Challenge Secondary Essay - Travel

[mmmedical]

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Hi all,

Thanks in advance for your feedback. I'm pre-writing the common secondary essays (Diversity, Adversity, Challenge, etc) and was hoping to get an outside opinion on my idea for the challenge topic.

I studied abroad, but the first few days I decided to solo travel. This was a huge step for me and the first time I had ever done anything of the sort. I was alone in a country and I didn't speak the language, having to navigate the city and make my own way. I was thinking about this for my "challenge" because it was a choice I made to push myself and grow.

I think I'd be able to write about it strongly, and it's relevant because it's given me the courage to solo backpack for a bit before going to medical school (tentative plans if I get in!) My hesitation is it's travel, and I recognize that if I'm not careful, it can come off the wrong way. However, I am trying to expand on/incorporate some of my W&A's in my secondaries and I wrote about travel as one of them so I think it'd be okay.

Let me know what y'all think!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

What "inside opinions" did you get.

So, what was your challenge? You have plenty to choose from: speaking the language, planning an itinerary, finding places to sleep (safely), purchasing the right gear, getting insurance... You aren't writing a novel (what are your character limits?).

 

[mmmedical]

What "inside opinions" did you get.

So, what was your challenge? You have plenty to choose from: speaking the language, planning an itinerary, finding places to sleep (safely), purchasing the right gear, getting insurance... You aren't writing a novel (what are your character limits?).

I am just pre-writing right now, so I don't have a specific character limit at the moment. Other opinions I've received have been to be careful about it, but it's a solid choice for a challenge.

My main challenge was navigating a new country/city in a foreign language, so I would expand on that. I also currently work with a lot of patients who are non-English speaking, so I thought it would be a good way to bridge that experience and how I can apply my understanding of it to healthcare.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I am just pre-writing right now, so I don't have a specific character limit at the moment. Other opinions I've received have been to be careful about it, but it's a solid choice for a challenge.

My main challenge was navigating a new country/city in a foreign language, so I would expand on that. I also currently work with a lot of patients who are non-English speaking, so I thought it would be a good way to bridge that experience and how I can apply my understanding of it to healthcare.

My point is that a diffuse challenge like "travel to a country I've never visited before" can easily try to cover too many things in a shallow way than cover one specific problem (as an example of a challenge) deeply.

Sure, if you wanted to take on the challenge of learning a new language, whether it's for travel or for work (connecting with patients), that's a challenge. I like to see defined SMART goals (look that up) to frame what you did to make sure you are on track for your trip itinerary.

It's a different challenge when it comes to visiting a country. Show me how you are planning your itinerary, your transportation, and your lodging. What is your food budget? Do you have to worry about applying for a visa? What about health insurance abroad? Again, SMART goals help.

Basically don't try to make the essay more complicated than you need to. One strong example exploring your process is better than a compilation of problems whose solution is only "I did it!"