I believe obstacles cannot prevent an individual from becoming what he/she wants to become. I have faced many obstacles in my life.

Living with a very cruel Aunt was one obstacle I faced during my junior high school year in Ghana. I was not only abused physically with whips and sticks, but also emotionally. I was constantly told that I was stupid and couldn't do anything right. After years of hearing this, I started to believe it. I believed I would never do anything right in my life. I was afraid to give answers to questions I knew, fearing it might be wrong. I practically had to starve myself to buy school supplies.

Not only did I face obstacles in Ghana, but also here in the United States. Making the transition from an agricultural tribal society to a big city of concrete and brick like New York City was terrifying. Unlike Ghana, where the community work as a group, I found myself in a totally different world, a world that moves faster and no one stops to think about anyone else.

I was mocked in school due to my different accent. I didn't answer questions or participate in class fearing that I would be laughed at. I didn't have any friends because nobody understood me when I spoke about my culture nor did I understand much about theirs. I went home crying on my first, second and third day of school because I didn't understand my teacher's way of educating. I thought at that moment that I could not make it through high school, yet I wanted to succeed so I started teaching myself. I read my textbooks and adopted to different teaching and learning styles, which helped me to understand the lessons much better.

As I prepare for college, I will take these insights with me. No one will stand in my way of pursuing what I want to pursue.