This blog post explores how to effectively express your interest in disability rights and your commitment to education within a special education academic plan.

Writing About Academic Experience and Reflections

I viewed improving grades not as ‘competition’ but as a ‘process of growing together’. This is because studying with friends and sharing each other’s achievements was far more enjoyable and meaningful than striving to raise my grades alone. Previously, I viewed improving grades as synonymous with competition. That mindset caused me significant stress and often led to results that didn’t match my efforts. So, I changed my perspective. I decided to accept that studying as a student isn’t about competing with others, but about preparing for my future dreams and acquiring the knowledge and values necessary as a member of society.
Thanks to this mindset, I came to prefer studying with like-minded friends over sitting alone at my desk. I started my own study group, gathering friends whose personalities clicked with mine. We tackled unfamiliar topics through discussion, checked each other’s study plans and goals, and encouraged one another. As a result, we all achieved better grades, and most importantly, the process of studying itself became enjoyable.
I’ve always preferred memorizing by verbally reciting what I’ve studied, and this habit really shone in the study group. Adding my own insights to my friends’ explanations helped us organize the material together. When I taught my friends parts they didn’t understand, it allowed me to review the concepts myself one more time. Finding this study style that suited me allowed me to steadily improve my grades. Viewing studying as a collaborative effort also made learning enjoyable and less burdensome. Especially since my friends also thrived with similar approaches, we achieved much greater synergy when studying together.
Through this shared study experience, I developed not only improved grades but also various skills like teamwork, empathy, and communication abilities. Explaining concepts aloud while studying naturally taught me how to articulate ideas, summarize key points effectively, and explain things in ways others could easily understand. I am confident these experiences and study methods will be invaluable in my future university life. Through this experience, I deeply realized that the process of growing and learning together is the most valuable outcome in academics.

Key School Activities and Reflections

Volunteering to Care for Seniors with Dementia

During high school, volunteer work was one of the required activities. However, I wanted to engage in meaningful and valuable service rather than simply fulfilling a quota. That’s when I learned about the ‘Volunteer Care for Seniors with Dementia’ program and, after some hesitation, decided to apply. To be honest, approaching seniors with dementia initially felt a bit daunting. I worried a lot about how to start conversations, what attitude to adopt to be polite, and how to avoid causing hurt. Then, one volunteer said to me, “They’re just people. They’re just a little less comfortable.” In that moment, I realized that my own desire to treat them as something special or pitiable might itself be a form of discrimination. After that, I treated the seniors naturally and warmly, just as I would my own grandparents. As I helped them move their uncomfortable bodies and became a companion for conversation, sharing heartfelt talks, I noticed a significant increase in the seniors recognizing me and greeting me warmly. Through this activity, I felt the true value of volunteering, and I still continue volunteering there regularly once a month. Moving forward, even as I navigate college life and my career, I aim to never forget the meaning of service, practice the value of sharing, and continue volunteering alongside more people.

Theater Club Activities

I joined the theater club in high school because I’ve always loved dramas and movies. During club activities, I took on acting roles and performed on stage at the school festival. Receiving the script, practicing, and preparing the stage while staying overnight with friends naturally fostered a spirit of cooperation. Especially when immersed in acting, seeing the world through the eyes of another character rather than my own, and empathizing with the situations in the script, I felt the excitement and fun of living a completely different life. Through this experience, I learned an attitude of trying to understand and empathize with others’ feelings rather than being trapped in my own perspective. By thinking from the other person’s standpoint during conversations, I became able to communicate based on empathy instead of just insisting on my own position. Theater activities went beyond the simple fun of decorating a stage; they instilled in me a spirit of cooperation, empathy, and communication skills. Furthermore, the experience of acting confidently on stage gave me immense self-confidence and the sense of accomplishment that comes from being able to show my passion in front of people. The thrill and overwhelming feeling of that moment still remain in my heart, and I am certain it will be a great source of strength whenever I take on new challenges in the future.

Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation and My Reflections

“The Class Fund Was Stolen”
During my first year of high school, I served as the class treasurer. As the class organized various activities, funds were often needed, and each time, students would pool their money together to form the class fund. I was entrusted with managing that money, but one day, I made a huge mistake. The class fund was stolen.
It happened on the day we went to see an exhibition. Since we needed to pay the admission fee, I put the money in an envelope and placed it inside a bag slung over my shoulder. But, without any sense of caution, I boarded the subway and chatted with friends, only to find my bag open. Someone must have seen their chance, because the money in the envelope was gone.
When I realized it had been stolen, both my friends and I were stunned for a while. As the treasurer, my mind went completely blank. It was clearly my carelessness; I should have managed the money more carefully. But I was so focused on chatting with my friends that I lost our precious class funds. A wave of responsibility and guilt hit me all at once. In the end, I told my homeroom teacher and friends the truth: I said I would take full responsibility because I lost the money due to my own mistake.
Unexpectedly, my friends comforted me first. “Don’t try to take all the blame alone. We should have all been more careful with that money; we were careless too. Let’s find a solution together.” I can’t tell you how much strength those words gave me. After that, we confirmed the exact amount lost and reviewed our remaining event plans. We decided to collect some additional funds to cover the shortfall and raise the rest by holding a flea market during the festival.
On the day of the festival, we gathered items friends brought from home to sell. We ended up making far more than the stolen amount. We covered the class fund shortfall with money to spare, and the remaining funds could be used for our next activity. Through this experience, I deeply felt the weight of the word ‘responsibility,’ the value of trust and teamwork when pooling our strength, and the importance of consideration—putting others first. Above all, I realized that honestly acknowledging and confronting any problem is the first step toward its solution.
Looking back, this experience was not merely an incident of losing money, but a precious moment where I personally felt the immense power that consideration, sharing, and cooperation can wield in my life. The warm-hearted memories from that time remain an important asset in my life today.

Motivation for Application and Career Planning Efforts

“Special Education for Practicing Humanity”
Within the field of education, I developed a deep interest in ‘special education’ and chose this path. Throughout high school, diverse experiences such as caring for elderly dementia patients and volunteering to share talents with underprivileged children solidified my values centered on practicing ‘humanity’. These experiences made me realize that the essence of education goes beyond mere knowledge transfer; it connects people and enhances the quality of life. Among these, I became convinced that special education holds the greatest potential to create a society where individuals with disabilities, often marginalized, can exercise their abilities without discrimination and have their human rights respected.
I believe that for individuals with disabilities to stand confidently in employment and human rights protection, the value of their education must be elevated above all else. It is also crucial to demonstrate to society that they possess potential and capabilities indistinguishable from those of the general population. Therefore, the significance of special education extends beyond mere academic value; it can become a powerful force for transforming social structures. To properly realize this, professional academic research and practical experience must be firmly grounded. As a student in the Department of Special Education at The Catholic University of Korea, I aim to systematically cultivate these competencies. Based on the goal of ‘practicing human love,’ I will diligently complete special education and rehabilitation-related courses, fully apply what I learn in practical settings and the field, and build my expertise.
My ultimate goal is not merely to provide education for individuals with disabilities, but to lead positive societal change by ensuring their human rights and creating stable employment opportunities. To achieve this, I will build a deep academic foundation in the Department of Special Education and cultivate practical power to transform society through diverse activities. Beyond academic achievement, I will gain direct experience and insight into diverse settings related to special education through external activities and club participation, developing both study and experience in balanced harmony. If possible, I aim to pursue graduate studies to acquire more specialized academic knowledge, then give back to society in various ways to create deeper change.
Moving forward, I will persistently continue learning and practice, growing into a smart and outstanding special education expert who contributes to creating a culture where society fully recognizes and respects the potential of people with disabilities.