New Jersey student uprooted by Hurricane Sandy makes the most of his opportunity at Harvard | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A woman shares her experience of surviving Hurricane Sandy and how it shaped her determination to attend Harvard University.

Transcript

Well I was sitting down watching TV and the neighbor had knocked on the door and told me I moved your car for you and you need to get out of here and so I ran to the door and I saw how high the waters were and reminded me like the Red Sea of the water just coming down with full force and so I turned to Michael my son and told him you better get out... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 Natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy can have a profound impact on individuals and their perspectives on life and education.
• 😘 Need-based financial aid programs can make prestigious universities like Harvard more accessible to deserving students from low-income backgrounds.
• 👍 Preconceived notions and stereotypes about certain institutions or people can often be proven wrong through firsthand experiences and meaningful interactions.
• 😃 Overcoming adversity, such as homelessness, can teach individuals to cherish and find joy in every moment of their lives.
• 👻 Personal growth can be catalyzed through difficult experiences, allowing individuals to discover their passions and pursue their dreams.
• 🥰 Support from loved ones and community plays a vital role in overcoming challenges and achieving goals.
• 🥰 Material possessions and external circumstances hold less importance when compared to the safety and well-being of oneself and loved ones.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Hurricane Sandy impact the narrator's perspective on life and education?

Hurricane Sandy served as a wake-up call, teaching the narrator the importance of resilience, pressing on despite circumstances, and prioritizing the safety of loved ones. It electrified her interest in education, making her appreciate every opportunity for personal growth.

Q: What inspired the narrator to strive for Harvard University?

The narrator's son, Michael, expressed his desire to attend Harvard at an early age. Learning about the school's need-based financial aid opened up the possibility for both the narrator and Michael to pursue their dreams of attending Harvard. The challenge of affording tuition fueled their determination.

Q: What were the narrator's perceptions of Harvard before attending?

Initially, the narrator held misconceptions about Harvard students being snooty and preppy. However, upon becoming a part of the Harvard community, she discovered that the best thing about the university was the people and the meaningful connections she made.

Q: How did being homeless for 14 months affect the narrator's perspective on life?

The experience of homelessness taught the narrator the importance of finding joy in every moment and appreciating the blessings in life. It also reinforced the idea that losing something can lead to even greater things in the future.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The narrator and her family had to flee their home during Hurricane Sandy, prioritizing their safety over material possessions.

• Hurricane Sandy intensified the narrator's drive to pursue her education at Harvard University, despite the challenges she faced.

• She dispelled misconceptions about Harvard and emphasized the value of human connections and personal growth.