Gallaudet National Essay Contest
Commendable		The Experience of a Lifetime By Ann Pham Loveland High School; Loveland, Colorado

	Ann Pham

It was hard to imagine a lifestyle where I would wake up in the morning, put on the clothes I wore the previous day, eat a small bowl of soup, and walk two or three miles to school. Then, in 1998, I went to Vietnam.

Because I was born in America and constantly surrounded by Caucasians, I had little knowledge of who I really was and what I represented. By traveling to my homeland, I learned to appreciate life as it has been given to me and not to take any of it for granted.

The morals and values instilled in me by Vietnamese tradition make me who I am. These morals, combined with the educational and social opportunities that I have received from the United States, have helped me through thirteen years of challenging academic endeavors. After watching the diligent workers of Vietnam, I realized that money and happiness do not come easily.

From this trip, I discovered that people live life in many distinct ways and that I need to cherish my life and value the opportunities that are given to me. Being in an atmosphere where I was part of the majority culture, I was forced to look at life in a different perspective. If not for this trip, I would have lived without knowing my identity and what I really wanted to do in the future.

I give credit to the Vietnamese and American cultures for my growth and success. My goal is to have not only a well-paying job, but also a career that I love and contentment in my life. I have set new goals. I will show pride in my culture.

I have become thankful. .