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Scholarship Spotlight Spring 2011 - Ohlone College Foundation

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Farnoosh Vahedi

  • Fremont Bank Scholarship

My parents fled Iran as religious refugees. My grandfather decided to return to Iran to support families still suffering persecution and was eventually hanged for being a Baha'i. My parents continued in my grandfather's footsteps of service, and once in India worked as teachers in a village in Madhya Pradesh. Raised in this atmosphere, service is a big part of my character. I volunteered at a non-profit after graduating high school. I spent two months traveling to various 'shudra' or untouchables (outcastes of the Indian caste system) villages in a four-member team. I provided basic sanitation information, trained the locals to create latrines, and taught them to make safe drinking water.

My experiences there are some of my fondest memories. It was here that I decided that the joy I received from helping my fellow man was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I however still realize that financial security is also important. Taking these factors into consideration, and my interest for the sciences lead me to pursue a degree in Biochemistry and after pursue a degree in medicine.

I came to America when I was seventeen. My parents however didn’t want to leave their non-profit work in India. Being in a foreign country alone was initially a big challenge for me. However, three years later I find myself at home here. School has been a big part of my transformation here. It was at Ohlone that I made my first friends, and my thirst for knowledge was satisfied. I however also know the sacrifices, dedication and hard-work that my major requires. How often times a night-out with friends needs to be sacrificed to finish a lab report, or how sometimes study hard and still failing a quiz requires you to work harder and study smarter. I understand what I have to do, but I know I need help doing it. Working two jobs and going to school has been a constant juggling act for me, and has at times caused my studies to suffer. The financial support will allow me to work less and focus on my studies more. Furthermore, with this scholarship I realize that a trust has been placed in me, and this will motivate me further in my field.

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