Personal Statement
Jonathan Johnson, Malaysia, English Teaching Assistantship
Walking past the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue still feels surreal. I vividly remember sitting in my Grammy’s trailer watching Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, inspired by his journey and message of hope. His humble beginnings—being raised by a single, hardworking mother and grandparents facing financial pressures—partially parallel my story and continue to inspire my work as a community organizer, public opinion researcher, and educator.
Unlike the rest of my family, I fortunately attended college, choosing the internationally diverse University of Rochester. I quickly became a Research Assistant, researching ethnic politics, Islamic communities, and India’s …show more content…
Seeing the Berlin
Wall littered with messages of hope and listening to locals discuss how far they have come since
Germany’s unification captured dynamics a book or classroom discussion never could.
Through my service experiences in the U.S. and abroad, I truly value engaging with other cultures—and supporting them in their endeavors. At first, I felt nervous walking into a new community. Growing up in a small town, I knew everyone and everything. Now, I was the outsider. I’ll never forget my first day as a Health and Wellness Assistant. Walking around the office, my fluorescent skin and blondish hair stood out among the African American and
Hispanic residents. Despite the staffs’ guidance and encouragement during my first week, questions constantly whirled in my mind: Can I adjust? Will I help? Am I doing this right? I felt lost; they knew so much about the community—while I knew so little. So, my boss and I planned a community walk with a resident, Yohanna, and her two boys, Ezekiel and Ishmael, to introduce myself and learn about the area. I talked to residents on their porches and met families at the neighborhood daycare and church, learning residents needed programs on the weekends.
Jonathan Johnson, Malaysia, English Teaching Assistantship
Walking past the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue still feels surreal. I vividly remember sitting in my Grammy’s trailer watching Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, inspired by his journey and message of hope. His humble beginnings—being raised by a single, hardworking mother and grandparents facing financial pressures—partially parallel my story and continue to inspire my work as a community organizer, public opinion researcher, and educator.
Unlike the rest of my family, I fortunately attended college, choosing the internationally diverse University of Rochester. I quickly became a Research Assistant, researching ethnic politics, Islamic communities, and India’s …show more content…
Seeing the Berlin
Wall littered with messages of hope and listening to locals discuss how far they have come since
Germany’s unification captured dynamics a book or classroom discussion never could.
Through my service experiences in the U.S. and abroad, I truly value engaging with other cultures—and supporting them in their endeavors. At first, I felt nervous walking into a new community. Growing up in a small town, I knew everyone and everything. Now, I was the outsider. I’ll never forget my first day as a Health and Wellness Assistant. Walking around the office, my fluorescent skin and blondish hair stood out among the African American and
Hispanic residents. Despite the staffs’ guidance and encouragement during my first week, questions constantly whirled in my mind: Can I adjust? Will I help? Am I doing this right? I felt lost; they knew so much about the community—while I knew so little. So, my boss and I planned a community walk with a resident, Yohanna, and her two boys, Ezekiel and Ishmael, to introduce myself and learn about the area. I talked to residents on their porches and met families at the neighborhood daycare and church, learning residents needed programs on the weekends.