In this blog post, we’ll focus on “Personal Statement for an Applicant to the Korea-Japan Trade Major at Kwangwoon University: Academic Efforts, Club Experience, Consideration for Others, and Career Plans.”
Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences
While studying, I was always curious about why some of my classmates achieved significantly higher grades than others. I was curious about why there was a difference in grades even though we were in similar environments and receiving guidance from the same teachers, and I wanted to know their secret. Then, I happened to sit next to a friend who ranked first in the entire school, which gave me the opportunity to observe his study methods. While I tended to fill my time with practice tests and workbooks, that friend always carried his textbook with him and repeatedly reviewed a notebook where he had summarized concepts and basic principles. I was puzzled because I believed solving many problems was important, but he told me that practicing once a day was enough and that grasping the “principles” was the key.
The moment I heard that, it was a major revelation for me. I came to understand that solving problems is simply a means of verifying whether you know the basic principles, and that practice tests are exercises designed to check those principles. I acknowledged that I had been studying almost exclusively through problem sets up until then and decided to change my study method. I limited my work on problem sets to once a day and devoted more time to organizing concepts and principles. I began to focus more intently on class, and as I systematically organized concepts using the textbook, my grades started to improve, and I became able to solve application problems as well.
Extracurricular Activities: Experience in the Film Club and Interest in Korea-Japan Issues
The most special experience I had in high school was planning and producing a film myself through the film club. Although I had always loved movies, I used to think that making them was something only famous people could do. However, through the club, I tried my hand at planning and directing, and even took on acting roles. This allowed me to make my own decisions and experience the sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a project through to the end. Amid the stress of my academic workload, the feeling of having achieved something on my own gave me great strength.
Through my club activities, I also came to appreciate the importance of collaboration. Although the atmosphere encouraged individual creativity, it was difficult to handle everything on my own. Dividing roles—such as camera and lighting—was essential, and when we produced a medium-length film, the cooperation of my friends became even more crucial. Through the process of compromise and coordination, I realized that each person’s role comes together to create a single, complete work. This experience taught me a sense of responsibility in collaborative work and the importance of respecting others’ roles.
Furthermore, I became interested in Korea-Japan relations during the filmmaking process. While documenting an incident that occurred at school—specifically, a Japanese student who had transferred to Korea and refused to attend Korean language class—as a documentary, I explored the underlying context. As I interviewed the Japanese student, who had felt offended by the presentation, and filmed the reactions of those around him, I realized that perceptions of Korea-Japan relations were polarized, and I came to believe that we must find a middle ground.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, Cooperation, and Conflict Management
When I attempted to raise awareness of the Japanese transfer student’s difficulties through documentary production, I initially faced significant backlash. Due to the political climate at the time, the atmosphere was tense, and some classmates felt uncomfortable simply because the content dealt with Japan. I sought to convey that while acknowledging past wrongs is important, ignoring or denigrating an individual’s circumstances and thoughts could cause further harm. First, I tried to talk to those friends and persuaded them to watch the video just once.
The 15-minute documentary we aired aimed to calmly portray everyday life rather than pass judgment on who was right or wrong. We complemented the Japanese student’s introverted nature with an interview with his mother, encouraged students with misconceptions to reflect on their own views through interviews, and captured his loneliness and timidity at school on camera. After the screening, many friends were surprised; they felt sympathy for my Japanese friend’s situation and began to rethink their relationships. Through this experience, I learned that dialogue and explanation are important tools for easing conflicts and broadening mutual understanding within a community.
Motivation for Application and Academic and Career Plans After Enrollment
While the past serves as the foundation for the present, I believe we must not allow ourselves to be so bound by the past that we miss out on the future.
Although there is a painful past in Korea-Japan relations, if we remain stuck in our emotions and miss opportunities for cooperation, both countries stand to lose. I believe that maintaining hostility over historical issues should not become a stumbling block to economic, business, and diplomatic cooperation. That is why I felt there is a need for professionals who can mediate Korea-Japan relations, and I applied to the Korea-Japan Trade major at Kwangwoon University to pursue this path.
At university, I intend to study historical facts and diverse perspectives objectively, focusing on the facts rather than letting emotions cloud my judgment. I aspire to become someone who can examine a wealth of facts, analyze their interrelationships, and identify avenues for Korea-Japan cooperation. Along with acquiring specialized knowledge, I will develop my communication skills through language study and field experience. Through the process of gaining a deeper understanding of others and maturing as a person, I will grow into a professional capable of effectively managing relationships in practical settings.
