- I would greatly appreciate suggestions for my personal statement draft :)
I got a notification from my professor at 7 a.m., just after I had finished making my bed, with my graduation cap still on the floor. It read, "Congratulations, beauty and brain!" At that moment, the green tea I had been drinking every morning for the past two years felt more fulfilling and flavorful, like the words had settled in the warmth of my tea. I realized I had fulfilled a dream that had lived in me for so long, the dream that whispered when my professors awarded other students while I sat still on the wooden chair of my school.
I am from a small province in the Philippines, where dreams often feel distant, but never impossible with determination. For as long as I can remember, it has been just my mother, my sister, and me. I admired how my mother painted a smile on her face despite the worn and frayed canvas she had in the background - she was resilient - she balanced her responsibilities as a public servant and as a single mother. My mission became to have a glimpse of her smile as often as I could, so I dreamed of being someone both my mother and I could be proud of, the beautiful and smart girl in class. But puberty had its way of waking me up, quickly snapping me back from the reality my 10-year-old self lived. I cried over report cards that did not reflect the effort I put in, and I would wash my face three times with the school's sink water as I struggled with coping with my acne and eczema. I remember glancing at my face in our car's side mirror, sunlight emphasizing my dark spots and rashes. The question, "Can we go see a dermatologist?" slipped out, even though I knew my mom had so much on her plate. I simply couldn't accept what I saw in that mirror.
Until I had set foot in a department store, I had never foreseen that a simple glance at the "K-beauty" aisle could spark something life-changing and change my life trajectory. A skincare bottle that was a mystery to me, with its foreign language and ingredients, the brand's name even struggled to pass my lips, but something inside me knew it was for me. I recalled how there was always a positive connotation around South Korea in terms of innovations in beauty and technology, as they even reached beyond its borders and influenced my own country. That single skincare bottle became an academic epiphany, as it opened my eyes to how beauty and science intertwined, how biology and chemistry shape skincare and cosmetics. I wanted to understand the language, the culture, and the science behind every bottle that healed not only my skin but also made me see myself in a brighter light. I saw pieces of K-beauty everywhere, not just as a trend, but as a vision - a path I longed to follow, where I could contribute by bridging my country and South Korea through science and cosmetics.
I have always been the kind of student who asks "Why?" and "How?", the innate curiosity I had paved the way for me to understand and apply education in my life on a deeper level, driving me to become a consistent achiever throughout my high school years. I pursued the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) strand at Golden Olympus Colleges in Tarlac City, earning a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 95 in Grade 11 and 97 in Grade 12. My solid groundwork in science and English supports my commitment to pursue a degree in bio-health technology. I also amplified my voice outside the four walls of the classroom, competing in local journalism conferences, including the Tarlac City Private Institutions Association Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwriting in English competition. This experience not only built up my confidence in public speaking and writing but also sharpened my ability to convey complex ideas clearly, a vital skill for educating society about skin health and science, as I firmly believe that science should not be intimidating; it should empower. These skills will help me bridge the gap between people and research.
While I remained focused on academics, I also recognized the importance of real-world skills such as negotiation and marketing. I was honored to receive the Excellence Award in Entrepreneurship, an award given to only one student in my school. This recognition reflects my ability to collaborate, negotiate effectively, and apply a creative eye to product development, which I believe will be my strength during the startup field training in my later years of study, as I work toward my goal of expanding the reach of Filipino and Korean skincare products on a global scale.
Despite limited science-related competitions at my school, I seized every learning opportunity. I led a group that won 3rd place in a chemistry activity during our STEM Day, which challenged both my leadership and interest in applied science. I have also transformed my interest in the medical field into a major research study: "A Phenomenological Study: Exploring the Experiences of Filipino Female Nurses in the Male-Dominated Healthcare Industry in Loving Mother General Hospital." This exceptional study earned multiple awards from our school's research committee, including Best Female Presenter, Best Team Presenter, and Best in Manuscript. Additionally, I had the privilege of experiencing the hospital setting firsthand through my work immersion at Talon General Hospital, one of the leading medical centers located in the heart of Tarlac City. There, I learned crucial skills necessary for the medical field as I observed and worked under supervision in every department, gaining essential skills in hospital frontlines to laboratory work, opening my eyes to my country's struggles, such as gender discrimination, low salaries, and a shortage of medical staff. Despite these struggles, it strengthened my desire to pursue a degree in bio-health technology and a career in the medical field, as my willingness to serve people through care outweighs any struggle I may face.
As part of my research for applying to the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), I looked into affiliated universities, knowing that their environment, guiding values, and support for international students can shape my academic path and personal development. After extensive research, I found Kangwon National University, a national university located in Chuncheon. It is well-known for its strong foundation in molecular bioscience, natural product chemistry, and instrumental analysis within the Department of Bio-Health Technology, College of Natural Sciences. It is also home to Kangwon National University Hospital, a leading medical center offering advanced dermatology treatments for conditions such as acne, eczema, and atopic dermatitis.
I am particularly inspired by the research of Professor Dong-ha Cho, which solidified my decision through his study, "New Insight into Drugs to Alleviate Atopic March via Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis." His focus on atopic march, a key condition that marks the onset of a chronic allergic cycle, led to the identification of major genes and proteins by integrating molecular targeting and bioactive compounds, which formed a strong foundation for future treatment development. His research aligns with the kind of science I aspire to practice: developing dermatological treatments that are not only biologically effective but also rooted in natural therapeutic potential. Science that doesn't just follow, but innovates.
Guided by the belief that knowledge opens minds, beauty opens eyes, and passion opens hearts, with the support of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), I can also open new opportunities and widen my understanding of biology, with the goal of healing, innovating, and uplifting. In rural areas of the Philippines, skin consultations are often labeled as a "privilege," as clinics remain out of reach both financially and geographically. As a volunteer at Liwanag at Dunong, a non-governmental organization, we offer our helping hands to the Aeta community, our indigenous people who are part of the national minority and often face oppression from people and the government. The Aeta's lack of access to medical care is always apparent in every visit we make. Their body are filled with scars, and their feet with wounds, as they walk the ground with no proper protection, their land that is supposed to take them places, scars them. In every visit, I strongly advocate for my goals, for more skin health consultations for our Aeta people, for more voice, and for more presentations. A study published in the Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society found that while 25% of local doctors have easy access to a dermatologist, the majority struggle to treat skin problems due to limited training and access to medicine. The experiences that opened my eyes reflect a bigger problem - a lack of resources to give care. It fuels my determination to pursue bio-health technology in Korea, a country known for excellence in medical innovation and technology advancements, and return to the Philippines equipped not only with technical knowledge but with a mindset to think globally and serve locally, making skin health accessible for everyone, not just for those who can afford it.
Studying abroad may come with many obstacles, but none greater than the vision I am determined to achieve and the bridges I am prepared to connect. Pursuing something bigger than my means is a reflection of my determination. Through the Global Korea Scholarship, I am not just crossing borders, I am reaching for the life I once only imagined, where I can contribute to both nations, with steadfast resilience and a heart that knows exactly why it beats for this path.
This dream is not mine alone; it is a tribute to the country that shaped me.
I got a notification from my professor at 7 a.m., just after I had finished making my bed, with my graduation cap still on the floor. It read, "Congratulations, beauty and brain!" At that moment, the green tea I had been drinking every morning for the past two years felt more fulfilling and flavorful, like the words had settled in the warmth of my tea. I realized I had fulfilled a dream that had lived in me for so long, the dream that whispered when my professors awarded other students while I sat still on the wooden chair of my school.
I am from a small province in the Philippines, where dreams often feel distant, but never impossible with determination. For as long as I can remember, it has been just my mother, my sister, and me. I admired how my mother painted a smile on her face despite the worn and frayed canvas she had in the background - she was resilient - she balanced her responsibilities as a public servant and as a single mother. My mission became to have a glimpse of her smile as often as I could, so I dreamed of being someone both my mother and I could be proud of, the beautiful and smart girl in class. But puberty had its way of waking me up, quickly snapping me back from the reality my 10-year-old self lived. I cried over report cards that did not reflect the effort I put in, and I would wash my face three times with the school's sink water as I struggled with coping with my acne and eczema. I remember glancing at my face in our car's side mirror, sunlight emphasizing my dark spots and rashes. The question, "Can we go see a dermatologist?" slipped out, even though I knew my mom had so much on her plate. I simply couldn't accept what I saw in that mirror.
Until I had set foot in a department store, I had never foreseen that a simple glance at the "K-beauty" aisle could spark something life-changing and change my life trajectory. A skincare bottle that was a mystery to me, with its foreign language and ingredients, the brand's name even struggled to pass my lips, but something inside me knew it was for me. I recalled how there was always a positive connotation around South Korea in terms of innovations in beauty and technology, as they even reached beyond its borders and influenced my own country. That single skincare bottle became an academic epiphany, as it opened my eyes to how beauty and science intertwined, how biology and chemistry shape skincare and cosmetics. I wanted to understand the language, the culture, and the science behind every bottle that healed not only my skin but also made me see myself in a brighter light. I saw pieces of K-beauty everywhere, not just as a trend, but as a vision - a path I longed to follow, where I could contribute by bridging my country and South Korea through science and cosmetics.
I have always been the kind of student who asks "Why?" and "How?", the innate curiosity I had paved the way for me to understand and apply education in my life on a deeper level, driving me to become a consistent achiever throughout my high school years. I pursued the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) strand at Golden Olympus Colleges in Tarlac City, earning a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 95 in Grade 11 and 97 in Grade 12. My solid groundwork in science and English supports my commitment to pursue a degree in bio-health technology. I also amplified my voice outside the four walls of the classroom, competing in local journalism conferences, including the Tarlac City Private Institutions Association Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwriting in English competition. This experience not only built up my confidence in public speaking and writing but also sharpened my ability to convey complex ideas clearly, a vital skill for educating society about skin health and science, as I firmly believe that science should not be intimidating; it should empower. These skills will help me bridge the gap between people and research.
While I remained focused on academics, I also recognized the importance of real-world skills such as negotiation and marketing. I was honored to receive the Excellence Award in Entrepreneurship, an award given to only one student in my school. This recognition reflects my ability to collaborate, negotiate effectively, and apply a creative eye to product development, which I believe will be my strength during the startup field training in my later years of study, as I work toward my goal of expanding the reach of Filipino and Korean skincare products on a global scale.
Despite limited science-related competitions at my school, I seized every learning opportunity. I led a group that won 3rd place in a chemistry activity during our STEM Day, which challenged both my leadership and interest in applied science. I have also transformed my interest in the medical field into a major research study: "A Phenomenological Study: Exploring the Experiences of Filipino Female Nurses in the Male-Dominated Healthcare Industry in Loving Mother General Hospital." This exceptional study earned multiple awards from our school's research committee, including Best Female Presenter, Best Team Presenter, and Best in Manuscript. Additionally, I had the privilege of experiencing the hospital setting firsthand through my work immersion at Talon General Hospital, one of the leading medical centers located in the heart of Tarlac City. There, I learned crucial skills necessary for the medical field as I observed and worked under supervision in every department, gaining essential skills in hospital frontlines to laboratory work, opening my eyes to my country's struggles, such as gender discrimination, low salaries, and a shortage of medical staff. Despite these struggles, it strengthened my desire to pursue a degree in bio-health technology and a career in the medical field, as my willingness to serve people through care outweighs any struggle I may face.
As part of my research for applying to the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), I looked into affiliated universities, knowing that their environment, guiding values, and support for international students can shape my academic path and personal development. After extensive research, I found Kangwon National University, a national university located in Chuncheon. It is well-known for its strong foundation in molecular bioscience, natural product chemistry, and instrumental analysis within the Department of Bio-Health Technology, College of Natural Sciences. It is also home to Kangwon National University Hospital, a leading medical center offering advanced dermatology treatments for conditions such as acne, eczema, and atopic dermatitis.
I am particularly inspired by the research of Professor Dong-ha Cho, which solidified my decision through his study, "New Insight into Drugs to Alleviate Atopic March via Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis." His focus on atopic march, a key condition that marks the onset of a chronic allergic cycle, led to the identification of major genes and proteins by integrating molecular targeting and bioactive compounds, which formed a strong foundation for future treatment development. His research aligns with the kind of science I aspire to practice: developing dermatological treatments that are not only biologically effective but also rooted in natural therapeutic potential. Science that doesn't just follow, but innovates.
Guided by the belief that knowledge opens minds, beauty opens eyes, and passion opens hearts, with the support of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), I can also open new opportunities and widen my understanding of biology, with the goal of healing, innovating, and uplifting. In rural areas of the Philippines, skin consultations are often labeled as a "privilege," as clinics remain out of reach both financially and geographically. As a volunteer at Liwanag at Dunong, a non-governmental organization, we offer our helping hands to the Aeta community, our indigenous people who are part of the national minority and often face oppression from people and the government. The Aeta's lack of access to medical care is always apparent in every visit we make. Their body are filled with scars, and their feet with wounds, as they walk the ground with no proper protection, their land that is supposed to take them places, scars them. In every visit, I strongly advocate for my goals, for more skin health consultations for our Aeta people, for more voice, and for more presentations. A study published in the Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society found that while 25% of local doctors have easy access to a dermatologist, the majority struggle to treat skin problems due to limited training and access to medicine. The experiences that opened my eyes reflect a bigger problem - a lack of resources to give care. It fuels my determination to pursue bio-health technology in Korea, a country known for excellence in medical innovation and technology advancements, and return to the Philippines equipped not only with technical knowledge but with a mindset to think globally and serve locally, making skin health accessible for everyone, not just for those who can afford it.
Studying abroad may come with many obstacles, but none greater than the vision I am determined to achieve and the bridges I am prepared to connect. Pursuing something bigger than my means is a reflection of my determination. Through the Global Korea Scholarship, I am not just crossing borders, I am reaching for the life I once only imagined, where I can contribute to both nations, with steadfast resilience and a heart that knows exactly why it beats for this path.
This dream is not mine alone; it is a tribute to the country that shaped me.
