In this blog post, I’ll summarize what I learned from my academic experiences and school activities during high school—including examples of compassion and collaboration—as well as my career plans after entering college.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
In high school, I chose Ethics and Philosophy and Life and Ethics as my social studies courses. Since I selected these subjects with the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) in mind, I studied strategically to achieve good grades in both. I believed that learning simply to understand the subject matter differs in purpose and method from studying strategically to improve test scores. Therefore, to make my study of Life and Ethics as efficient as possible, I applied two learning methods. One was to identify connections with EBS materials to predict potential exam questions, and the other was to organize concepts using sketch notes.
Both methods were applications I learned from the online lectures I regularly took. During the lectures, the instructors always emphasized the importance of reading the EBS textbooks, and in fact, there was a high degree of overlap between EBS and the CSAT. I focused on thoroughly reading and analyzing the “Advanced Materials” section in the CSAT Special Lecture and CSAT Completion textbooks, striving to accurately understand the relevant discussions. For example, I carefully read and highlighted advanced passages—such as those discussing the pros and cons of abortion—to track my progress and deepen my understanding.
The second method was note-taking using sketch notes. A sketch notebook is a notebook with blank, unlined pages. Instead of mind-map-style note-taking, I chose to use this to organize my notes in a freer and more visual way. I drew pictures on the pages and wrote key terms in large, eye-catching letters. For long explanations, I either summarized them briefly or attached photos, mixing in visual elements. This method suited my study style well, and it also increased my concentration during review, significantly improving my learning efficiency.
Major Extracurricular Activities and Reflections
During high school, I was active in the Green Doctors volunteer group, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and has branches nationwide. Green Doctors was a club dedicated to practicing humanitarianism by allowing students to experience medical volunteer work and even participate in international disaster and emergency relief activities. I remember taking an oath at the launch ceremony and pledging to faithfully fulfill the duties assigned to me as a volunteer. For me, as someone aspiring to become a medical social worker, the experience of participating in international medical volunteer work was deeply rewarding in itself.
Club activities were broadly divided into domestic and international efforts. Domestically, I received training in medical volunteering and regularly volunteered at hospitals, where I was able to directly observe the diverse needs of patients. For international activities, I was dispatched to countries such as China, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Mongolia to participate in emergency relief, international medical care, and emotional support. Despite the limitations of being a teenager, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment from gaining experiences that were of great help to the local communities.
For our domestic activities, we received training in CPR and first aid. Through repeated practice on human manikins, we mastered the sequence and intensity of rescue breathing and chest compressions, gaining the confidence to perform these procedures calmly in emergency situations. We also visited an international medical center to learn about different types of medications, medical tools, and the characteristics of medical equipment, acquiring the practical knowledge essential before participating in overseas or hospital volunteer work. By familiarizing myself with various aspects, including the management of tools and supplies needed for disinfection and X-ray procedures, I was able to adapt well to the actual volunteer work.
My regular hospital volunteer work took place at a general hospital near the school. Although the activities were relatively simple, such as keeping patients company and giving them hand and foot massages, I always paid close attention to hygiene and kindness. I strictly adhered to the basics, such as wearing a hygiene vest, following disinfection procedures, and washing my hands thoroughly for the next patient. During conversation sessions, I asked patients about their hometowns, areas of pain, current moods, and satisfaction with hospital services to help provide emotional support. Through these experiences, I was able to confirm my aptitude for a career as a medical social worker.
Examples of Compassion, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections
During my vacation, I participated in an overseas medical volunteer program. Through programs offered by the volunteer group, I gained experience each semester and participated in a total of three overseas volunteer trips. As a result, I was able to visit various medical facilities in Myanmar, Mongolia, and Thailand and meet patients of diverse nationalities. My overseas volunteer experience was an opportunity to develop multicultural understanding and collaborative skills, going beyond mere participation in volunteer work.
Since it is difficult for teenagers to handle all tasks directly on-site, I had to undergo pre-departure training and a short internship period. First, I volunteered as an interpreter at a free clinic for foreigners in Seoul, where I learned basic conversation and common questions. I practiced dialogue scripts with a friend to prepare for real-world situations. When I actually met foreign patients, I found that simple words, sentences, and even gestures were sufficient for communication—more so than fluent speech—and I was able to adapt gradually.
Building on my experience as an interpreter, I was deployed to overseas sites, and my activities in Thailand and Myanmar are particularly memorable. There were many child patients in both countries, making our support all the more necessary. In Thailand, I participated alongside students from multicultural families, which gave us the opportunity to bond and understand our differences. My duties primarily involved organizing medications, managing supplies, cleaning the clinic, and maintaining hygiene. I also provided simple interpretation for patients waiting in the waiting room or simply kept them company to help ease their anxiety.
When caring for child patients, I paid close attention to ensure they didn’t cry or wander off, providing basic care and comfort. Through these activities, I personally realized the importance of medical volunteering and welfare work, and I learned the true meaning of compassion, sharing, and cooperation through hands-on experience. What impressed me most was the fact that even a brief visit or conversation could be a great source of comfort to patients and their families.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans
My dream is to become a medical social worker. I have noticed that public awareness of the social work field is still relatively limited, and I would like to work in the field of medical social work to help raise awareness of the diverse areas of social work. Medical social workers are professionals who assist with patient treatment and recovery within hospitals; they work as part of a team with doctors and nurses to contribute to the overall health and well-being of patients. I believe this line of work suits my aptitude well.
Once I enter college, I plan to devote myself fully to my major studies. In addition to taking courses related to child welfare, elderly welfare, and medical welfare, I want to engage in in-depth study and discussions with my peers on topics such as “What does social work mean to me?” and “Why is it necessary for medical social workers to be present in hospitals?” Furthermore, I intend to research and discuss the current state and areas for improvement of South Korea’s medical welfare system (e.g., the national health insurance system, the separation of prescribing and dispensing) and conduct research using statistical data and surveys.
I also plan to begin preparing for professional certifications during my undergraduate studies. With the goal of obtaining a Level 1 Social Worker license, I will complete the required courses during my undergraduate program. After graduation, I will gain practical experience through a clinical internship at a hospital and then take the Medical Social Worker certification exam. Once certified, I hope to work as a social worker at a large hospital, supporting critically ill patients and their families while improving their environment. Through this work, I aim to contribute to enhancing the professionalism and public perception of the medical social work field.
