In this blog post, I will naturally organize and present my reasons for choosing Korean medicine as my major, my motivation for pursuing this field, my academic plans and goals, my post-graduation plans, and a self-introduction.
Motivation for Pursuing This Field
Since childhood, my playground has been the herbal pharmacy. Thanks to my father running a Korean herbal pharmacy, I grew up surrounded by the scents of licorice and mugwort. The fact that even the most common-looking grasses and leaves could be transformed into medicine capable of healing people simply by passing through my father’s hands was the source of my curiosity.
Even acupuncture, which other children feared, was something I had grown up seeing since childhood, so it felt so familiar and natural to me that I never imagined I would pursue any other career. Furthermore, my father served as the president of the Korean Medicine Association and has always been a role model in my life. At my father’s suggestion, I once participated in the “Huh Jun Camp,” a traditional Korean medicine experience camp hosted by the Huh Jun Museum. It was an engaging camp where mentors from the field of Korean medicine led programs, such as teaching children—who were accustomed to fast food and disliked vegetarian meals—about foods that serve as medicine.
In particular, witnessing illnesses that could not be cured by Western medicine being treated through Korean medicine instilled in me a deep sense of awe for the field. Although my experience was indirect, gained through my father, I believe being a Korean medicine doctor is a deeply rewarding profession. I am entering this field because I have an interest in Korean medicine, find fulfillment in it, and possess a strong desire for professional achievement.
Academic Plan and Goals
First, I will devote myself to my studies with an interest in various medical fields—including Eastern medicine and alternative medicine—to keep pace with the changing trends in Western medicine. I will focus on building a broad foundation of knowledge in related disciplines, including Eastern philosophy, as well as laying the groundwork for my major studies in Korean medicine.
Believing that proficiency in foreign languages such as Chinese and English is essential to adapt to the rapidly changing healthcare market, I will not neglect my language studies during my undergraduate years. During school breaks, I plan to take advantage of my free time to visit China and build relationships with students at Peking University’s School of Western Medicine. I believe that helping those in need makes me feel I have done good, allowing me to live a happier life, so I will gladly engage in volunteer work and charitable giving. To become a competent Korean medicine doctor with a spirit of service and a sense of mission, I will strictly adhere to the plans I have outlined before enrollment.
Post-Graduation Plans
After graduation, I aspire to become a Korean medicine doctor specializing in obesity management. When I was a freshman in high school, I suddenly gained 10 kg and struggled with it, but I was able to return to my original weight through a regimen of herbal medicine and exercise. Knowing firsthand how difficult the battle against weight loss can be, I want to become a Korean medicine doctor to help those struggling with obesity.
I also have plans for overseas medical volunteer work. It is said that even in underdeveloped countries, despite receiving relief supplies and expensive medical equipment, people cannot receive proper medical care due to a severe shortage of medical personnel. Even now, in Iraq, people are taking vitamin supplements thinking they are diarrhea medicine and using diarrhea medicine as digestive aids, failing to use relief supplies correctly. I believe the touch of medical professionals is desperately needed in such places. After graduating and practicing as a Korean medicine doctor, I wish to engage in medical activities in underdeveloped countries.
Self-Introduction
When the moment of decision arrives, I strive to adhere to the principle of thinking deeply but briefly; once I’ve made a decision in my heart, I firmly push forward with positive thoughts to achieve good results. I believe that maintaining a positive mindset is closely linked to self-confidence. People cannot always encounter only good things, and while studying, one often faces unexpected challenges. I believe that without a positive mindset in everyday life, it is difficult to cope with such situations in the moment, so I read many books that help me maintain a positive outlook.
In middle school, I was once discouraged because my grades didn’t reflect the effort I put into studying. So, for the next exam, I decided to break down my goals into specific steps and record them in a small notebook. For example, if my math score was low, I’d set a goal to improve by a certain number of points within a specific timeframe. I’d create a notebook of wrong answers, focus on studying the types of problems I frequently got wrong, and then take a full practice exam on my own.
I experienced how confidence grew as I set big and small goals—ones I could achieve within a month, a day, or even an hour—and put them into practice to make my dreams come true. After realizing that these efforts foster positive thinking, I now make systematic plans for everything and look forward to the power of positivity.
