This blog post introduces how to convey authenticity and expertise in your social work major statement of purpose based on medical and overseas volunteer experiences.
Writing about Academic Experience and Reflections
Learning Experience in Life and Ethics Using EBS and Sketch Notes
During high school, I chose ‘Ethics and Thought’ and ‘Life and Ethics’ as my social studies elective subjects. Since grades in elective subjects were a crucial factor in preparing for the CSAT, I felt strategic learning was necessary to improve my scores, going beyond simply understanding the content. I believe learning for academic understanding and learning to boost test scores are fundamentally different in approach and purpose. Therefore, to achieve more effective and practical learning outcomes in Life and Ethics, I focused on two key methods. One was a problem-solving approach considering the connection with EBS, and the other was a concept-organizing study method using sketch notes.
Both of these learning methods were applied based on what I learned from the EBS online lectures I regularly took. Listening to EBS lectures, one common point instructors consistently emphasize is that “EBS textbooks must be thoroughly studied.” Indeed, EBS workbooks and concept books have a high degree of linkage with the CSAT, so I focused intensively on analyzing and studying the ‘CSAT Special Lecture’ and ‘CSAT Completion’ textbooks. These textbooks notably feature a separate section called ‘Advanced Materials,’ which delves into deeper discussions centered around current affairs topics. For instance, they addressed ethical issues connected to real life, such as ‘Problems with the Pro-Choice Position on Abortion.’ I meticulously read these advanced materials, striving to grasp key concepts and debates. Whenever I studied a topic, I made annotations and checked my progress along the way, allowing me to grasp the flow of my learning independently. This enabled me to develop not just rote memorization, but a perspective on problems and critical thinking skills.
The second learning method I utilized was concept organization using sketch notes. Sketch notes are typically large, generously-margined drawing paper-style notebooks used by art majors. While online lectures often recommend mind-map style note-taking, I found a more intuitive and freeform approach better suited to my learning style. I spread out my sketch notebook and used it like a canvas, emphasizing key concepts with large, bold elements. I incorporated related drawings, diagrams, and sometimes even photos, maximizing visual elements. I would elaborate on certain explanations at length, and for concepts I found difficult to grasp, I would reorganize them according to my own understanding. Through this process, I expanded my own thought structure. This approach didn’t just stop at viewing; it also made reviewing later both enjoyable and efficient for recalling the learning content.
In this way, I used EBS and sketch notes to study Life and Ethics more strategically and meaningfully. Because I made an effort not just to study for the exam, but to deeply understand and internalize the academic content, I was able to achieve good results on the CSAT exam while simultaneously cultivating ethical thinking and current affairs understanding. Looking back, these two learning methods went beyond mere study techniques; they became a crucial foundation for developing my own learning philosophy and style. Even now, I maintain the habit of structuring and visualizing any problem based on that experience, and I believe it will remain a significant asset in my future studies and life.
Writing about major school activities and reflections
Our school hosted the ‘Green Doctors Youth Volunteer Corps,’ affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Green Doctors is a nationwide medical volunteer experience organization, designed to allow students to practice volunteering early on and broaden their understanding of healthcare and welfare. Our club, in particular, operated with the distinct goal of practicing humanity by voluntarily participating in international disaster and emergency relief activities. I recall when the volunteer corps was first launched, we held a formal oath-taking ceremony, pledging to faithfully fulfill our duties as members to the best of our abilities. As I dream of a future career as a medical social worker, the mere fact that I could participate in international medical volunteer activities filled me with great fulfillment and excitement.
Our club’s activities were divided into domestic and international initiatives. Domestically, we systematically completed medical-related training and regularly volunteered at local hospitals. This process provided me, who aspired to work in a hospital setting, with practical experience and learning opportunities. It also allowed me to directly confront the diverse realities of patients desperately needing welfare support, instilling a deep sense of responsibility. Our international activities consisted of overseas medical volunteer work in countries like China, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Mongolia, where we participated in emergency relief, international medical care, and emotional support activities. While we couldn’t take on major roles due to our youth, we found great fulfillment knowing our help was genuinely needed, as recognized by the overseas medical volunteer organizations.
One particularly memorable activity was the medical volunteer training program conducted domestically. Through this training, I learned cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid techniques. While I didn’t yet possess deep knowledge of medical diagnosis or treatment methods, it was my first hands-on practical experience, so I focused intensely on learning. We practiced CPR repeatedly using mannequins and concentrated on mastering the precise procedure for artificial respiration. Since these were practical skills applicable in real volunteer settings, rather than just theoretical knowledge, they felt particularly meaningful. Additionally, I visited the International Medical Center to learn about the types of medications, the basic uses and characteristics of medical tools and equipment. The training was hands-on, covering what tools to prepare for situations requiring disinfection, the medical equipment used for X-rays, and how to organize and utilize various types of ointments, gauze, and cotton. Thanks to this training, I was able to adapt more naturally and participate more actively in subsequent volunteer activities both domestically and internationally.
Regular hospital volunteer work took place at a general hospital near the school. The focus was primarily on activities providing emotional stability, such as chatting with patients or giving hand and foot massages. While these tasks might seem simple on the surface, they required constant attention to hygiene management and attitude since we were directly interacting with patients. We wore sanitary aprons and underwent full-body disinfection before volunteering, strictly adhering to the basics of thoroughly washing and disinfecting our hands before attending to each patient. When conversing with patients, we asked where they were from, what symptoms led to their hospitalization, how they were feeling, and their satisfaction with hospital services, listening sincerely to their stories. This companionship went beyond simple conversation and deepened my conviction about my career path as a medical social worker.
The Green Doctors volunteer activities allowed me to experience what true ‘medical welfare’ means, extending far beyond mere service. Through direct engagement and experience, I learned not just knowledge, but the practical sensibilities, attitudes, and approach to interacting with people in the field. This has become a solid foundation for advancing toward my dream career. It was a profound time, realizing how warm yet weighty a responsibility helping others is, and how much it fosters personal growth.
Precious experiences felt in the field of care, sharing, and cooperation
Every time vacation came around, I made an effort to spend that time in a way that held special meaning. Among these activities, the most memorable was the overseas medical volunteer work I did with the Green Doctors volunteer group. The Green Doctors volunteer group I belonged to ran overseas medical volunteer programs every vacation. I had always believed that domestic medical professionals needed to go beyond borders and work on a broader stage, so I participated with the desire to gain firsthand experience. During the semester, we prepared, and when vacation came, we embarked on the activities. This allowed me to participate in three overseas volunteer missions. The countries I visited were Myanmar, Mongolia, and Thailand. There, I toured various medical volunteer facilities, met patients of many nationalities, and learned and felt so much.
Overseas medical volunteer work, much like domestic programs, doesn’t immediately involve youth in direct patient care. Therefore, we first underwent educational programs and a short but intensive training course provided by the volunteer group’s nationwide branches. During this process, I volunteered as an interpreter at a free clinic for foreigners located in Seoul. To serve as an interpreter, it was crucial to master basic foreign language conversation and memorize frequently used question phrases. My fellow volunteer and I repeatedly practiced conversation scripts to prepare for real-life situations. When actually meeting foreign patients, I realized that simple words and phrases, along with gestures and body language, proved more effective than fluent conversation skills. Through these multiple volunteer experiences, I naturally learned communication methods.
Subsequently, actual overseas volunteer activities followed, and my memories from Thailand and Myanmar remain vivid even now. While all three countries offered meaningful experiences, Thailand and Myanmar had a notably higher number of young pediatric patients, making our assistance even more crucial. Volunteering in Thailand, conducted alongside students from multicultural families, provided a valuable opportunity to understand different cultures and build rapport throughout the activity. Locally, we primarily handled medication organization, supply management, and cleaning and sanitation inside and outside the clinics. For patients waiting, we provided simple translation in foreign languages or offered companionship to ease their tension. Especially with child patients, we comforted frightened or whimpering children in unfamiliar surroundings, checked their painful areas, and assisted with basic first aid.
Through these activities, I realized the significance went far beyond simple medical volunteering. I came to understand that helping someone, especially reaching out wholeheartedly to those who are physically unwell, is not merely an act of consideration but a collaboration rooted in deep human connection and trust. Each step of the volunteer process became a valuable lesson, a precious time to personally experience the value of sharing and solidarity. Based on these experiences, I resolved to live a life contributing to society by working alongside more people.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans
My dream is to become a medical social worker. In Korea, public awareness of the social welfare field remains relatively low. Many people are unfamiliar with what social workers actually do, and their role isn’t prominently recognized across various industries. Amidst this reality, I wish to learn and experience the diverse fields of social work firsthand, particularly by dedicating myself to medical social work to help promote the value of this profession.
Medical social workers are professionals who perform specialized roles within hospitals based on their certified qualifications. Like doctors or nurses, they contribute to patients’ health recovery and improved quality of life, providing crucial emotional and social support throughout the entire treatment process. In this sense, medical social workers are not mere assistants but members of the treatment team who actively engage with patients’ lives. I believe this role aligns well with my aptitude.
To achieve this dream, I plan to diligently focus on my major courses after entering university. While broadening my knowledge through various social work courses—covering child welfare, elderly welfare, and medical welfare—I also intend to expand my thinking beyond textbook knowledge by asking fundamental questions like “What is social work?” For instance, I want to engage in deep discussions with peers on topics such as “What does social work mean to me?” and “Why must medical social workers exist within hospitals?”
Furthermore, I plan to maintain a consistent interest in the current state and issues of South Korea’s medical welfare system. I intend to conduct in-depth research based on actual statistical data and policy reports, focusing on topics like “What level is South Korea’s medical welfare system currently at?” and “What improvements are needed for the National Health Insurance system and the separation of medical and pharmaceutical services policy?” In this process, I will strive to draw more practical and concrete conclusions by utilizing National Statistical Office data analysis, expert interviews, and surveys.
I will not neglect the practical preparation necessary for my career path. Above all, preparing for the qualification exam will be crucial. During my undergraduate studies, I plan to systematically prepare with the goal of obtaining a Level 1 Social Worker certification. Particularly for medical social workers, one must hold a Level 1 certification and complete a certain period of training at a hospital before being eligible to take the qualification exam. Therefore, acquiring the certification and securing training opportunities during my undergraduate years is crucial. During this training period, I aim to gain practical experience in a hospital setting, develop my professional capabilities, and use this as a vital starting point for my career.
After completing my training, I will take the medical social worker qualification exam to obtain my official certification. Ultimately, I aspire to grow into a social worker who collaborates with critically ill patients and their families in large hospitals to share and resolve their psychological and social challenges. My final goal is to become a valued professional in the field as a specialized medical social worker and, furthermore, to contribute to improving societal awareness of medical welfare.
The career path of a medical social worker is not merely a job choice; it is a warm practice of helping someone recover and thoughtfully considering the direction of their life together. I will prepare diligently for this path and strive to be someone who persists in this endeavor to the very end.
