In this blog post, I’ll summarize my academic efforts and school activities during high school, my experiences with empathy and collaboration, and the process of preparing for my career goals.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
Until I graduated from middle school, I didn’t have much interest in studying and believed that average grades were sufficient. However, English was different. I was very interested in developing my ability to converse in English, so I naturally poured more passion into learning the language. My interest in English helped me adapt to my studies after entering high school, and that experience even shaped my attitude toward studying other subjects.
Once I became a high school student, I felt a sense of responsibility along with the goal of attending college, which made me realize I needed to study. However, rather than suddenly trying to excel in every subject, I wanted to find a way to reduce the pressure while still enjoying the process, just as I had when studying English. So, I established one principle: I set the goal of “reviewing thoroughly.” It was a choice I made to avoid feeling overwhelmed while still adhering to a self-imposed rule to gain a sense of accomplishment.
When studying English, I used to watch American TV shows, comedy sketches, and documentaries repeatedly, listening to sentences I didn’t understand over and over again. Repetitive learning helped me catch the parts I had missed, and I felt this was no different from the power of review. So, I applied the same principle to other subjects. My method was to take thorough notes on everything covered in class and then review them repeatedly, focusing on those notes.
Believing that the material covered in class would appear on exams, I invested a significant amount of time in reviewing, focusing on my textbooks and class notes. This strategy proved effective. In particular, my slow but meticulous personality made me well-suited to repetitive learning, and my grades steadily improved in proportion to my review efforts. By finding and implementing this method to enhance my learning efficiency, I was able to gain a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
Major Extracurricular Activities and Reflections
Believing that a healthy body fosters a healthy mind and concentration, I actively participated in after-school sports clubs. Among the programs offered by the school, I chose badminton. Badminton required quick reflexes to identify and exploit my opponent’s weaknesses while coordinating movements during rallies. Initially, I didn’t expect it to be as physically demanding as basketball or soccer, but it turned out to be a sport that made me sweat profusely and helped build my stamina.
Through badminton practice, I was able to quickly improve my concentration, judgment, and reflexes. Additionally, exercising regularly helped me manage my physical condition well, which in turn improved my academic efficiency. I realized that it is not just studying that is important; time spent enjoying and relaxing through leisure activities also has a positive impact on academic achievement. This experience became an opportunity for me to reflect on the cultural and physical values that people should enjoy.
The school trip to Jeju Island was a significant experience that helped me realize the value of travel. While many students view school trips as mere field trips or breaks, through this journey, I came to understand why people seek to escape their daily routines to encounter different landscapes and cultures. Thanks to our teachers, visiting Jeju’s historical sites and landmarks allowed me to witness and learn firsthand the significance of our history and culture.
The conversations I had with local residents at our destination also left a deep impression on me. Through small conversations—such as asking for recommendations on delicious food or good places to visit—I felt the joy of connecting with people and realized that this is another value of travel. My experience in Jeju taught me that travel is not merely a physical journey but a process that opens up new perspectives through history, culture, and communication with others.
Through this experience, I became interested in the importance and potential of the travel industry, and I set a goal to work in a field that goes beyond simple tourism to enhance the value of travel. This was the turning point that led me to dream of a career helping people discover their inner selves and enrich their cultural experiences through travel.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
At our school’s sports day, we traditionally hold a group jump rope competition. As an event that tests class unity, every class is highly motivated to win this event. Our class also set winning as our goal and practiced relentlessly during breaks, lunch, and PE class. However, group jump rope is an event where success depends on the perfect synchronization of the turners’ breathing, pacing, and the rhythm and timing of all participants.
In the early stages of practice, we struggled to even reach 10 jumps, leading to mutual resentment and a tense atmosphere at times. Although there were moments when conflict threatened to arise, we decided not to give up because we all shared a strong determination to avoid coming in last. As we reset our goals together with our friends, I suggested that we minimize negative reactions during practice and encourage one another instead. We promised to offer words of support and comfort rather than jeering or criticizing each other when mistakes were made.
The principle of using only positive language brought about a bigger change than we expected. As an atmosphere of mutual consideration and support took shape, the participants’ tension eased and their confidence grew. Consequently, our performance, which had previously struggled to reach even 10 jumps, gradually increased to 20 and then 30, and ultimately, our class won first place in the group jump rope competition. Through this experience, I learned that an attitude of mutual respect and encouragement is just as important as technical practice when it comes to achieving a team’s goals.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
My childhood memories of traveling abroad with my parents to various countries, including the United States and Europe, had a profound influence on my career outlook. These early overseas trips broadened my horizons and allowed me to experience diverse cultures firsthand, fostering an international mindset. This experience served as the starting point for my interest in the fields of travel and international tourism.
I believe the process of meeting people through travel and discovering myself in new environments I wouldn’t normally experience is extremely important. For this reason, I applied to the Department of International Leisure and Tourism at Sunmoon University, and I aspire to become a professional who accurately conveys the value of travel to many people and designs meaningful experiences for them. I am interested in playing a role in preserving and promoting the cultural and emotional value that travel offers.
Although I have not yet settled on a specific career path, I am interested in various directions, such as working for a social enterprise or as a consultant in the tourism sector. To this end, I plan not only to fully commit to my major courses but also to make the most of opportunities for overseas training and language study. Additionally, I intend to cultivate the skills and intuition required in the field through extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and practical experience.
I believe that learning through hands-on experience is more important than merely studying theory. I believe that experiencing the field firsthand, communicating with local people, and solving problems will foster the trust and practical skills required of a professional. By putting what I learn into practice, I will realize a true university education at Sunmoon University’s Department of International Leisure and Tourism as a student who grows through hands-on experience rather than merely intellectual knowledge.
