NCHThis I Believe...
I Believe in the Power of Human Will
Hen Pauker
I believe that nothing can stand against the human will.
A year ago, I was trying to gain acceptance to a college in the United States. For me, college here it is not just an academic degree--it is also an opportunity to fuel my passion, passion for swimming. In Israel, my home, I cannot combine swimming and college, the systems do not work together and it is impossible. I wanted to get into Georgia Tech because I heard it is a good school, but the most important thing for me was that I have friends here from Israel. It is not about fear of being alone; it is about being connected to your roots and it feels good when you are a part of something. I have been through three SAT exams and 3 toefl because I had a problem with the language; my math was good but I had to do the exam over and over again just because of the critical reading section. I was exhausted and frustrated; I learned thousands of words which I even do not know in Hebrew, and I read plenty of books just trying to improve my English but unfortunately it was not enough. I felt a big disappointment and not just for myself; I felt it for my parents that wanted my success more than I wanted it for myself and my friends that were waiting for me. I felt ashamed that I studied so hard without success. I decided that I needed to hear the language and to use it in a daily basic routine so I moved to Atlanta just to talk more English and listen to it. I could not swim with Georgia Tech’s swimming team because I was not in the college so I had to swim with a high school team to keep in shape. I can say it was the hardest period in my life, every day I saw Georgia Tech swimming team get out of the water while I had to get in with my high school team. I just wanted so bad to be a part of it. I felt so miserable but I kept studying more words and I tested myself over and over again with enormous desire to get into Georgia tech. finally I am here. I succeeded in the last moment after my third SAT and the second in the united state. When I saw the score that I got and finally it was enough I was crying, not just because I accomplished my goal but it was also because I felt strong, strong that I did not give up and now I can beat anything and no one can stop me from doing what I want.