In this blog post, I’ll summarize my journey of growth—from my study habits and school activities during high school to my experiences with empathy and collaboration, and finally to my plans for college.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

I believed that listening was the starting point for learning English. While many of my friends started learning English by memorizing vocabulary or solving reading comprehension problems, I believed that the most effective way to learn a language is to pick it up naturally through everyday life. However, since I didn’t have enough opportunities to hear English frequently at school or at home, I needed to supplement my learning in other ways.
I recorded natural audio materials—such as everyday conversations, dialogue from TV dramas and movies, and real news broadcasts from the U.S. and the U.K.—and listened to them repeatedly. I chose materials that contained actual spoken and written expressions—not just listening files created solely for practice—and listened to them consistently. When listening to these materials, I didn’t just repeat them mindlessly; I alternated between passive listening and focused listening.
First, during passive listening, I approached it with the mindset of a child learning their native language—listening broadly to get used to the sounds rather than striving to grasp every single meaning. When you don’t strain to catch every single word, you gradually become familiar with frequently heard expressions and sentence structures, and they start to sound natural. Next, I practiced focused listening while looking at the transcript.
During focused listening, I actively identified words and sentence structures, practicing connecting sounds with their meanings. Through this process, I was able to maintain a much higher level of concentration than during passive listening, and my listening skills improved noticeably. This learning method has the advantage of allowing you to master both colloquial and formal expressions at the same time.
By becoming familiar with everyday expressions and idioms through passive listening, and by structurally understanding formal expressions through focused listening, I often saw these results reflected in my college entrance exam listening and reading comprehension questions. After becoming accustomed to listening, I progressed to the stage of reading the corresponding script and expressing the content in my own words. The scripts I practiced repeatedly—including reading them aloud—were rarely forgotten and translated into actual speaking and writing skills.

Writing About Major School Activities and Reflections

The school activity I found most meaningful during high school was the senior-junior tutoring program. As an international high school, our school offered a variety of learning programs, and among them, the tutoring program was a system where high-achieving students helped their juniors. I had been making various efforts in my studies since my freshman year of high school, and I applied because I wanted to share my experiences by helping underclassmen.
To qualify as a tutor, students had to have top-tier scores on recent mock exams in English and math, and I had consistently maintained good grades in English. Believing that I needed to further develop my own abilities to truly help my underclassmen as a tutor, I focused more intensively on studying math. This time, I approached the program not simply to improve my own grades, but with the desire to be a senior who could truly help others.
When studying math, I took notes and organized my material systematically so that I could later explain the concepts to my junior. While I usually took notes in a way that only I could understand, I realized that, as a tutor, I needed to organize them neatly so that others could follow along. So, I reorganized my notes and materials and refined them into a format that was easy to explain.
The junior student I was matched with was struggling with reading comprehension and grammar, so I focused my guidance primarily on reading comprehension during our self-study sessions. I had them practice breaking down passages into phrases and reading them one by one, and I helped them identify grammatical elements by having them repeat each passage multiple times. I felt a great sense of fulfillment when I heard that the junior’s quiz scores had improved and their overall English proficiency had increased.
While serving as a study tutor, I sometimes also acted as a mentor for school life. We discussed aspects beyond academics, such as how to create a study plan without getting overly stressed and how to overcome slumps. When the student confided in me about difficulties with friendships or the pressures of exam preparation, I tried to help sincerely, going beyond mere formal advice, and through this process, I was able to further develop my sense of responsibility and consideration.

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

Under the goal of fostering global leaders, our school operated many programs that allowed students to experience tradition and culture, and etiquette education was an important activity in which the entire student body participated. Through etiquette education, I had the opportunity to experience traditional etiquette firsthand and learn an altruistic attitude.
During the temple stay, I spent time calming my mind by following the monks’ daily routines, such as the monastic meal and meditation. As someone who usually leads a busy life, this time allowed me to clear my mind, and by sharing household chores with friends—such as sweeping the temple courtyard, preparing food, and washing dishes—I truly realized the importance of cooperation.
After working together on tasks like cleaning and washing dishes—things I rarely do at home—I realized that even simple household chores can be meaningful acts within a community. I came to see that the entire process—preparing food with care, eating calmly, and cleaning up afterward—is a way of caring for both myself and others.
Another activity involved experiencing the school life of Confucian scholars during the Joseon Dynasty. As I learned the proper attitude toward teachers and the etiquette of studying, I found myself reflecting on my own usual behavior. Hearing how Confucian scholars studied from dawn until night, repeatedly reading the same texts and engaging in deep reflection, I resolved to approach my current life as a college entrance exam candidate with greater seriousness and a reverent heart.
These experiences helped me view studying not merely as a chore, but as an activity for self-cultivation. Through the small sense of responsibility that arises from considering others and working together, I learned how to maintain relationships with people, and I feel this will remain an important attitude in my life moving forward.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

Growing up in various regions under the guidance of my parents, who were diplomats, I had many opportunities to experience diverse cultures. While some might have disliked the constant changes in environment, I enjoyed the process of learning about new cultures and making new friends, which naturally led me to set a goal of becoming a person active on the international stage. As a result, I decided to pursue a career in international trade.
Once I had decided on my career path, the first thing I focused on was improving my English skills. Although I had a basic grasp of conversational English, I believed that flawless English proficiency is essential in the field of international trade, so I worked to develop all four skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—in a balanced manner. Even after entering college, I plan to continue developing my practical conversational skills by making friends of various nationalities, rather than relying solely on textbooks.
Second is expertise in my major. I believe I must build a solid foundation of knowledge in my major fields—such as trade, commerce, and logistics—so that I can confidently apply it in any setting. To this end, during my undergraduate studies, I plan to deepen my specialized knowledge by reading not only core textbooks but also a wide range of related academic papers and reference materials. In the long term, I aim to cultivate my expertise by gaining experience in both research and practical work within these fields.
Finally, character is a crucial element. I believe that to work as a trade expert on the international stage, not only professional knowledge but also good manners and an unbiased attitude are essential. Since an attitude that respects others and fosters empathy is a great asset in negotiations and discussions, I will strive to become a person who is always humble and considerate.
To ensure I am well-rounded in these three areas—English proficiency, academic expertise, and character—I will prepare diligently by building on the study methods and lessons learned from my high school extracurricular activities. In college, I will grow into a competent professional in the field of international trade through more systematic and in-depth study.