Hello! I'm working on my personal statement for a graduate program in Interaction Science SKKU, and I'd be grateful if someone could review my draft. I'm mainly looking for feedback on coherence, structure, and whether the narrative feels clear. Any suggestions would be a huge help. Thank you in advance!
Most people talk about artificial intelligence in extremes - either as an innovation that will solve everything or a threat that quietly replaces human judgment. Working as a junior product designer, I've learned that the real issue lies somewhere in between: people often don't trust what they don't understand. That tension between usefulness and uncertainty is what first made me curious about how design shapes people's perception of technology. It wasn't a dramatic moment of inspiration, but a slow, persistent question that grew each time I watched users struggle - not with the technology itself, but with the ambiguity behind it.
Before I ever cared about interfaces, AI, or how people interact with technology, creativity was the first thing I was drawn to. I loved drawing, making small crafts, and paying attention to anything visual - but the older I grew, the clearer one reality became: creativity didn't always pay the bills. In a low-income household, pursuing anything artistic felt like a luxury I couldn't afford. My parents worked hard to keep our basic needs met, and even attending university meant relying on scholarships and consistency. That understanding shaped the way I approached my future. So I set my creative interests aside and chose Public Administration, convincing myself that a stable, realistic path mattered more than passion.
Still, creativity found its way back to me. When I was learning about institutions, public policy, and systems, in my third year, a class on e-Government made me start questioning things. While we discussed how digital platforms were used to improve public services, I found myself paying attention to something else entirely. Why were some government websites so confusing, while others made sense right away? Who decides how people interact with these platforms?
That curiosity took me down a path I hadn't expected. I started exploring user interface and user experience design on my own. I watched tutorials late at night, followed case studies, and even tried redesigning apps I used every day. I didn't have a design or tech background, so I had to start from scratch. But I was determined. What began as curiosity turned into skill, and eventually, a career.
I graduated with a GPA of 3.8 and earned a scholarship during my studies. But more importantly, I built a foundation of grit and independence. I taught myself design tools, prototyping, and even front-end coding. I started publishing UI kits and templates online-some of which are now widely used in the Figma design community.
Today, I work as a full-time Product Designer at a tech company that serves clients in the Middle East. I've helped build AI-powered products like intelligent dashboards and messaging tools. I'm involved from the early research stage through to final design. I work closely with engineers, product managers, and other designers. Although I don't come from a technical field, I've learned how to contribute effectively. My ideas are trusted, and in many cases, chosen. I've also started learning HTML, CSS, and Python to better understand the work of my teammates and close the knowledge gap.
One of my proudest achievements was leading the design of a machine-learning-based dashboard to track financial milestones for early retirees. The tool helped users simulate various retirement plans, visualize opportunity costs, and receive personalized investment recommendations-all while maintaining a human-friendly interface. This project highlighted how AI needs more than just logic; it needs empathy, clarity, and ethical consideration.
Through this, I've realized a gap in my current capabilities: I often have strong intuitive hypotheses about user behavior, but lack formal training to validate them through proper cognitive research methods. I've also struggled when working with AI engineers due to limited academic knowledge in HCI, behavior modeling, and human-AI interaction frameworks. I want to fill this knowledge gap through structured education, which is why I see graduate study as essential-not optional.
Being the only designer in my team without a formal tech background used to make me feel insecure. Over time, I began to see it differently. Studying public administration taught me how systems affect people and how design choices can support or limit access. That perspective helps me think beyond the screen. I've realized that what I bring to the table is not just creativity, but the willingness to learn and adapt. Everything I've achieved in this field, I built through persistence and self-study.
Still, I know that passion and self-learning can only take me so far. To truly grow as a designer and researcher, I need deeper academic grounding. I want to move beyond what feels right and toward what is proven to work-by understanding cognitive psychology, behavioral science, and evidence-based design. I want to explore not just how people interact with technology, but why they behave the way they do.
That is why I am applying to the Interaction Science program at Sungkyunkwan University. SKKU offers the exact combination I've been searching for: rigorous research on human cognition, interaction design, and advanced technology, all within an applied context. I am particularly excited about the Human-AI Interaction Lab, which aligns perfectly with my experience and aspirations. I've worked on AI-based products and know firsthand how difficult it is to make intelligent systems feel human, trustworthy, and understandable. Designing AI is not just a technical challenge. It is a deeply human one. I want to contribute to research that makes intelligent systems more usable, inclusive, and ethical.
Beyond academics, I am drawn to Korea's vibrant and innovative tech ecosystem. As the home of global leaders like Samsung and Naver, Korea is at the forefront of human-centered innovation. I've been preparing to live and study in Korea by learning the language and immersing myself in Korean culture through media and literature. I'm excited not just to study, but to grow personally and professionally in a new environment that values excellence, collaboration, and forward thinking.
After completing my studies, I hope to gain professional experience in Korea's tech sector. Long-term, I plan to return to Indonesia and establish a digital design lab that focuses on improving public services through inclusive technology. I want to apply the insights and skills I've gained to build systems that are functional, beautiful, and accessible for everyday users. I hope to foster collaborations between Indonesia and Korea in technology and design, creating mutual growth and innovation.
I am not only looking for a degree. I am looking for a transformation. I want to become a stronger designer, a more thoughtful researcher, and a contributor to real global change. I believe that design is not just about aesthetics-it is about people. And people deserve technology that works for them.
Most people talk about artificial intelligence in extremes - either as an innovation that will solve everything or a threat that quietly replaces human judgment. Working as a junior product designer, I've learned that the real issue lies somewhere in between: people often don't trust what they don't understand. That tension between usefulness and uncertainty is what first made me curious about how design shapes people's perception of technology. It wasn't a dramatic moment of inspiration, but a slow, persistent question that grew each time I watched users struggle - not with the technology itself, but with the ambiguity behind it.
Before I ever cared about interfaces, AI, or how people interact with technology, creativity was the first thing I was drawn to. I loved drawing, making small crafts, and paying attention to anything visual - but the older I grew, the clearer one reality became: creativity didn't always pay the bills. In a low-income household, pursuing anything artistic felt like a luxury I couldn't afford. My parents worked hard to keep our basic needs met, and even attending university meant relying on scholarships and consistency. That understanding shaped the way I approached my future. So I set my creative interests aside and chose Public Administration, convincing myself that a stable, realistic path mattered more than passion.
Still, creativity found its way back to me. When I was learning about institutions, public policy, and systems, in my third year, a class on e-Government made me start questioning things. While we discussed how digital platforms were used to improve public services, I found myself paying attention to something else entirely. Why were some government websites so confusing, while others made sense right away? Who decides how people interact with these platforms?
That curiosity took me down a path I hadn't expected. I started exploring user interface and user experience design on my own. I watched tutorials late at night, followed case studies, and even tried redesigning apps I used every day. I didn't have a design or tech background, so I had to start from scratch. But I was determined. What began as curiosity turned into skill, and eventually, a career.
I graduated with a GPA of 3.8 and earned a scholarship during my studies. But more importantly, I built a foundation of grit and independence. I taught myself design tools, prototyping, and even front-end coding. I started publishing UI kits and templates online-some of which are now widely used in the Figma design community.
Today, I work as a full-time Product Designer at a tech company that serves clients in the Middle East. I've helped build AI-powered products like intelligent dashboards and messaging tools. I'm involved from the early research stage through to final design. I work closely with engineers, product managers, and other designers. Although I don't come from a technical field, I've learned how to contribute effectively. My ideas are trusted, and in many cases, chosen. I've also started learning HTML, CSS, and Python to better understand the work of my teammates and close the knowledge gap.
One of my proudest achievements was leading the design of a machine-learning-based dashboard to track financial milestones for early retirees. The tool helped users simulate various retirement plans, visualize opportunity costs, and receive personalized investment recommendations-all while maintaining a human-friendly interface. This project highlighted how AI needs more than just logic; it needs empathy, clarity, and ethical consideration.
Through this, I've realized a gap in my current capabilities: I often have strong intuitive hypotheses about user behavior, but lack formal training to validate them through proper cognitive research methods. I've also struggled when working with AI engineers due to limited academic knowledge in HCI, behavior modeling, and human-AI interaction frameworks. I want to fill this knowledge gap through structured education, which is why I see graduate study as essential-not optional.
Being the only designer in my team without a formal tech background used to make me feel insecure. Over time, I began to see it differently. Studying public administration taught me how systems affect people and how design choices can support or limit access. That perspective helps me think beyond the screen. I've realized that what I bring to the table is not just creativity, but the willingness to learn and adapt. Everything I've achieved in this field, I built through persistence and self-study.
Still, I know that passion and self-learning can only take me so far. To truly grow as a designer and researcher, I need deeper academic grounding. I want to move beyond what feels right and toward what is proven to work-by understanding cognitive psychology, behavioral science, and evidence-based design. I want to explore not just how people interact with technology, but why they behave the way they do.
That is why I am applying to the Interaction Science program at Sungkyunkwan University. SKKU offers the exact combination I've been searching for: rigorous research on human cognition, interaction design, and advanced technology, all within an applied context. I am particularly excited about the Human-AI Interaction Lab, which aligns perfectly with my experience and aspirations. I've worked on AI-based products and know firsthand how difficult it is to make intelligent systems feel human, trustworthy, and understandable. Designing AI is not just a technical challenge. It is a deeply human one. I want to contribute to research that makes intelligent systems more usable, inclusive, and ethical.
Beyond academics, I am drawn to Korea's vibrant and innovative tech ecosystem. As the home of global leaders like Samsung and Naver, Korea is at the forefront of human-centered innovation. I've been preparing to live and study in Korea by learning the language and immersing myself in Korean culture through media and literature. I'm excited not just to study, but to grow personally and professionally in a new environment that values excellence, collaboration, and forward thinking.
After completing my studies, I hope to gain professional experience in Korea's tech sector. Long-term, I plan to return to Indonesia and establish a digital design lab that focuses on improving public services through inclusive technology. I want to apply the insights and skills I've gained to build systems that are functional, beautiful, and accessible for everyday users. I hope to foster collaborations between Indonesia and Korea in technology and design, creating mutual growth and innovation.
I am not only looking for a degree. I am looking for a transformation. I want to become a stronger designer, a more thoughtful researcher, and a contributor to real global change. I believe that design is not just about aesthetics-it is about people. And people deserve technology that works for them.
