A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
When I was five years old, I left my familiar world of Kimchi, Choco Pie, and Korean candy to be thrown into a world of unpredictable happenings. Since then, my life has been a continuous cycle of moving and adjusting. Such abrupt changes in environment brought confusion and fear, but the wealth of experience I gained through these travels has molded me into a flexible and stronger person.
My first destination was New Zealand, the land of sheep, cows, and white people. Here I was exposed to a very free and wild culture compared to Korea's rigid societal values. While children my age in Korea were already memorizing the multiplication tables, I was busy playing on the trampoline and enjoying delightful dairy products. I loved the kiwi fruit, developed a "Kiwi" accent, and was soon enough called a "Kiwi". When I thought I had found my place in this foreign land, it was time to move on- to the mysterious land of China.
China was very different from our previous settlement. The people were rude, and the streets were dirty and crowded. It was a shock when I first encountered the infamous Chinese bathroom: no doors, no toilet seat, only a mere hole in the ground. Unlike in New Zealand, it took a while before I became accustomed to the ways of this foreign land. I must admit that I initially felt superior to these people of rudimentary manners. It was only when I tried to appreciate their culture that I started to understand them. Without knowing it, I became so assimilated in Chinese society that I found myself behaving like them- I soon ate, talked, and looked like a Chinese.
Clad in my "Made in China" clothes, I moved to Thailand in hopes of receiving a well rounded education. The Thai people were quiet, polite, and respectful. One of the things I hear the most here is, "Jai yen," a Thai phrase meaning "calm down." This has been a challenge for a Korean like me, as my culture emphasizes "Bali, bali", or "hurry, hurry." Although the Korean side of me constantly wants to shout "Faster," I am trying to become accustomed to the slow and calm nature of the Thai people.
Being exposed to such diverse cultures has undeniably allowed me to see a wider view of the world. I have made countless mistakes because of my ignorance of others' values, but they gave me opportunities to grow and learn. As a prospective college student, I am excited to have the chance to share my imperfect yet meaningful experiences that challenged me to see beyond my narrow set of codes. I can proudly tell my colleagues that my life as a wandering youth was definitely worth leaving my delicious Korean snacks.
When I was five years old, I left my familiar world of Kimchi, Choco Pie, and Korean candy to be thrown into a world of unpredictable happenings. Since then, my life has been a continuous cycle of moving and adjusting. Such abrupt changes in environment brought confusion and fear, but the wealth of experience I gained through these travels has molded me into a flexible and stronger person.
My first destination was New Zealand, the land of sheep, cows, and white people. Here I was exposed to a very free and wild culture compared to Korea's rigid societal values. While children my age in Korea were already memorizing the multiplication tables, I was busy playing on the trampoline and enjoying delightful dairy products. I loved the kiwi fruit, developed a "Kiwi" accent, and was soon enough called a "Kiwi". When I thought I had found my place in this foreign land, it was time to move on- to the mysterious land of China.
China was very different from our previous settlement. The people were rude, and the streets were dirty and crowded. It was a shock when I first encountered the infamous Chinese bathroom: no doors, no toilet seat, only a mere hole in the ground. Unlike in New Zealand, it took a while before I became accustomed to the ways of this foreign land. I must admit that I initially felt superior to these people of rudimentary manners. It was only when I tried to appreciate their culture that I started to understand them. Without knowing it, I became so assimilated in Chinese society that I found myself behaving like them- I soon ate, talked, and looked like a Chinese.
Clad in my "Made in China" clothes, I moved to Thailand in hopes of receiving a well rounded education. The Thai people were quiet, polite, and respectful. One of the things I hear the most here is, "Jai yen," a Thai phrase meaning "calm down." This has been a challenge for a Korean like me, as my culture emphasizes "Bali, bali", or "hurry, hurry." Although the Korean side of me constantly wants to shout "Faster," I am trying to become accustomed to the slow and calm nature of the Thai people.
Being exposed to such diverse cultures has undeniably allowed me to see a wider view of the world. I have made countless mistakes because of my ignorance of others' values, but they gave me opportunities to grow and learn. As a prospective college student, I am excited to have the chance to share my imperfect yet meaningful experiences that challenged me to see beyond my narrow set of codes. I can proudly tell my colleagues that my life as a wandering youth was definitely worth leaving my delicious Korean snacks.