from where I lived, I would not have finished a university education in my country.
Living in a country under military regime, I understood the unstable conditions that could change any moment and could alter the course of history. These conditions usually initiated from university students’ uprisings. There was general suppressed disapproval and fear of the regime in public. Being young and reckless supported by a relatively educated mind, little riots and protests of university students were rather common, as well as the life-changing punishments and imprisonments for politically active students. After the university protests in 2000 which spread to the public, universities of different professions were allocated to new places across Yangon state, and my former university was one of them.
That was how I was chanced into studying Computer Science. After feeling lost and miserable for 2 and a half years immersed in family problems & health issues, I realized that I need to know what is wrong with me. I couldn’t stay in the dark any longer. I was about to finish my undergraduate studies in Computer Science then. I knew it wouldn’t solve anything instantly but I would have the reason and ability to look-away and stay positively focused. Thus, I chose to study Biomedical Science, after I’ve graduated with credit (B) in B.C.Sc (Bachelors in Computer Science).
I went to Singapore to study in a private institution that gave undergraduate degrees from University of Bradford in Biomedical Science. I chose a programme that led to BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science, which let students choose a specialization for final year. I chose Cellular and Molecular Pathology, since the only two specializations available were Cellular and Molecular Pathology and Medical Biochemistry. I started in October 2007, finished all my modules in October 2010 and graduated with Second Class Lower Honors in Biomedical Science on November 2011. Being an international student in a foreign country, I did have some social issues and health issues though minor during my studies, particularly in my final year, though I was able to handle them, which was fortunate. I juggled part-time work, school and a dissertation during my final year of studies. During the periods of studies abroad & visiting back home, I’ve watched and experienced significant events and changes in my home country, like the saffron uprising, Nargis, and the release of our leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house-arrest. I’m grateful for such colourful experiences that shaped me. These events and my life experiences will always remind me that I need to take life day by day, and move forward to really live a life that is worth living.
Therefore, I’m applying to study Immunology in this prestigious university to get an excellent, well-rounded knowledge in all aspects of the field to be able to use it further in learning more about SLE.
-----
Righted and copyrighted to Su Htwe Cho.
No comments:
Post a Comment