Scholarship / Technology and Multilingual Award - KGSP Undergraduate Personal Statement [4]

my dream to study in South Korea

Hello please help me with my personal statement, I think what I made is too long. All feedback will be appreciated, please help me to pass a good personal statement

Technology is developing over time; this made me curious how the things behind the technology we are using actually work. I was in my first year high school when I realized that I want to do this as my career in the future, what also motivates me to do this is that my auntie is also a graduate of Computer Engineer and the way how she enjoy her work, I also want to experience it. When I reached my 4th year in high school, I tried searching the best school for college that will develop my passion and skills for this program. Aside from the universities in the xxx that show in the result, there is also a list from universities in South Korea so I wonder why and I did my research. I found out that South Korea is one of the countries that lead in technology, which made me eager to look for a university that will fit me. I thought I can study in South Korea, but when I saw the tuition fee for my desired school, I felt hopeless. My parents cannot afford to send me to a university with such expensive tuition fee.

At first, I thought that was the end of my dream to study in South Korea. Then, I realize that there might be a scholarship in that university and I was right. KGSP is one of the scholarships they offered and my curiosity for this scholarship is strong as it offers an all paid expenses plus a stipend every month, that is a huge opportunity for people like me who aspire to study in South Korea but unprivileged. This scholarship will be a big help not only to me but also to my parents. Roughly, I prepared for about 1 and a half year to apply in this program and now I am finally eligible to apply.

My family belongs to a middle class family; in our house, my grandfather lives with us and I have two younger sisters. I am the eldest and because of it I sometimes feel the most pressure in our house, they expect a lot to me especially my younger siblings. My mom is an Area Cashier at a private company, she is an Accountancy graduate unfortunately she did not pass the CPA Exam. My father is not a college graduate and his job is a driver.

I finished my senior high school at the xxx with Honors. I was under the Academic Strand with a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Track. I am currently enrolled in the same university majoring in Computer Engineering. During my first month in college, I attend some workshops to strengthen my knowledge in subjects needed in my major. I enjoy every lesson I had even though it is hard; my mindset is focus on my goal.

The NSTP (National Service Training Program) I chose is CWTS or Civic Welfare Training Service. Ever since I was young, I have a soft heart for people in the streets or less fortunate people; that is why I chose this as my NSTP. Every three weeks we do a community service or feeding program to different area in Metro Manila where there are a lot of kids. When I am alone and I see some kids on the street, I usually give them foods instead of money so I am sure that my money went to something good.

During my last year in high school, I was able to receive a "Multilingual Award" in our classroom. That is because I can speak and understand a little bit of Korean Language aside from my mother tongue and the English language. I am now in Intermediate Level in Korean Language and I am currently enrolled in a class for Advance Level. Our thesis is also on the process of publication, but we are not sure yet if it will be published or not as we already give the rights on our Practical Research Adviser, he is in charge of all the editing that needs to be done in the paper. For 10 days, I attend a Web Development Seminar and I was able to receive a certificate from that seminar. I learned a lot in that Web Development Seminar and I was able to use it in my program.

Scholarship / Korean and English Language, Korean Culture, Dramas and friends - Study Plan for KGSP [2]

Study Plans to Improve Foreign Languages

Study plans to improve foreign languages(Korean, English, etc) required for taking a bachelor's degree course
BEFORE and AFTER you come to Korea.

I learned about the KGSP when I am on my 10th Grade in High School. I found out that I cannot apply that time as it is required that I have finished my high school here. Given the situation, it leaves me no choice but to wait for my turn. While waiting for the right time to apply, I engaged myself more in South Korea. It was really my habit to watch Korean Dramas or listening to K-Pop Music back when I was in Elementary, but I stopped when I was about to start my high school year. Engaging in South Korea was never been hard for me as I already knew some of their cultures.

I decided to start learning the Korean Language, at first I am studying by myself and for a beginner it is quite challenging because everything is really different from what I am used to, like for example the characters. But in span of 1 week, I was able to distinguish all the Korean characters. Next, I focused on the pronunciation because it differs depending on the location of the consonant. I did the self study for about 6 months. One time, while I was scrolling through my facebook feed, my friend posted that she finished her beginner level for the Korean Language. That made me curious and tried to enroll for the Beginner Level. I actually made a wrong choice back then because I already knew all the lessons from the beginner book, but since I am already enrolled I still attend classes. In the end, I am also thankful because I was able to recall all the lessons I studied by myself and that help me more to construct my sentences properly. I just finished my Intermediate Class and it's also a wonderful experience because we are not just studying the lessons from the book but they also let us experience the Traditional Korean Culture during Subject Class. They taught us about the transportation system in Korea plus they let us wear a Hanbok and taught us how to cook different Korean dishes like tteokbokki, kimchi jjigae, and bibimbap. I am currently enrolled for Advance Level and I am looking forward to get my certificate. I was supposed to take the TOPIK Exam here in the Philippines but unfortunately when I checked the registration date, I am already late.

As I engaged myself in the Korean Culture, I met a few Korean friends and we are helping each other out. I am teaching them the English Language while they teach me the Korean Language. But often, we talked in Korean because they really want me to learn the language as they knew my plans in applying in this scholarship. Last year, one of my Korean friends went here in the Philippines to visit me and that was the first time we met. I am shocked because during her stay here, most of the times we are conversing in Korean even though I answer in slow pace plus I am just using the basic words. She told me that I learned the language very fast and I am doing well.

If I will be chosen, I will do my best to achieve the TOPIK Level 3 in the first 6 months so I may start my bachelor's degree by Fall Semester. I will also ask for help from my Korean friends so I can score a high point for TOPIK Level Exam. I believed that I will achieve my goal because all I need to do is learn the language in the first 6 months. Also, having a conversation in Korean really helped me a lot to improve my vocabulary and grammar.