Mukta, 18 years old, 12th grade, Originally from Bangladesh, International High School of Prospect Heights

My name is Mukta and I am from Bangladesh. As a child I lived in a small village of Bangladesh, where everything is green. Maybe this is why my favorite color is green and I am very attached to the nature. Living in Bangladesh was wonderful for me. I have always been determined toward my goal, even after I came to the United States. I came to the United States in 2002. I used to live in Nebraska, a state near Kansas. Nebraska was my favorite place of all in the United States.

When I first came to the United States, I didn’t know any English. Speaking in English all the times with unknown people was hard for me. But I improved and felt comfortable as the people in my school treated me like one of them. They were friendly and I like friendly people. In school I tried to do well and reach as high as possible because I believe dreaming high leads to success.

My dream is to become a nurse someday, although my intial career plan was being a doctor. I hope I can help people and at the same time be someone different. My parents did a lot for me and being the first person to go to a college and have a career is a big deal in my family.