In this blog post, I’ll share my reasons for choosing Chinese as my major, my academic plan, and my career goals after graduation.
Motivation for Enrollment
When I was in middle school, my older brother and I used to enjoy watching Chinese martial arts movies, often watching one a day. As I watched the movies relying on subtitles, it suddenly occurred to me that I could enjoy them even more if I knew Chinese, so I began studying the language on my own. Ever since I became fascinated with Chinese, my interest has remained strong, and during my sophomore year of high school, I won the Grand Prize in the high school division at a Chinese speech contest hosted by ○○ University. At this competition, I received praise for moving and entertaining the audience with my speech titled “China and the Color Red.”
Academic Plans and Goals
First, upon entering the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, I recognize that I lack a foundational knowledge of Chinese studies, so I will build a basic understanding and pursue a variety of courses to become capable of practical work. I plan to participate in a Chinese current affairs debate study group and actively engage in native-language lectures on Chinese trade and economics.
Since focusing solely on one field can narrow one’s perspective, I will meet people from various fields to broaden my horizons. During my undergraduate years, I will steadily participate in training programs for international conference specialists while studying for the certification exam.
Additionally, I will conduct extensive research on regional conditions in China to develop the practical skills needed for swift and accurate information exchange with Chinese-speaking regions.
Post-Graduation Plans
After graduation, I plan to complete the Practical Expert Course in Chinese Trade and Marketing hosted by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea. I understand this program allows participants to focus on a three-month on-site experience and language training in China and offers local employment opportunities to those seeking work; I intend to gain practical experience through this program.
In the future, I aspire to become an international trade researcher and apply my skills in China. I aim to contribute to facilitating communication between Korean companies and China by providing research, consulting, and legal advisory services in the fields of trade and investment to government agencies as well as domestic and international companies.
Self-Introduction
My life motto is, “Always think positively and be faithful to what is given to you.” I believe that positive thinking is linked to self-confidence. People cannot expect to encounter only good things, and while studying, one inevitably faces unexpected situations. I feel that without a positive mindset in everyday life, it is difficult to respond appropriately in the moment, so I frequently read books that help me think positively.
In middle school, I felt discouraged because my grades didn’t reflect the effort I put in. After that, for my next exam, I decided to break down my goals into specific steps and record them in a small notebook. For example, if my math score was low, I’d set a goal to improve by a certain number of points within a set period. I created a notebook to track my mistakes, focused on studying the types of problems I frequently got wrong, and then took practice exams to develop my own test-taking strategy.
I found that setting and achieving both small and large goals—whether for a month, a day, or an hour—to make my dreams come true helped me gain confidence. After realizing that these efforts foster a positive mindset, I’ve made it a habit to create systematic plans for everything I do and believe in the power of positivity.
