Find x

Inspired by a past University of Chicago application essay question.
Having been given the opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia this past winter break, I couldn't help but think about the last trip that my family and I made there.

So, what is x?

2009: As I boarded the plane that was to take me across the North Atlantic Ocean, I felt a mix of emotions, but I was excited. I was about to miss two weeks of school to join millions of people from around the world to perform Hajj, the pilgrimage every Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime in order to fulfill as one of the five pillars of Islam. Besides feeling excited, I also felt intrigued. I had learned so much about Hajj in my religion class, and I was finally going to understand the “enlightenment” and “rebirth” that so many others had experienced before.

As soon as we entered the hotel after a torturous 16 hour flight, we heard the call to prayer. I almost screamed. All I wanted to do was sleep, and I felt like my legs would give way any second. However, I managed to drag myself after my equally irritated brother to the bathroom where we drenched our faces in cold water. After slipping on a simple jilbab, a long dress, and a headscarf, I joined the rest of my family in the bustling courtyard of the Masjid An-Nabawi, the mosque of the Prophet Muhammad. 

When I returned to the hotel room after prayer, I jumped onto the bed and let out a huge groan. But now, sleep was pointless. In a few hours we would be meeting the rest of our travel group to finalize our bus schedule. 

Originally, I had thought that the holy pilgrimage was an experience only suitable for adults. I realized that one of the main purposes of this trip was to learn to have patience, something that a stubborn and short-tempered child like myself needed. Rather than accepting a new challenge, I had completely rejected it. It finally occurred to me that most of the good things in my life were the results of enduring difficulties. There was a lot that I had to be grateful for. After all, I was only 11 and was given the opportunity to visit other cities around the world that were home to an incredible amount of Islamic history.

The Hajj wasn’t even close to being over, so I decided to make the most of the rest of my long journey. The hot sun and dust-filled air didn’t seem to faze me anymore, and I had gotten used to seeing holes in the ground when I asked about a bathroom. I returned to the United States as a new person. After realizing the importance of having patience, especially when dealing with change, I began to welcome difficult situations with open arms. A new challenge would only mold me into a better, more tolerant person. I found my patience. I had to go thousands of miles away from home, but I found it.