Hi there! My name is Jonathan Kang, and I am a senior at Andover High School. I live in a family of five: my parents and two brothers. As a sophomore, I joined Global Pathways in the hopes of increasing my knowledge regarding other cultures and touching base on the world's different characteristics that make humanity great. Joining Global has introduced me to an array of perspectives that opened up my perspective of the world. Not only did Global allow me to learn more about world problems, but they inspired me to take action. Of the numerous world issues that the program covered, I was more particularly interested in the differences in good health around the world, which sparked my interest in volunteering in areas within that field, more specifically at Lowell General Hospital (LGH). After graduating later this June, I will be studying Biomedical Engineering on a Pre-Med track at George Washington University, where I hope to learn even more about the differences in healthcare throughout the world. As a Global Scholar, I hope to use this interest to guide my education and make a positive impact within my community and beyond.
Ever since I was little, I've always enjoyed running. On my soccer team, many of my teammates referred to me as the "fast-kid." Even though my teammates have gave me this kind title, I've stayed away from this sport because I never saw myself as a fast runner. During my sophomore year, my teammates encouraged me to try winter track, convincing me that running track will help me stay in shape during the off-season. After running a few time-trials and competing at a few meets, I've found in a competitive position in the sport. As the winter season ended, my coach came and persuaded me to come back in the Spring saying that my athletic ability has strong potential. So I did and two years later, I'm glad that I made that decision. From being an All-Conference athlete as a sophomore to breaking two school records and competing on the national stage, I owe a lot to track and field as it widened my perspective regarding trying new things.
The game of soccer has been a core part of my life. I've been playing soccer since I was four years old, and despite not liking the sport during my early childhood, this game taught me the important values of teamwork and perseverance. As the level of play increases with each consecutive year, the importance of these values gets stronger. The simplicity of the game makes Soccer the world's number-one sport. Looking at Soccer through a Global lens, this simple game has united the diverse world with a shared passion. Being a fan and a player, I feel more connected as I share a common interest with the rest of the world.