Being a non-traditional college student has profoundly influenced both my educational journey thus far and my future goals. Growing up as the "foreign kid" in Japan due to my Caucasian lineage and language barrier, I experienced isolation and prejudice firsthand. These challenges instilled in me a deep empathy for others and a commitment to combating prejudice, shaping my approach to education and career aspirations. During my undergraduate studies, I aspired to work in professional sports with a long-term goal of becoming a physical therapist. Attending the University of South Florida's Athletic Training Graduate Program provided me with invaluable opportunities to work with athletes at various levels. Through these experiences, I learned that each injury is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective. This lesson was further reinforced during a summer internship with a physical therapist for the Toronto Blue Jays, who emphasized the importance of treating athletes as whole individuals, both physically and emotionally. These experiences solidified my commitment to creating inclusive and non-judgmental environments in my future practice as a physical therapist. Upon completing graduate school, I was presented with a unique opportunity to become a Japanese/English interpreter for the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite lacking prior experience, I embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Working closely with a Japanese player, I navigated diverse responsibilities both on and off the field, learning to think ahead, multitask, and persist in the face of obstacles. These skills, honed in a high-pressure environment, will undoubtedly benefit my future practice as a physical therapist. Reflecting on my journey as a non-traditional college student, I have gained invaluable insights and skills that will shape my future goals as a clinician. My short-term goal is to help individual patients recover from their injuries by applying a personalized approach to treatment. I aim to cultivate trusting relationships with my patients by prioritizing their individual needs and fostering an inclusive treatment environment. In the long term, I aspire to tackle broader issues in healthcare, such as increasing the quality of life for the geriatric population. My experiences as the "foreign kid" in Japan have instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to combating prejudice, which will guide my efforts to address systemic challenges and disparities in healthcare. Overall, being a non-traditional college student has shaped my educational experience and future goals by fostering empathy, resilience, and a commitment to creating inclusive and non-judgmental environments in my future practice as a physical therapist. Through continuous learning and growth, I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare and improving the lives of individuals and communities.

One of my favorite games to play in co-op mode on Nintendo is "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate." There's an undeniable thrill in gathering with friends or family to engage in intense battles featuring beloved Nintendo characters. However, one particular multiplayer session stands out in my memory, solidifying "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" as my top choice for cooperative gaming experiences. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, and my friends and I had decided to spend the day indoors, immersed in our favorite video game. With snacks at the ready and controllers in hand, we eagerly launched into a series of heated matches. The room buzzed with excitement as we selected our fighters and prepared for battle. As the matches progressed, each one more intense than the last, one showdown in particular left an indelible mark on my memory. It was a four-player free-for-all on the iconic "Final Destination" stage, with each of us fiercely determined to emerge victorious. The battlefield was a flurry of activity, with characters darting across the screen, launching attacks, and evading incoming blows. In the midst of the chaos, a moment of unexpected teamwork unfolded that would solidify "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" as my favorite co-op game. With two of my friends locked in a heated one-on-one duel, I found myself facing off against the remaining opponent. Despite our rivalry in the game, we shared a silent understanding as we joined forces to take down our common foe. With synchronized precision, we coordinated our attacks, seamlessly combining our characters' abilities to overwhelm our opponent. Time seemed to slow as we executed a flawless series of combos, launching our adversary off the stage with a final, decisive blow. As our opponent's character plummeted into the abyss below, we exchanged triumphant high-fives, celebrating our victory as a testament to the power of teamwork. In that moment, "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" transcended its status as a mere video game and became a catalyst for unforgettable shared experiences and bonds forged through cooperative play. As we continued to play into the night, laughter and friendly banter filling the air, it became clear that "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" had secured its place as our go-to game for cooperative gaming sessions, destined to create countless more cherished memories in the years to come.

By junior high school, I was already accustomed to being the "foreign kid." I'm now glad for my upbringing, but during my childhood, that wasn't the case. After my parent's divorce, I followed my mom back to her native land, Japan. The struggle was not merely learning a new language, but going to a public elementary school, where all the other students and teachers were Japanese. Due to my dad's Caucasian lineage, my physical appearance stood out and that brought a great deal of unwanted attention. I took away two key lessons from this experience. First, being in a completely different culture and being unable to communicate gave me a sense of isolation. Inadvertently, from a young age, I was prompted to think about how other people felt. Knowing how hard the isolation was led me to want to help others in my shoes. Secondly, I also felt unfairly judged because much of what I did was attributed to being the "foreign kid." Driven by my determination to prevent others from experiencing prejudice, I developed a mindset to see people as individuals with core values, instead of their superficial attributes. As an aspiring physical therapist, I know I can use these lessons to succeed in practice by creating an inclusive and non-judgmental environment and looking beyond the injury to the individuals and their feelings. My career goal is to become a physical therapist who can help the underserved and uninsured population. My motivation to pursue a career in physical therapy stems from its non-pharmaceutical methods for enhancing the well-being of individuals across all age groups, as well as the diverse range of professional opportunities within the field. While pharmaceuticals undoubtedly have a vital role in healthcare, I believe that prioritizing non-pharmaceutical interventions and behavior modifications is the more sustainable approach, to be considered before resorting to medication. This is why I value musculoskeletal interventions, as they play a pivotal role in promoting positive behavior patterns that can lead to healthier lifestyles. Through attending a Doctorate of Physical Therapy program, I will develop skills to become a well-rounded clinician with strong hands-on skills and knowledge that will help patients. As I start practicing, I want to put an emphasis on promoting the best quality of life for older adults in particular. My grandfather was bedridden for many years before he died and I saw the emotional, physical, and financial effects that his condition incurred and the drain on the healthcare system. I wonder if his situation could have changed with early intervention, education, prevention, and non-traditional treatments. After gaining practical experience working directly with patients in the field, I plan to shift my practice to a non-profit organization. Being able to provide patient care in different venues is important to me because, as my mindset and knowledge mature with experience, I hope to help the underserved and uninsured population. I currently work as an industrial athletic trainer, and most of the employees I work with do not have health insurance. Ideally, all of them would have affordable access to healthcare but since that is not the case, I put an emphasis on preventing any health concerns or injuries. However, recognizing the limitations of my current role, I have decided to further my education and become a physical therapist. This will allow me to broaden the scope of my practice and positively impact a wider range of people. Additionally, I want to become proficient in assessing patients through manual techniques, ensuring I can provide quality care, even in situations where diagnostic tools may be limited with my future endeavors.