by Esther An, Caroline D. Bradley Scholar
If I had asked seventh grade Esther An where she was going to be in three years, she probably wouldn鈥檛 have eagerly responded with, 鈥淲allingford, Connecticut.” Actually, even the suggestion
of anywhere outside the city of Los Angeles, California, where I was born and raised, would have been met with incredulousness.
But, somehow, I find myself writing in a dorm room almost 3,000 miles away from where I imagined I鈥檇 be, in the midst of fall term at Choate Rosemary Hall. When I look back on the events that led me here, they originate, inevitably, from the . The short version: CDB completely opened up my world.
More specifically, though, I remember walking into my CDB interview as if it was yesterday, as well as my distinct feeling that I could talk with Bonnie and Brianna forever. Leaving the gorgeous green offices in Pasadena that day, I was overwhelmed by their warmth, love and kindness.
I was over the moon when I joined this community because, as I began to meet fellow Scholars and parents, I realized that this feeling of connection, of finding my people, only got stronger. Our network is incredibly diverse, but each and every person is connected in the way that they鈥檙e some of the most generous, inspirational and passionate people I鈥檝e had the privilege to meet. For me, that鈥檚 been the most unique aspect of this whole experience. CDB has allowed me not only to broaden my horizons and take on challenges I couldn鈥檛 have previously imagined, but also to find my favorite people.
I honestly can鈥檛 believe there was a time when I didn鈥檛 know them, especially my wonderful friends at Choate. Everything I鈥檝e shared with my peers has shaped me: working through computer science with Lucas, contemplating the meaning of life and how one can understand the inner workings of an Arduino with Aarthi, making it through a flight to Kentucky with Anna, discussing the importance of faith during a cross country run with Emma, getting a 鈥減ing鈥� from Sam, being awed by one of Kathy鈥檚 brilliant solutions to a math problem and listening to Bekah鈥檚 invaluable advice when I鈥檓 unsure of what I鈥檓 doing 鈥� I could go on and on about how special these people are to me and how much I love them.
It鈥檚 really no surprise that traveling across the country hasn鈥檛 been the only drastic change I鈥檝e welcomed these past few years. CDB has empowered me with the will and grit to try and discover myself. With the support of the amazing people at 优蜜视频, I鈥檝e thrown myself headfirst into new expeditions. From starting and sticking with Choate to taking black-and-white film photography to learning dance and to joining a hack-a-thon, CDB鈥檚 incredible community has taught me that there鈥檚 nothing I can鈥檛 learn or grow from. I鈥檝e also realized that I have a lot to be grateful for. I鈥檓 so lucky to be a member of this fabulous group.
If there鈥檚 one thing CDB has taught me, it鈥檚 that the unknown isn鈥檛 so scary when our community 鈥� our family 鈥� is with you on your journey, every step of the way. My dearest hope is to be the kind of person who can give back to the world all of the blessings I鈥檝e been gifted.
The application for the 2019 Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship is now open! Visit the for more information and to apply.