In this blog post, I will outline my personal statement, focusing on my academic efforts and learning experiences during high school, meaningful participation in school activities, examples of practicing consideration and generosity, as well as my motivation for applying and my academic plans.

Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences During High School

I enjoyed studying history, so I always sat in the front row during Korean history class and listened attentively. I was particularly interested in the late Joseon period under King Gojong, the Japanese colonial period, and modern and contemporary history, and I felt anger toward the history of our nation being stripped of its sovereignty and exploited by foreign powers. The more I learned about history, the more clearly I saw the tragedies our people had endured. As I delved into even little-known historical anecdotes, I began to ask myself, “Why has our nation had to endure constant hardship due to plunder and invasion?”
While I felt deep sorrow over these historical tragedies, seeing that my friends showed little interest in the subject led me to believe that everyone must take an interest in history in order to better understand our lives. So, for my Korean history class, I conducted an inquiry project titled “Understanding the History We Didn’t Know” to spark my friends’ interest. I selected intriguing topics—such as common misconceptions about Empress Myeongseong and the date coffee was first introduced to Korea—and personally searched for and excerpted relevant books. Whenever I had questions, I asked my teacher or conducted further research by consulting academic papers.
I organized what I had learned into a history scrapbook, which went on to win first place in the self-directed learning competition held during my third year. Although it began as a simple curiosity, as I found greater enjoyment in studying, I developed the goal of spreading interest in our history. I came to believe that history is both a source of national pride and a responsibility, and my appreciation for history grew even stronger.

School Activities: History Club Role-Playing, Field Trips, and Overseas Travel Plans

In my second year, I joined the history club “HERO” and participated in role-playing activities. These involved acting out historical events in front of my friends; at first, I hesitated because I was shy about performing in front of others. However, since it was an activity related to history—which I love—and involved working with my clubmates, I mustered the courage to participate. Our group based our role-play on an anecdote about Admiral Yi Sun-sin from before he engaged in battle, as depicted in the historical drama ‘The Immortal Yi Sun-sin’.
We transcribed the ‘Nanjung Ilgi’ (War Diary) by hand to use as a script and received high praise for our detailed portrayal of Admiral Yi Sun-sin standing firm against the Japanese pirate invasions. After the skit, we summarized and presented the crisis facing the Joseon Dynasty, the historical context of the era, and General Yi Sun-sin’s achievements, which allowed us to deepen our understanding of history. The historical knowledge we gained through this performance felt more vivid and engaging than the text in a textbook.
Together with my club members, we visited the Korean Folk Village and the Independence Hall of Korea to explore living history, and we reflected on how the history of the past connects to current political and social situations. Observing the current international landscape—including the denuclearization debate with North Korea and diplomatic conflicts among major powers—I felt a sense of regret that it is not significantly different from the past, and I resolved that my role is to help people understand the importance of history.
Additionally, driven by my interest in world history, I participated in an “Overseas Travel Planning” activity with friends, where we designed history-focused travel itineraries. While planning an itinerary that included historically significant sites—such as the Vatican, Turkey (where traces of the Ottoman Empire remain), and the Palace of Versailles in France—I set a goal to see and learn about history firsthand through a trip to Europe during my college years.

Examples of Practicing Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation: Regular Volunteer Work at a Senior Care Facility

I volunteered once a week at a senior care facility near my school.

At first, I was reserved and shy, making it difficult to bond with the elderly residents, but I changed my attitude by approaching them not as a volunteer but as if I were their grandchild. When I brought homemade rice cake and shared it with them, the residents smiled and rejoiced like children, and seeing their joy gave me a great sense of fulfillment.
During every holiday, I proposed a “songpyeon-making” program for residents without families, prepared the ingredients, and made songpyeon together at the nursing home. Although the shapes varied, we grew closer through the process of making them together, and it felt less like volunteering and more like an activity of sharing our hearts. I continued to visit regularly to care for the elderly who were living in loneliness, and it made me realize that I should pay closer attention to my neighbors in my daily life as well.
Through this experience, I learned that sharing doesn’t have to be grand—it begins with small acts of kindness—and my volunteer work at the nursing home led me to participate in a wider variety of volunteer activities. It was a pivotal moment that allowed me to personally feel the need to care for those in need within our society.

Career Goals, Motivation for Application, and Academic Plan

I aspire to become a researcher specializing in local history. I’ve noticed that many people lack interest in the history of their hometowns or regions, and I believe that a sense of pride in one’s hometown and community stems from understanding its history. Local history research—which involves meticulous study of regional legends, folktales, historical sites, and their origins—plays a vital role in our society, and I feel there is still a shortage of professionals specializing in the unique histories of specific regions.
After enrolling in the Department of History at Kongju National University, I plan to build a foundation of general historical knowledge and join a history research club to conduct in-depth studies. During my undergraduate studies, I plan to conduct parallel research into historical sources and field surveys of specific regions to build the foundational skills necessary for local history research. I then intend to pursue a master’s degree to delve deeper into my specialized field. Ultimately, I aim to survey every corner of South Chungcheong Province to uncover and highlight hidden historical sites and cultural assets, thereby helping local residents develop a deeper appreciation for their hometown’s history.