do the same justice to this paper...

As Dr. King mentioned, critical thinking affects not only the way we act and think as a person, but also our characteristics. I have just recently went through a situation where I had to make a crucial decision which strengthens both the way I see myself as a person, and also the way I think in the future.

I was told to move to Singapore when I was in the fourth grade as the country provided a much higher educational standard than that in Indonesia. Reflecting back, I am glad to have spent my teenage years in Singapore and proud to have been an exceptional student in my high school. I have won awards for my excellence in mathematics and was able to score a 10 point on my GCE O Level. In addition to all that, I also befriended many incredible friends. I was having a wonderful life in Singapore and was excited for the future that I had always imagined and planned - a diploma from Singapore’s very best university, a high paying job, a loving family.

However my dream was cut short when I was given the choice to move to the United States to pursue my education. It was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. If I were to move out from Singapore, I had to leave six years of my incredible life behind and begin a new chapter in a whole new country, I had to leave my friends, family, and job opportunities behind. It was an obvious choice for me at first to decide to stay in Singapore to pursue my planned future but as I rethink about my decision, I realized that if I were to skip out on this amazing opportunity of studying in the United States, I would miss out on the chance of traveling to a whole new country and experiencing new cultures and lifestyle. The thought of leaving behind six years worth of my life behind to start over a new one in a foreign country frightens me but as I list out the pros and cons of moving to the United States, I began to realize that when one door closes, another one opens. I told myself that I should take this opportunity and turn it into something that I would not regret in the future.

I eventually chose to move to the United States after much deliberation. It was like a blessing in disguise. When I arrived in the United States, I was terrified of the new surroundings and culture. Every aspect of the atmosphere was new to me, a mere 17-year-old boy at the time. Although initially understanding the different concept of college classes was tough, I was able to ace my classes with the help of my caring professors and newfound friends that I knew I could depend on in the future. I lived under the care of my uncle and aunt who are currently both residents in California. Although I was terrified by the fact that it was the first time in 17 years of my life that I was not living by my parents’ side, I felt secured and loved. Both my uncle and my aunt were like my second parents; they treated me as though I was their own son.

As time passed, I realized how wonderful my life has been since I moved to the United States. The short yet fulfilling process of thinking about my future has somehow changed me into a different person. I felt more assured of myself and I felt more confident in being able to trust in my own decision from that day onwards. It has also taught me that in order to mature and grow, I must leave my comfort zone and learn to fend for myself.