Lehman College Application Essay

Lehman College: Statement of Purpose
We live in a technologically advanced era, an era that has impacted communication immensely. Not only is communication important for social lives and individual development, but it also strikes the educational and academic spheres, as well. As a daughter of immigrant parents, I was given the immeasurable opportunity of getting an education here, in the United States. Through my family’s teachings, and my own personal development, I’ve come to value education, perseverance, a strong work ethic, and intellectual flexibility.
Growing up around those who had just emigrated from the former Soviet Union helped me become aware of how important the process of acquiring language can be – both for my parents and for myself. My family, speaking both Russian and Bukharian, barely spoke any English, but they were still determined to learn the language as soon as possible. As my mom sat in front of a television, pausing every few seconds to test her pronunciation, my fascination for the adaptation of speech and language began. I became further fascinated when watching old home videos of myself struggling between the three languages that I grew up surrounded by.
Strangely, it was also through music that my appreciation and

I was responsible for implementing intervention for one child with autism, while also working with his typically developing sibling and interacting with their parents. Often times, this child had temper tantrums which taught me to quickly and effectively respond to his outbursts. This hands-on experience expanded my understanding as to how people adapt to a lifestyle when they have a family member that is not typically developing. Having the parents’ approval and trust in working with their child showed me the crucial importance of having a strong connection with individual