Personal Reflections on Life, Service, and Society
Why I Chose to Be a Sergeant
The first time I considered joining the Army, I was 17 years old. It was 2004, and I went to the recruitment center located on Fray Luis Street. I decided to become a Sergeant for different reasons that I will try to explain.
Firstly, I wanted to be a Sergeant because I loved the idea of contributing to creating an environment of good judgment, positivity, team building, and positive interactions among personnel and our future soldiers.
Secondly, I believe I have demonstrated my capacity for leadership as I accept responsibilities and adapt to an organization and a world in constant change.
Finally, thirteen years ago, I joined the Army because I wanted to show my appreciation for our great nation. Today, I would like the opportunity to do something even bigger.
To sum up, I love serving my country, our country, but now I feel I am leading from the front, something I strive to do.
Does Gender Inequality Still Exist? Why?
Despite the great changes in the last two centuries, I am afraid that there is still inequality between men and women. In this essay, I will try to address some of the points that I consider most important.
Firstly, I have to say that, fortunately, the differences between genders in many fields are not as great as they used to be. Recent studies by Socialite Magazine have revealed that these inequalities have been reduced by 40% in the last 10 years. However, despite many governments trying to reduce these differences, in some countries, inequality is reflected in different aspects, such as:
- Wages
- The burden of domestic work
- Childcare responsibilities
Secondly, in other countries, gender differences are even greater, such as the lack of access to education for women or the absence of women in political roles.
To sum up, I think that, hopefully, this will change in the future, and we will no longer need to discuss this issue.
Simple Ways to Protect the Environment
Problems such as global warming make us worry about how we care for the environment. In this essay, I will try to analyze this problem and suggest solutions.
Firstly, we can contribute to improving the environment through simple daily actions:
- Saving water: Take showers instead of baths, turn off the tap when brushing teeth, etc.
Secondly, there are also things we can do to save electricity:
- Turn off lights when leaving a room.
- Use energy-saving light bulbs and appliances.
Thirdly, in our city, there are recycling bins that we must use:
- Recycle waste paper, glass, and plastic.
Finally, other essential actions include:
- Keeping parks clean.
- Using public transportation to reduce pollution.
Vida y Salud Magazine has published that by attending to these small things alone, we can contribute to a 40% reduction in pollution.
To sum up, protecting the environment is a task in which we should all be involved.
Countryside vs. City Living: Pros and Cons
Nowadays, many people prefer living in cities to living in the countryside because they think large cities offer many advantages and opportunities for a better life. In my opinion, living in the quiet countryside is better for several reasons:
- Closer to Nature: Living in the countryside helps you be closer to nature, which is obviously very good for your health. Houses in the countryside are often surrounded by trees and flowers, open to nature, where you can breathe fresh air and enjoy a quiet life.
- Lower Cost of Living: The cost of living in the countryside is generally lower than in cities. People in the country can sometimes produce their own food, such as vegetables, fruits, fish, or meat.
- Slower Pace of Life: Life in the countryside is often perceived as easier than in the city. Time seems to pass more slowly, which can eliminate the great tension experienced by city dwellers, who tend always to be in a hurry.
To sum up, there are always two sides to a coin. Living in the countryside or living in large cities has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice depends on what you prefer.
Is Studying English Abroad Worth the Expense?
To get started, it is important to understand that learning English is of the utmost importance for people in Spain. Education experts say that the demand for a high level of English is only going to increase, so we all need to find the best way to learn this language.
Firstly, we need to look at the cost of learning a language. We study English at school from the age of 3, but the level of classes and teaching is generally quite poor. Consequently, our parents invest a lot of money in private language schools to help us pass our exams. This is a costly process, but we need to think: is it the quickest way to learn? Wouldn’t it be better to go to an English-speaking country?
Going abroad to study is a fantastic experience, and we generally make much more progress than if we stayed in our own country, but it is extremely expensive. Not everyone can afford it, and many need to try to get grants to be able to go. The advantages are obvious because we are surrounded by the language and forced to use it in real-life situations. However, it is important to find people to practice with who are willing to be patient and help us.
To summarize, going abroad to study is a fantastic opportunity, but it is important to have a good teacher and be focused on learning, or you could waste your time and a lot of money.
Video Games vs. Real Sports: Health and Skills
Nowadays, video games are very popular, and many teenagers play them. I think playing video games is really fun, but playing real sports is better for several reasons.
First of all, we can’t become professional athletes if we only play a sport in a video game because we can’t learn it completely or correctly that way. In my opinion, video games can be addictive and stop us from doing activities that are more important than winning a game.
In addition, having face-to-face interaction with our friends is better for our well-being because we need to improve our social skills by meeting our friends and speaking to them.
To sum up, I believe that video games can be useful and enjoyable if we use them moderately. They can be a fun way of doing exercises, especially when you can’t go and play outside. However, playing sports outside is generally better for our health.
