In this blog post, I’ll summarize the academic experiences and school activities I gained during high school, examples of my consideration and cooperation, and the reasons why I chose Anyang University and my major.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
There was a time when a friend I studied with saw a dramatic improvement in their grades. This friend was receiving private tutoring that cost over 700,000 won a month, and they boasted that their parents had been paying close attention to their grades since around their sophomore year. To be honest, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t envious. I wanted that kind of education too, and I found myself wishing I could have a professional teacher review my study methods at least once. Moreover, as I entered my second year of high school, my grades began to drop, and I struggled to focus on my studies, which left me feeling frustrated and anxious.
However, I changed my mind. The turning point was seeing my parents’ situation. At the time, my parents had just opened a chicken restaurant and were deeply in debt. They worked late into the night and often didn’t fall asleep until dawn. Seeing them like that, I resolved that, as the eldest son, I had to steel my resolve. Instead of hoping for the impossible, I decided to make the most of the resources I had to study.
Specifically, I actively sought out and utilized free lectures. I set specific timeframes to visit various places—such as institutions selling workbooks and free essay, math, and English lectures run by district and city offices—and mastered the materials they provided. I also built strong relationships with my school teachers and frequently sought their advice on study methods and college admissions. I hesitated at first, worried I might be a burden to them, but whenever I went to see them, they welcomed me warmly.
I also made the most of class time. I tried to absorb as much as possible from the lessons by giving presentations and asking questions, and I formed study groups with friends to study together. As I changed my approach and put in consistent effort, I could feel my grades gradually improving. Ultimately, I learned the lesson that it is entirely possible to achieve results by effectively utilizing available resources, even without expensive external investments.
Description of Major School Activities and Reflections
Originally, I was a student who had never been abroad and had almost no interest in foreign countries. While many students dream of traveling abroad once they enter college, I was aware of my family’s financial difficulties and only wanted to earn money quickly to fulfill my role as the eldest son. What sparked my interest in foreign countries and international issues was my participation in a mentoring program for international students.
Our university collaborated with international schools and the Multicultural Support Center to organize various exchange activities. I happened to join “ChinChin” (Close Friends), a mentoring program for international students organized by the school, and took on the role of helping students who had just arrived in Korea settle in while fostering mutual cultural understanding. Through activities like introducing Korean culture, teaching the language, and spending time together, our exchange began naturally.
Since the first friend I met was from Turkey—not Japan or China—the language and culture were completely different, which made things feel quite awkward at first. However, as I slowly opened up, taught him Korean and about Korean culture, and invited him to my home to treat him to a meal, he became eager to learn, and I was truly impressed by his attitude. Seeing his open-mindedness, I began to gradually learn about Turkish culture myself, studying why Turkish people like Korea, as well as their dietary habits and religion.
Through my mentoring activities, foreign countries ceased to be vague, distant entities and became something close to me, and I naturally began reading the international section of the newspaper. The process of sharing my concerns directly with foreign friends sparked my curiosity and interest in global affairs, and I even formed a study group to discuss and explore various social issues together.
Through this activity, I learned that young people in other countries think very seriously about their own nations and the issues they face. I also took a step back from Korean society’s appearance-oriented culture and consumerist tendencies, developing an attitude that allows me to view the world with a broader perspective. These experiences encouraged me to think about the world from a wider perspective and strengthened my motivation to study international issues.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
The area where I put the most effort into consideration, cooperation, and conflict management was “knowledge.” As I was surrounded by friends from multicultural families and international students, I realized that to help them and engage in activities together, I needed to understand their languages and cultures. So, whenever I met with friends, I prepared by memorizing 30 basic phrases commonly used in their language groups. For example, I focused on learning everyday expressions such as “Hello,” “Thank you,” “Have you eaten yet?” “Are you hungry?” and “What do you need?”
In this way, I learned basic expressions in various languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mongolian, French, and Turkish, and through this, I made an effort to communicate directly, not just in Korean. Once we could communicate, trust was built, and my friends opened up more easily. I truly felt how even a simple expression could soften our relationship.
Learning about culture was just as important as learning the language, because cultural differences can easily lead to misunderstandings. For example, my Turkish friends had a custom of playfully bumping heads as a greeting, but in Korea, such behavior between men could be perceived as uncomfortable. Conversely, my Japanese friends were very shy, so it was considered polite to make an appointment before visiting. I studied the cultures of each country through the internet and conversations, and tried to adapt my behavior accordingly.
As a result, I was able to quickly become close with a diverse group of friends, and when conflicts arose, I could smoothly mediate them with an understanding of the cultural context. Through these experiences, I developed the belief that “knowledge is the key to anything,” and I learned the important lesson that an attitude and practice of trying to understand others naturally lead to consideration and cooperation.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
I chose Anyang University and the Department of International Relations because I felt that the direction the university and the department are pursuing aligns with my own goals. I remember reading an article in my first year of high school stating that it had been three years since the Department of International Relations was established at Anyang University. The article mentioned that the department was designed to cultivate global leaders and that active support had been promised at both the university and local levels. Upon revisiting that article, I became convinced that the Department of International Relations at Anyang University was exactly where I belonged.
In my view, Anyang University is an institution that chooses new paths. While many universities tend to focus on popular departments based on employment rates or stability, Anyang University has demonstrated a willingness to actively embrace disciplines with different perspectives, such as the Department of International Relations. In that regard, I concluded that this university has a strong commitment to nurturing a diverse range of talent, and I felt that I wanted to grow into an independent and enterprising professional there.
I understand the Department of International Relations not merely as a place to learn theory, but as a program that cultivates professionals equipped with practical skills to mediate and resolve international conflicts. The curriculum I found on the department’s website sparked my curiosity, and there were many courses I was eager to take. After enrollment, I intend to grow into a practical professional not only by diligently participating in classes but also by seizing various opportunities for overseas experience to observe and learn firsthand.
Today’s world is becoming increasingly interconnected, with markets and societies converging. In such an era, I believe there is a need for professionals capable of understanding and mediating international conflicts. I aim to build concrete knowledge at Anyang University to grow as a professional and, using the competencies gained through this process, become someone who can make a meaningful contribution on the international stage.
