This blog post explores how to seamlessly link your International Studies major plan with the future goal of becoming a diplomat. It provides specific strategies to enhance persuasiveness by organically structuring your reasons for choosing the major, global experiences, and plans for entering international organizations.
Reasons for Pursuing This Major
Since childhood, I have loved English and been fascinated by other cultures, which led me to dream of becoming a diplomat. However, during my first year of high school, I joined the traditional percussion club. While preparing for a fusion traditional music performance at year’s end, I realized how incredibly captivating Korean culture is. This experience sparked the desire to share our beautiful culture with friends abroad. After considering departments that would provide a well-rounded foundation in international awareness, language skills, practical abilities, and a global perspective, I ultimately decided on the International Studies Department.
Furthermore, the fact that all courses in your university’s International Studies Department are conducted entirely through English discussions was another key factor in my choice. I believe that by studying, writing reports, and taking exams in English from my first year onward, I will learn practical English for real communication, moving beyond mere language proficiency scores. While no one graduates with 100% perfection in language, I firmly believe your International Studies program offers the best conditions for developing English skills among undergraduate programs in Korea today. This is why I applied without hesitation.
Academic Plan and Goals
Upon enrolling at your university, I will first channel my passion for English into prioritizing foreign language study. I understand your curriculum includes an overseas field study program. I plan to participate in this program whenever possible to directly experience and study the language and global trends firsthand.
Beyond my major studies, I will actively participate in events hosted by international organizations and institutions to meet people from diverse cultural backgrounds. I want to immerse myself in international exchange forums, encountering various languages, cultures, and ways of thinking, and experience political, economic, social, and cultural phenomena vividly firsthand. I also plan to utilize vacations for overseas volunteer activities with organizations like the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity to practice sharing, while also traveling extensively to broaden my horizons and cultivate an open mind.
I will join a current affairs discussion group to develop the ability to consider international issues from diverse perspectives. I will also read relevant books and magazines regularly to build a solid foundation of knowledge on international affairs, including current issues, politics, diplomacy, international relations, the UN, and the global economy.
Post-Graduation Plans
After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a graduate degree at an international university, specializing in diplomacy and security. Since I dream of working for an international organization, I will prepare extensively to qualify for such positions. Passing the JPO exam hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade allows one to work at an international organization for two years under national sponsorship, so I will dedicate myself fully to studying for this exam.
I dream of working at the WFP, a UN agency that supports the economic and social development of developing countries through food aid and emergency relief activities. At WFP, I want to find professional fulfillment by doing meaningful work for people struggling with hunger and poverty. One person alone cannot make the world beautiful. A world built together through sharing—that is the true image of the international community. I now intend to pursue my dream with passion and determination.
Self-Introduction (Life Philosophy, Values)
“Prepare as if you will live a thousand years, but act as if you will die tomorrow.” This has always been my guiding motto.
During high school, while preparing for the academic festival, final exams and the festival overlapped, leaving me unable to focus properly on either. However, when faced with hardship, I never faltered or retreated. Instead, I calmly confronted the reality of the situation, boldly challenged it, and gave my all to find the best solution. Ultimately, the academic festival concluded successfully, and this experience remains a precious lesson confirming the validity of my approach.
It’s not as easy as it sounds, but I strive to live with the mindset of never regretting my choices. I know that regret over not giving my best effort grows heavier over time, far more than any regret that might come after giving my all. That’s why I want to give my utmost whenever opportunity arises, striving to avoid regret. Because if I don’t give my all today, no matter what success I achieve, I will inevitably regret it later. No matter what anyone said, if I felt regret, I didn’t hesitate to start over from the beginning. If I was satisfied, I stopped there and sought something else. Later, I will ask myself again: Have I truly walked a path without regret? Have I become someone who always gives their best and satisfies themselves to avoid regret?
