In this blog post, I’ll focus on my academic experiences, school activities, examples of consideration and collaboration from my high school years, as well as my motivation for applying and the preparation process.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
When I entered high school, the sudden increase in workload and the pressure of having to prepare for both the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) and early admissions applications hit me all at once, plunging me into a deep slump. Unable to adapt to high school academics, my grades failed to improve—and in some subjects, they actually dropped—which made me feel increasingly discouraged. My fear that my grades would plummet if I continued on this path grew stronger. Days passed where I lost interest in studying altogether and felt completely listless.
At that time, an unexpected turning point came in the form of an opportunity to audit a college course. The Food and Nutrition lecture, which I was able to take at the university where my older cousin was enrolled, exposed me to specialized knowledge different from what I was learning in high school and gave me the fresh realization that “Oh, there’s this kind of study too.” The thought that I could pursue the studies I wanted in college reignited my interest and enjoyment in learning.
Once my interest was piqued, I began to see high school classes in a different light. I came to realize that there is a reason behind every subject, and that the foundational knowledge learned in high school is an essential building block for understanding college-level material. So, I focused more intently during class, made an effort to fully grasp the underlying principles, and built a solid foundation. As a result, my grades naturally began to improve, and the experience of overcoming that slump solidified my attitude toward learning and my sense of purpose.
Major Extracurricular Activities and Reflections
The after-school science lab club provided a space to satisfy my curiosity beyond the standard curriculum. I was able to deepen my scientific thinking by conducting experiments described in textbooks and by independently researching and experimenting with topics related to food, nutrition, and microorganisms. After encountering food and nutrition studies in college courses, my interest in food-related experiments grew significantly; I selected experiments using readily available materials, carried them out myself, and gained experience connecting theory with practice.
I became firmly convinced that food is an integral part of our lives and a crucial factor in determining a healthy quality of life. As I learned about microorganisms and enzymes and confirmed through experiments which foods promote health and which pose risks, my interest in food engineering grew even stronger. I cultivated a spirit of inquiry by studying in a way that solidified the fundamentals of chemistry and biology within the curriculum while delving deeper into areas related to food engineering.
My experience leading the planning and operation of the festival as president of the Life Sciences Club helped me understand the true meaning of leadership and collaboration. Our club’s booth was very popular because it visually showcased our experimental results, so I felt a great deal of pressure as president. Rather than making decisions on my own, I focused on gathering diverse opinions through meetings and creating an atmosphere where club members could participate with a sense of responsibility.
During the festival preparations, I constantly sought out unique ideas and creatively reimagined our experimental displays to create spectacular visual attractions. By sharing ideas and exchanging feedback with my club members, and by channeling everyone’s passion into the preparations, we were able to wrap up the event without a hitch. As a result, our club’s booth won first place and was praised for its concept that blended tradition with innovation. Through this experience, I gained a firsthand understanding of the power of collaboration and how organized efforts toward a common goal can produce remarkable results.
Writing About Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation and My Reflections
Climbing Mount Halla during a school trip to Jeju Island in my sophomore year of high school was an experience that vividly taught me the value of cooperation and consideration. Since I didn’t enjoy hiking and was not very physically fit, I was initially reluctant to participate, and as the day wore on, I began to fall behind. When climbing steep sections, it was so difficult that I wanted to give up.
Whenever that happened, there were friends who encouraged me and adjusted their pace to match mine. Knowing that I wasn’t very fit, they walked alongside me, cheered me on, and slowed down to keep up with me. Thanks to their small acts of encouragement and consideration, I gradually regained my strength and was able to complete the climb. If I had been alone, I likely would have given up, but because we were together, I was able to make it to the top.
Through the climb up Mount Halla, I realized firsthand that consideration, sharing, and cooperation are not merely virtues, but forces that actually make a difference. Since then, I’ve come to reflect more often on the importance of seemingly small acts of consideration and assistance, and I’ve made an effort to practice an attitude of reaching out first to help and cooperate with others.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
Auditing college lectures was a pivotal moment that helped me clarify my career path. While taking a course in Food and Nutrition, I developed an interest in food itself and its impact on health, which naturally led me to discover the field of food engineering. Recognizing that the foundational subjects I took in high school would serve as a crucial basis for studying food engineering, I focused my studies on solidifying my academic foundation in those areas.
Through after-school science research activities and participation in the life sciences club at school, I strove to verify and expand my knowledge of food engineering through experiments. Additionally, I made concrete preparations by seeking out upperclassmen majoring in food engineering to hear about their academic experiences and advice, reading relevant books, and planning experiments on my own. The stories of my seniors’ research gave me confidence that this path might be right for me, and my consistent learning through experiments and reading helped me adapt more easily to the major.
From a young age, my parents never forced a specific career path on me but patiently waited for me to discover my own dreams. Thanks to this, I was able to gain diverse experiences and have the time and opportunity to reflect on my own, and through that process, I was able to connect my vague desire to “do work that improves the quality of life” to the specific major of food engineering. My parents’ trust and support had a profound influence on my upbringing, and building on that foundation, I have strived to further develop my academic research abilities.
I am confident that I am well-prepared to engage in in-depth academic research at the Department of Food Engineering at Chung-Ang University. The foundational knowledge I acquired in high school, the practical experience gained through club activities and experiments, and my career exploration through interviews with upperclassmen and reading have all laid the groundwork for me to adapt well to my major and contribute meaningfully. Moving forward, I will continue to pursue experiments and studies diligently to become a food industry expert and contribute to research that enhances the quality of life.
