In this blog post, I’ll summarize my academic experiences and school activities during high school, examples of consideration and cooperation, and my career preparation process.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

Since I’ve had trouble concentrating since I was young, I realized that improving my grades required a high level of focus. When I lacked focus, I easily wasted time, and I often missed key points during class, which prevented me from learning effectively. So, in addition to studying, I decided to look for ways to improve my concentration.
Among the methods I tried, meditation and reading proved to be the most effective. I would wake up early in the morning to meditate, practicing letting go of anxiety and distracting thoughts. It wasn’t easy at first, but my determination to “study” kept me practicing concentration consistently, and I gradually became able to focus on meditation for longer periods.
Reading was a training exercise that truly helped me build my concentration. I started with easy-to-read texts like novels and essays, filling an hour of my day with reading. Due to my weak concentration, it was difficult to read for more than 10 minutes at first, but once I chose interesting material, I was able to focus for one or two hours at a time. Focusing on literature also improved my reading comprehension and understanding.
As a result, even though the actual time I invested in studying remained the same, my efficiency improved significantly. In the past, even after studying for 10 hours, I could only achieve the results of 5 hours due to a lack of concentration; however, after improving my concentration, I was able to achieve results equivalent to my previous 10 hours of study with just 5 hours of effort. This enhanced concentration has been consistently maintained to this day, giving me confidence in my future studies.

Major School Activities and Reflections

Joining the school’s Chinese drama club sparked my genuine interest in the language and culture. At first, the idea of performing a play in Chinese felt unfamiliar and daunting, so I hesitated, but I decided to join at a friend’s suggestion. The club included not only students who were fluent in Chinese but also many like me who were learning from scratch, which made me feel less pressured.
During my freshman year, I laid the groundwork for the play by learning basic conversation. I had originally known only a few words, but as I learned conversation, pronunciation, and reading with my friends, I began to find Chinese enjoyable. As my interest in the language grew, I naturally became interested in Chinese culture and related news, and my curiosity about the global economy and markets also deepened.
The broader interests sparked by the language led me to explore even more diverse cultures. I made an effort to learn the basics of other languages, such as Japanese, in addition to Chinese, and participated in language exchange programs organized by the school. In particular, the exchange with the Japanese team I was assigned to was a great learning experience.
My friend from Japan had a keen interest in K-POP and Korean culture and was even more up-to-date on trends than I was. We shared our cultures, daily lives, and values with each other, striving to understand the differences between Korea and Japan. Through this experience, I realized that studying global markets requires not only textbook knowledge but also hands-on experience and direct engagement.
Through the Chinese play and the language exchange program, I experienced firsthand that language is the foundation of cultural understanding, and I solidified my resolve to study diverse cultures professionally on a broader stage.

Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections

Through the school’s language exchange program, I communicated via email and met in person with many international friends, and I learned that sincerity does not change depending on cultural background. At first, I worried that cultural differences and language barriers would make conversation difficult and lead to misunderstandings, but through my direct experience, I found that a sincere attitude and consideration were the most important factors in building relationships.
In fact, there was an instance where a cultural misunderstanding arose during an email exchange. When a conflict arose due to differing perceptions of etiquette, I tried my best to explain the background of our culture to the other person. However, I realized that an attitude of trying to impose my perspective could actually exacerbate the problem. Since culture is something we internalize from birth, I learned that rather than trying to change the other person’s values, the first step is to make an effort to empathize and understand.
Whenever misunderstandings arose, I made a conscious effort to communicate proactively and resolve them. I would meet in person to explain things through facial expressions and body language, and in emails, I would correct any phrasing that might be open to misinterpretation. Through this process, I learned that the most important aspects of conflict management and collaboration are sincerity and empathy toward others.
These experiences laid the foundation for developing a global mindset and gave me the confidence that they will be helpful in future situations where I need to collaborate with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Efforts and Preparation Related to My Motivation for Applying and Career Plans

My involvement in Chinese theater and language exchange experiences were the catalyst for my decision to pursue a career in global business. I developed a passion for understanding cultures through language and, based on that understanding, analyzing trends in the global market. This interest motivated my choice of major and led to my determination to build expertise on a broader stage.
Specifically, I am making a concerted effort to cultivate cultural sensitivity while continuing my language studies. The language learning that began with Chinese theater, along with improving my reading comprehension through reading, has helped me build the foundational skills necessary for my major. Additionally, participating in on-campus language exchange programs has provided me with hands-on experience in engaging with and communicating about foreign cultures.
If I am accepted into the Department of Global Business, I plan not only to diligently complete my major coursework but also to actively seek out and participate in opportunities to experience the world firsthand, such as exchange student programs and international exchange activities. Along with this, I aim to continue developing my language skills and cultural understanding to acquire the practical competencies needed to succeed in the global marketplace.