Statement of Purpose for Political Science

Statement of Purpose for Political Science 1. Growth and family background My country by birth, the Republic of Korea, is now hot potato of world security and I still live in the country very comfortably. As we all know that, till date, almost all the Asian countries as well as the United States are in cooperation with one another to solve the crisis of nuclear weapons in our neighboring country, North Korea. Due to the aforesaid reasons, I have been exposed to the Korean security for a quite long time through history classes since I was young. For meeting our countries requirement, as a prerequisite, when I attained the age of 20, I have entered in the short term (26 months) military service of our country. As a result I naturally could experience the concern of reunification of our country and its political situation more than before. My father and mother who underwent the 6.25 (Korean Civil war in 1950) would tell me the whole war story since I was young. I was also told the story by several others impressively and have grown as one of our country members. In addition I also have been sensitive to the history of Korean war crisis and security thereof and taken responsibility for our country as the member. Although I haven't experienced war, I could feel how terrible it is, which I have facilitated through Internet or photos. Since I was majoring in English Education, my parents hoped me to be an English teacher. However I prayed and sought God's will. Finally I made up my mind to be committed to the greater and worthwhile work for the nations. 2. Motive of choosing the major (International Relations) in USA. I would like to work for some international organizations, which has real influences on to Korea. I wish that the problems happened in our country should be handled not by other countries, but by our own hands. Therefore, if I would study International Relations, I think I could learn much more practical studies that I can apply to our Nation in future. That's why I chose International Relations. Anyhow I could study in Korea, but I believe that a sense of internationalism is needed to solve the international and complex problems with the help of various peoples. So it has come to the conclusion that the United States sustained by a variety of races and classes can meet my needs sufficiently. I don't have the idea of living in US permanently. Once I finish my study in US and complete all the requirements, I will come back to my country and try to improve the situation of Korea. There is one who has similar idea like me. He is Dr.KunMo Chung, the president of Korea Academy of Science and Technology. Although my major that I want to take in US is different from his, I respect him and consider him as a role-model. Since he was young, he has been concerned about the future of science and technology of Korea. So he had made efforts on the development of Korea in terms of science. Now he is the member of Habitat for Humanity and serves the societies through this organization. Likewise I also want to improve the image of Korea in the world and be a model like him. 3. Major activities in my university. Since I majored in English Education, I naturally got involved in English teaching many times. When I was a freshman, I had been chosen as a representative of 1st graders and led them. As the representative, I was like an intermediary between faculty and students. So I could learn the function of intermediation to a certain extent. Annually my department holds a function called "Night of English Education Department". It includes such various events as 'play in English', 'recitation of English poem', 'pop songs' and so on. In 2001, I was the MC and presided over the function. Every student in my department tried to be cooperative with one another and gave their ideas to make better function. As for me, it was a little bit difficult to preside the function in Korean - English, however such a good experience. Every year the 4th graders in my department visit middle schools or high schools to experience English teaching as a student teacher. It takes about one month. I also went to one middle school in Andong (a traditional city of Korea) for about one month and learned many things. For example, it was such a good opportunity for me to teach the students directly. With the help of my guiding teacher, I could learn the heart and attitudes as a teacher. Further I had to lead the student teachers; however, all of them were so cooperative to me so I could finish the course well. Since English is a main subject in Korea, I also could demonstrate an English class in front of my professor and other teachers at the end of the course. It was so precious time for me to have teaching before people. 4. Extracurricular activities and specialties English is an important subject in Korea and I had many opportunities to teach students in group or individually. Especially TOEIC study is popular in Korean University students. So I would lead a TOEIC study group at the Andong National University, Korea. In fact it was stopped for a while for the preparation of examinations like TOEFL, GRE etc.. And I resumed it on November 28th, 2005. Every morning we have been meeting at 7:00 a.m. ~9:00 a.m. for TOEIC study. While I am leading the meeting, what I have learned is that punctuality and well-prepared lectures are essential to anyone to become a good leader. If I prepared study materials well, I could lead the meeting. Otherwise not. When it comes to teaching individually, it is same. If I was confident with the content to be taught, the meeting was comfortable. Here after I will have many meetings in the future, so I think these basic parts are important to make whole personality. I am a Christian. Every Sunday I go to church. In my church, I teach the students the Bible and instruct them as a Sunday school teacher. It could be a good chance to learn what kind of teacher I should be. Contrary to just giving knowledge, teaching Bible means I should be a model before the students. That is what I have learned since I became a Sunday school teacher. As I give Sunday service well, respect the old and care for the sick, the students also see what I do and follow after me. Sometimes I play the guitar and lead praise meeting. At first I felt awkward, but now I am proud of me for speaking before people and leading the meeting. Nowadays I have taught English to elementary and middle school students at a private educating institute at the Andong city for meeting my living expenses. So I have met a variety of students. My conclusions, made from the teaching experience, are Love and Interest. As I love the students and have created interest about them, the greatest educational efficiency appears. Especially when I see a feeble-minded child turning into a positive child, I feel worthwhile and think of the sentence, "Education is Impression". After finishing study in third grade, I felt that I need to improve my English conversation skill, so went to the Philippines to learn English more. I had stayed there from Aug. 2003 to Feb. 2004. I studied at La Salle university in Bacolod, Philippines. I had met a variety of people around the world and had chance to learn English on the spot. In order to have international relationship, I felt that such fluent English skill should be essential for me. When it comes to scholarships, I received excellent scholarship of entrance exam and full scholarship twice on the second term of first grade and on the second term of fourth grade. 5. Motive of studying abroad and plan on study As I mentioned above, I am concerned about the unification of our country. So I want to work for such international organizations as UN, UNICEF or UNCTAD which has direct influence on Korea. Furthermore I hope Korea could be the one who can help those countries suffering from starvation, war, AIDS and so on. Korea has been helped many times in time of need such as Korean war and IMF period. Still we receive much mercy from other countries, but I think it is time for us to take a part of burden in international societies. Jaytun army which has been sent in Iraq for peace and reconstruction could be a good example. In the foreseeable future, the world will see more activities done by Korea on the international stage. I am sure of it. At the beginning of living in USA, I want to focus on developing English conversation skill. And as I study my major, I expect various relationships with various people there. There would be the greatest effect when I study not only International Relations theoretically but also understand international relations in reality. Actually USA is multi racial country, so I hope to meet a variety of people and attend classes there and make good relations with them. Recently I have been chosen as a beneficiary to Rotary Scholarship. Through the activities as a goodwill ambassador of Rotary, I think I can meet many Rotarians in USA and have relations with them. As far as I am concerned, I hope to finish doctor's degree (Ph.D) from the U.S., and I have to secure a job in an international organization for fulfilling my dreams. 6. Aspirations I need a platform to exercise what I have learned or going to learn from the US University. So an international organization could be a proper place. The most desired place that I want to work for is UN. The UN staffs consist of various people and race. And the UN has very accurate information on each nation and helps them. Currently Mr.Kim Hak-Su, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, obtains excellent results. In detail, I want to get involved in transferring the resources and technologies into the third nations or developing countries. By aiding such countries with the resources, I hope the countries could stand by themselves. Through education and well-educated leaders, it could be possible for the countries to be self-reliance nations. At the beginning of the aiding, the help from advanced countries is absolutely needed. The United States of America has been helping many countries in history and will be in the future as well. Through helping the countries, the States had accumulated such a great experience and data. I am eager to learn them and want to take my part as a member of international societies. Thank you so much for reading my Statement of Purpose!