In this blog post, I’ll summarize what I’ve learned and my preparation process, focusing on my academic experiences and school activities during high school, examples of compassion, sharing, and collaboration, as well as my motivation for applying and my career plans.

Writing About My Academic Experiences and Reflections

Developing a Study Method Where “Knowing One Leads to Understanding Ten”
I’ve always been curious about the saying people often use to describe gifted individuals: “Seeing one thing leads to understanding ten.” I didn’t want to accept the idea that academic success was explained solely by innate talent. So, I worked hard to find a study method that allowed me to associate and expand upon one concept to understand many others, and in the process, I discovered the “association learning method.”
This method, proposed by a British linguist, involves expanding one’s memory by associating multiple meanings with a single word. For example, when looking at the word “eye,” one can think not only of the physical eye or falling snow but also of other meanings that come to mind when the word is reversed. By associating ten or more related concepts with a single word, memorization efficiency increases significantly.
I applied this method to various subjects, such as memorizing Chinese vocabulary, studying English, and memorizing math formulas. I linked multiple meanings and related expressions to a single word, and when memorizing formulas, I grouped them together with other formulas that came to mind. As a result, I was able to retain what I had memorized for a long time, and during exams, I could naturally recall and apply various formulas and theories.
What I gained from this experience went beyond simply improving my grades. I came to figure out for myself “how to remember” and “which study methods suit me best.” I also deeply realized that studying itself is not just about spending time blindly, but rather a process of finding the methods and efficiency that work best for me.

Major School Activities and Reflections

Discovering the Joy of Language Through the Chinese Club
The reason I joined the Chinese club was very simple. It all started when I won a drawing for Chinese snacks. It may sound silly, but that small incident became the starting point for my journey into the Chinese language. And what was even sweeter than the snacks themselves was the joy I felt while learning Chinese.
The reason I enjoyed studying Chinese was that it wasn’t a means to pass exams, but a tool for communicating with people. The club was a mix of Chinese friends, friends who had lived in China, and friends ranging from those fluent in Chinese to those just starting out, but we didn’t divide ourselves by skill level; instead, we communicated using whatever we had learned. Even when we couldn’t understand each other, we kept trying, accepted each other’s awkward expressions, and learned step by step. The process was so much fun that I naturally continued studying to speak more.
China’s culture, way of life, political background, and the diverse ways people live their lives each in their own way held a great appeal for me. As my interest in China—with its vast market—grew, I became increasingly captivated by both the country and the Chinese language.
Koreans, Chinese? No—we’re family!
While participating in club activities, we encountered misunderstandings caused by cultural differences on several occasions. For example, some of our Chinese friends had a rather direct way of speaking, which sometimes led to misunderstandings among those around us, and conflicts also arose due to differences in lifestyle habits, such as hygiene practices. In such situations, rather than distinguishing between Korea and China, I tried to understand each other with the mindset that “we are one family.”
As a result, we held a small festival to introduce Chinese culture. With the school’s permission, we decorated the club room and prepared a program where we shared Chinese food and watched Chinese dramas and videos of daily life together. Through the festival, we communicated with one another and experienced each other’s cultures, which greatly brought the club members closer together; that day remains a very meaningful memory for me.

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

Striving for a Better Community
Through club activities and school life, I came to truly appreciate the value of “compromise”—setting aside my personal needs for a moment. Whether standing in line, sharing workbooks, or receiving exam schedules or materials first, I often put others’ needs first. During PE class, I made an effort to reduce accidents by participating slowly rather than rushing, and in the cafeteria, I gave up my seat so that other students could use the space more comfortably.
Even when studying, I didn’t withhold information out of a competitive spirit. I shared what I knew with my peers, and if a friend didn’t understand something, I went out of my way to explain it to them. I also took on the role of writing the teacher’s announcements and important information on the blackboard so that many classmates could see them. Through this process, I experienced firsthand how cooperation and sharing enhance the learning outcomes of the entire community.
My acts of consideration did not always result in immediate recognition. Nevertheless, whenever I learned that someone had been helped by my consideration, I felt a great sense of fulfillment, and I came to believe that these small actions were worth continuing because they improve relationships and have a positive impact on the community.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

I want to learn about and make a difference in this vast market
My reason for choosing the Department of Chinese Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies is clear. I want to spend all four years thoroughly learning about and experiencing the “Chinese market” to build my expertise. Some people suggested that I major in business or international studies and then pursue a minor related to China. However, I believed that to deeply understand China, I needed to choose it as my major and study it intensively.
The Chinese market has an influence that goes beyond that of a simple consumer market. For example, I’ve seen how a single popular drama or cultural trend can create a huge ripple effect in China, leading to immediate changes across related industries. These phenomena demonstrate that China is no longer confined to its past image but is a market with immense influence and potential.
I want to grow not just into someone who can speak the language, but into an expert capable of analyzing and forecasting the Chinese market. Once I enroll at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, first, I will attend classes diligently to build a solid foundation. Second, I will actively take advantage of the exchange student program and various experiential programs to gain on-the-ground experience. Third, I will analyze the differences and characteristics of various markets—not only China but also the United States, Southeast Asia, and other countries—by comparing my experiences across them.
Based on these experiences, I aim to grow into a professional who balances practical skills with academic knowledge. My goal is to become a well-rounded professional equipped with skills and experience, capable of critical thinking, who can actively make a difference and exert influence in the Chinese market.