Cristian Gonzalez

"This is Bedford Park Boulevard.
The next stop is Moshulu Parkway.
Stand clear the closing doors please."

Each morning, after waking up reluctantly at five o'clock, jumping onto an overcrowded subway car, and traveling through three New York City boroughs, I arrive at my awaited destination. Everyday, while groaning about their AP Physics or AP Calculus tests, the diverse students of The Bronx High School of Science come together and migrate from every corner of the city to the welcoming steps of our beloved building. When walking through the biology, chemistry or physics wings of Bronx Science, one can sense the intellectual atmosphere and the competitive ambiance that makes Bronx Science what it is. Whether it is dissecting a fetal pig, determining the molecular volume of butane gas or using ripple tanks to analyze water waves, the students at Bronx Science are constantly involved in scientific movement.
        After hearing about a normal day at my scientific school, you probably think I am a science lover and that I aspire to be a rocket scientist. Ha! Surprisingly, one of the things that I learned from Bronx Science and its students is that I do not want to be any type of science major, but instead, I learned that my true passion is languages. I discovered that the intricacies and benefits of foreign tongues and dialects excite and motivate me. As a student of Spanish and French, I have been exposed to different cultures and customs and have grown as a person as a result. Being Guatemalan myself, and by comparing my culture to other Latin American and Spanish-Speaking cultures-such as Peruvian, Argentine, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Spaniard, Mexican and Colombian-I have learned to appreciate other backgrounds and ethnicities. Additionally, the fact that I go to a school where virtually every single nationality and culture is represented has also had a great impact on my understanding and respect for others and their customs.

Rachel Graham Kagan

My name is Rachel Graham Kagan. I've lived in New York City all my life and gone to one school for almost that long. I started Hunter College Elementary School in Kindergarten and have kept on to Hunter College High School, where I am currently a senior. My parents are from opposite ends of the earth; my mom is from a tiny town in Texas that has fewer people than my apartment building, and my dad is from the Upper West Side of Manhattan. I have a brother, Gordon, who is four years younger than me and eccentric, to say the least. At school I especially love English and social studies, but I've had the chance to take interesting courses in math, science, and foreign languages that I hope to continue in college. Social studies is probably my favorite because it involves looking at complex events from every angle, and there is never a right answer. I've been involved in political work during high school, and hopefully I'll be able to continue on through college. My goal is to go into politics¡¦ Maybe someday I'll be president.

Christal Louison

What is imagination?  Imagination is a combination of things. It can be interpreted different ways, and it is what you make of it. Most importantly, imagination is a part of who I am.
        Hi, my name is Christal Michelle Louison. I am sixteen, and with imagination I am able to live my life to the fullest. You see I grew up in a sheltered lifestyle. My parents really cared about my sibs and me, and because of the hard times they endured as youngsters in the Caribbean, they strived to give us the best in life and to keep us away from things they thought my sisters and I weren't ready for. So what do sheltered children do to have fun, and not feel like their missing out on something, when all their friends are doing something and they aren't allowed to? We used our imaginations; we acted, did improvisation, put on our little performances for our parents, built fortresses out of our beds and covers, and pretended to go on wild safari adventures in our house. We even wrote plays and stories to keep ourselves from ever being bored.
        Over the years, as I grow into a young adult, I use my Imagination as a part of everyday life. You see, I attend the Professional Performing Arts High School in Manhattan, and I major in vocal music. In vocal we use tools often associated with imagination, like creativity, when we interpret different songs so we can evoke something inside of people and perhaps change them for the better. When we sang Randall Thompson's Alleluia, I interpreted the song as the wind howling for change for the better, or the wind when it creeps onto you and almost scares you, or when the wind swirls around you making you marvel at its power. This was the way we sang the song and it was one of the songs we sang at Carnegie Hall, where we received a standing ovation.
        In school, I am an active participant in student government, and am the Treasurer of my school. I am part of the Advanced Ensemble, called Songs of Solomon, where we sing all types of gospel and classical music. We are always performing and giving a part of ourselves to people when we sing. I am also part of the Service Club where we perform community service throughout the city, and, on Tuesdays after school, I sing, dance, act, create art activities, and tutor 2 classrooms full of children. Doing all these things, and now being part of Project Bridge, makes me thrilled to be alive, and happy to know that I'm making a difference in peoples lives. I love different cultures and love helping people and seeing different people's cultures, views on different matters, and beliefs.
        I fell honored to be part of Project Bridge and to be given a chance to get to know its participants and the adults in charge who help shape our experience. I know that after all of this, I will never forget the times I shared with everyone, the friendships I've built and the experiences I'll never forget.

Joshua Salim

My name is Joshua Salim and I am a student at the New York City Museum School. As an individual who loves to be exposed to different cultures and to create art, I would like to combine these interests into my future profession.
        Every bit of ink or lead I put on a piece of paper expresses my emotions, accomplishments, goals, and situations I have faced. Not knowing at first what I have drawn, I later interpret the image I created. Even if it is a still life, I may exaggerate its proportions or colors to symbolize a specific mood.
        When I was 15 years old I won a full scholarship to study abroad in Germany. "The German American Solidarity Fund" is a full scholarship program that selected the top ten students from the three areas most affected on September 11, 2001: Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and New York. We were sent to study across the globe to build international relationships and promote cultural understanding. We were exposed to different cultures from other students around the world, and especially students with Muslim background. We participated in a conversation called ¡°Islamic Dialogue¡± and discussed religion, differences between Iraq and Iran, different tribes/societies in Iraq and the population of Turkish people who live in Germany.
        I believe that I have already changed the face of America for many Germans through the friendships I have built. As for the Project Bridge, I will bring my experience with the variety cultures I have been exposed to into a totally different environment with the same goal of building a bridge between two nations, creating an understanding of racial profiling and clarifying misconceptions between the two different cultures.

Alexandra Spencer

Awesome! That's how I'd like to start every poem, every essay, every blank sheet of paper I ever touch. I want to spread enthusiasm to everyone I know; I want to counter all the cynics in New York City. Little things excite me-things like pink soup (oh man BORSCHT!), rearranged desks in a classroom, a white T-shirt paired with jeans and red shoes, tubes of paint (and toothpaste, for that matter), young children (get it? They're little)-so one can only imagine how off-the-wall I am about this program.
        I've lived in the same Manhattan apartment my whole life, and have spoken both Lithuanian and English just as long. My mother is Lithuanian by way of England, where she was born after her parents fled the imminent Soviet occupation, and my father's English-English-was born there, but now lives here, and retains his accent. As the first child in my immediate family, and the first person on either parent's side to be born an American, I've had some issues with identity, and have ultimately wound up equally proud of each country. Through both finding my sense of self and a lifetime attending New York City public schools (Hunter College High School)-and loving the subject of social studies-I feel that I've got a pretty good sense of the barriers between people, be they economic, racial, lingual, geographic, or anything else. It's with that sense that I plan to champion a new, non-exclusive but realistic wave of environmentalism, with the better good of the entire world in mind. Sometimes I feel far too idealistic, but then I figure, maybe all the world needs is a little positive enthusiasm. 
P.S. My favorite food is potatoes.

Cyrus Washington

My name is Cyrus Washington and I was born in Brooklyn, New York. To my mother's comfort, we ended up moving to a small semi-isolated island about an hour away called Staten Island. It must have been a huge change for my parents, moving from a place where you can catch a train on each corner to where only one train ran through the island. Luckily, I was too young to be affected by this change.
        My mother is British born while my dad was born in Brooklyn. For the most part my household was normal-I grew up with my older brother. My drive to succeed comes directly from what my mother instilled in me when I was younger. I like to actively take part in activities such as sports, school clubs, and community service. Last year I ran for S.O. (student organization) President and won. This experience was enriching but also made me realize that I would never want to major in political science. Throughout my high school career I have challenged myself by taking on as much as I can. Now I am S.O. President, cocaptain of my tennis team, a part-time photo lab technician at CVS, and first trumpet in my school's jazz, symphonic and concert bands. I was always taught that if you push yourself, and have the desire to succeed, then you would.
        As my high school career comes to an end, and my college career begins, I hope to major in Bioengineering. I aspire to open my own medical office and sell prosthetics for a fair price, as well as conduct stem cell research in search of a cure for some of today's deadly diseases. As well as my mother, my desire to succeed comes from a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, who said, "You must be the change you see in the world." Everyday I realize how much this means to me as I try my best to be part of the change.

Taiyyab Zaman

Hey E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y. My name's Taiyyab Zaman, but you can call me Ty (tie). I am 16 years old and go to Curtis High School in Staten Island, New York. I was born in Sunset Park, Brooklyn and that's always where my heart and soul will be. I am of Pakistani descent, which I find real unique. This one time me and my best friend got into a cab-you might know how a lot of the yellow cab drivers in NYC are Pakistani-well, I told the driver where we had to go and he looked back at me and my friend and said, "Why don't you have your own cab?" That was one of the funniest things I ever heard a Pakistani say.
        I'm the captain of my basketball team on Staten Island. I take great honor in being the leader of the sport that I play with great passion. Also, I like to cook Pakistani food, because it tastes GREAT! I am a dean at the local mosque, where I help get the kids in order when it comes to prayer time, and where I make sure the kids stay in order.
        As a part of the Project Bridge group, I don't have the highest average, but I do believe I have a lot of awareness. Every year, I either travel or my cousins come from abroad. I have been to England about six times and to Pakistan twice. All these things make me who I am today, because I have seen life from almost every point of view. I have seen things from a wealthy standpoint and also from a poor standpoint. I have been through hardships that other people have not, and I have been on emotional roller coasters that many people can¡¯t understand. That's why I like to joke about many things. I'm a person who appreciates everything I have. I don't ask for much from my parents, just that they be there for me. I am grateful for everything I have and couldn't ask for anything more.

Ying Ying Zhang

My name is Ying Ying and I attend Baurch College Campus High School, New York. I was born and raised in Canton, China. When I was 10 years old, my parent decided to move to America, a decision that changes my life forever. After living in American for more than 6 years, I've come to realize that America is not as perfect as it seems. New York City is portrayed as a place full of economic opportunities.
        However, under the city's glittery layer, there lies evil. New York City is well known for its diversity in population. Yet, living under the same roof with all these different people can also cause problems such as racism. As an immigrant and a Chinese, I was shocked by all the racist acts I've experienced here in America. A lot of people have misconceptions about Chinese immigrants. Some think that Chinese are unable to speak English fluently. Racism is an issue that people have been struggling with for centuries. I believe that the best way to eliminate racism is by studying other cultures. Learning the cultural practices or behavior of another people can help eliminate possible misconceptions. Seeing the truth with your own eyes can help to create bonds of between different ethnic groups.
        The Korea Society is exactly the place where I can find that experience. I believe that this program will open my eyes to Korean culture. I am ready for the exploration of a different ethnic group. The Korea Society serves as a bridge between the students from both Korea and the U.S. It is a bridge that gives us the opportunity to build a stronger and better relationship between the two countries.