In this blog post, I will summarize and present my responses to each section of the personal statement I wrote for admission to the Civil Engineering program at Kumoh National Institute of Technology, focusing on my academic efforts and learning experiences, campus activities, examples of consideration and cooperation, my motivation for choosing this major, and my plans after enrollment.
Academic Efforts and Learning Experiences
“Look at your feet, not the mountaintop.” For me, the hardest part of studying was not sleepiness or boredom, but “pressure.” Thoughts like, “Will I get into a good college?” or “Can I achieve my goals?” always weighed heavily on me, and I had to learn how to free myself from that pressure. I gained this insight through weekend hiking. If I focused only on the summit while climbing, my heart would grow heavy and I’d tire easily; but when I concentrated on each step right beneath my feet, I actually found joy, and the burden vanished. Applying this experience to my studies, I decided to set long-term goals, break them down into specific tasks, and tackle one daily task at a time.
Rather than worrying about the grades I needed to achieve for admission or the distant future, I focused on “the problems I need to solve right now” and “whether I’ve finished today’s planned work.” Whenever anxiety resurfaced, instead of dwelling on it, I concentrated on the studying I needed to do at that moment—memorizing the material and solving problems. By putting this into practice, I was able to shake off the burden and see my grades begin to rise. Through my studies, I learned to let go of the pressure and take action.
Extracurricular Activities, Consideration for Others, and Motivation for Choosing a Major
Rocket Club: Inquisitive Spirit and Confidence
I joined the Rocket Club at the recommendation of an older neighbor. Since I didn’t even know the first thing about rockets when I started, there was a lot to learn—from design methods and material selection to the use of adhesives. While many of my friends who were aiming for engineering school tended to figure things out on their own, I had so much to learn that I needed extra guidance. Fortunately, the club had a culture of patience—no one scolded those who didn’t know something. The upperclassmen shared manuals and reference materials and gave me time to explore on my own. Thanks to their patience, I began learning step by step, searching for resources at the National Library and photocopying blueprints myself. Ultimately, the experience of building and launching my first rocket on my own gave me a great sense of joy and accomplishment.
There were many nights I stayed up all night building rockets, and although my launch records weren’t as impressive as those of my friends, the experience of seeing “a device I built with my own hands actually work” instilled in me a love for engineering and a newfound confidence. The most memorable activity was when our team attempted to build and launch a rocket large enough for people to ride in. Although it wasn’t a complete success as planned, the preparation process, the excitement of the launch moment, and the shared experiences—laughing and sweating together with my friends—became a source of confidence for me and a decisive factor in my choice of major.
Examples of Consideration and Collaboration
My nickname is “Happy Guy.” I always greet my friends with a smile and have made a point of offering encouragement and praise rather than harsh words. This attitude was greatly influenced by the upperclassmen in my club who waited patiently for me, and by my parents, who supported my various activities at home. Reflecting on my own past struggles with low self-confidence, I frequently told my juniors and friends, “You can do it” and “You’re doing great.” When I made a point of praising even their smallest strengths, I saw their faces light up, and more and more of them found encouragement—even amidst their playful reactions.
In the club, as a senior, I tried to boost the morale of the underclassmen and foster a positive team atmosphere through encouragement rather than being overly strict. As a result, some friends who were on the verge of giving up found the strength to try again, and through the experience of seeing how a single word could change a person, I deeply felt the “power of praise.”
Reasons for Choosing My Major and Plans After Enrollment
I chose to major in Civil Engineering because I wanted to study a practical field that society needs. I believed that South Korea requires specialized professionals due to its ongoing development and urbanization, and that substandard design could lead to problems like sinkholes. Although engineering is challenging, it is a field that offers the satisfaction of creating something, and I chose civil engineering because I wanted to become such a professional and contribute to society.
During my college preparation, I focused above all on cultivating a “spirit of inquiry.” I was dedicated to club activities, repeatedly engaging in design and fabrication, and through this process, I developed an attitude of identifying and solving problems on my own. Building on the spirit of inquiry I developed in high school, I will actively participate in every opportunity presented to me in college. I will engage enthusiastically in classes, team projects, and presentations, and when opportunities for experiments and research arise, I will take the initiative to tackle them, gaining broad experience to grow into a practice-oriented civil engineering professional.
