The following is a letter from Alice Kim, a recent graduate, about her journey after leaving Christbridge. Alice, we’re so blessed by you and proud of you! Lord bless you!
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I just completed my 6 months tough journey of going through the college entrance process.
I applied for six schools, and I was on a waitlist for three other universities. However, I got an acceptance from Kyung Hee University. Kyung Hee University is one of the top schools in Korea, ranked #6.
This school was my second choice in terms of the reputation of the school but also my first choice regarding all the programs and activities that they offer.
Deciding my major was pretty depressing for me because I’ve been wanting to study Psychology, but surprisingly not so many schools provide Psychology classes in Korea. So I had to choose a different major, and I decided to major in International Studies. By choosing this major, I am considering working in NGOs in the future, and this decision made me hope to get into Kyung Hee University since it is the only school in Korea that has a connection with the United Nations.
Relinquishing my interest in Psychology was not easy; however, studying International relations started to seem interesting to me, and I realized how much I didn’t know anything about what career options are out there.
After graduation, I started to study for the TOEFL test and three other English tests right away. For two months, I volunteered at the World Aquatics Championships, wrote my personal essay, and studied for three tests at the same time.
After I sent out my college application, I left home and went straight to Seoul to prepare for another English essay test and interviews. 24 hours a day was never enough for me.
I think the reason why I was accepted by this school is the number of service hours I have done for the last four years because a number of students with 4.0 and 3.9 GPA didn’t get accepted. Not many students have a total of 400 service hours, nor even have an opportunity to serve.
Everything I was doing was all challenging for me, and I was very stressed by the pressure that I really had to get accepted to universities or to do well on tests. I was really desperate and hungry to do things that will ensure me to get into any school. However, I didn’t really know how to deal with the pressure and stress.
While I was studying for the English Essay test, I read an article written by Arnold Tonybee, and it said that “as a response to a challenge in a situation of special difficulty roused people to make a hitherto unprecedented effort.”
I realized that going through stressful situations means that I have an opportunity to grow. Even though the situation might be painful, after accomplishing it, I can gain confidence and strength that even if another challenge like this comes to me again, I can overcome it. “Confidence is the key to success.” However, I could only have done it by responding to the challenge. The stressful situation became comfortable to me by overcoming it, and that’s the way to grow.
After I look back on what I’ve done for the last half a year, I am glad that I took everything seriously, and I am very happy that I made my parents and families happy too. When I got the acceptance, my parents and I jumped around the house all night haha.
I think I really made a good decision studying in the United States, going to CBA to know about God, about personal growth and values; and settling my path to hope to work in such an organization that works and serves people. I really feel like, after all, God was calling me to do something to serve and care for others, and to study something in relation to this.
Anyways, I appreciate you guys for providing me an opportunity to do tons of service projects, a chance to know God who I could always rely on, and teaching me the purpose of my existence.
I’ve been enjoying my free time for about two weeks now, which I had longed and waited for the last half a year. 🙂
Say “Hi” to the faculty and students for me, too!! 🙂
Lord Bless you!
Alice Kim
