Discovering My Strength Through Language by Lana

Discovering My Strength Through Language by Lana - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

I discovered a new strength in myself through helping my parents with translation, and this experience has influenced my growth in many ways. Helping my parents with translation has always been a big part of my life, and it has helped me influence others and become more fluent in the languages I speak. It has also shown me the importance of communication and understanding different languages at a fast pace and with multiple people at once. My parents are both fluent in Sureth and Arabic but struggle with English. This is where I come in and help them to translate their conversations, documents, make appointments, and more. This helps them navigate their way through their day more easily without having to pay someone to translate for them.

I am usually helping both of my parents with translating for their healthcare providers and documents that get sent to them daily. Although my translations might not be quite accurate because English, Sureth, and Arabic are very different languages, I always try to describe what I am translating. I always try to pay attention to what people are saying, and I memorize then say my response more easily and understandably. Through these moments, I discovered my strength in communication and patience.

For my parents, I make sure that their voices and needs are being heard. I always explain their responses and try to work with the people to whom I'm translating. I will slow down and repeat things if they are not being understood clearly, and I make sure that at the end, everything works out between my parents and others. I’ve become accustomed to switching between languages quickly and understanding three different languages at the same time: English, Arabic, and Sureth.

This experience, which I will continue for as long as I can, has helped me in many ways and taught me a lot of patience. By translating for my parents, I know that they are doing well, their voices are being heard, and their needs are being addressed. By putting myself in this role and discovering this strength, I feel a sense of responsibility and maturity that has influenced my growth. I am helping people overcome their language barriers while developing skills that will guide me through my life.