Personal Statement

I was first thrust into a new world with a different culture and language at twelve years old, when my parents moved to Kazakhstan for business. At the time, I attended an international school where many of the students were either from the US, Korea, or Kazakhstan. Friendships tended to be formed based on common nationality so that everyone could use their most comfortable native language, which made friendships across nationalities difficult. It didn’t seem right to me that different languages were enough to divide us, so I decided to learn Korean and Russian so I could approach new friends in the language they were most comfortable with. Korean language classes were not offered in my city, but as Russian was the primary language of Kazakhstan, I studied Russian and eventually got to the level where I could casually converse with my Russian neighbors and manage on my own in the city. Two years later my family and I moved to India. Much like my school in Kazakhstan, this international school had a large Korean population, which inspired me to study Korean where my love for languages had first begun.

When I entered college, I realized foreign languages and cultures are where my passions really lie and I jumped at the chance to formally study Russian and Korean. Despite my Russian Studies major, I have also strongly focused on my Korean studies and even received a scholarship to represent Smith for a month at the Ewha Women’s University Summer Program in Seoul. While in Seoul, I spent every waking moment studying the language, exploring the city, participating in language exchanges, and becoming more enamored with the culture. At Ewha, along with Korean language, I took a course on traditional Korean fan dance which I am particularly interested in pursuing as an extracurricular during my time as an ETA. Having lived abroad for many years, I had no trouble adjusting to life in Korea, and my immersive experience with Ewha only strengthened my resolve to explore careers in linguistics and international relations. I am determined to make the most of my time in Korea as an ETA by further exploring Korean culture while providing my students with an enriching education and maximizing their exposure to the English language. As a cultural ambassador for the US, I intend to turn all my students into capable global citizens, comfortable and curious in the face of diversity or unfamiliarity. I want to teach elementary-aged students because they are more open to accepting new/unfamiliar ideas, and the best way to teach joy in diversity is by starting them young. I am always proud of how much my students grow during our time together, and it brings me joy to know I helped them in that journey.

During my time as an ETA I naturally intend to continue my Korean language studies. Having completed three full years of university-level language study by graduation, I intend to take the fullest advantage of the opportunity to live in Korea and cross the elusive threshold into fluency. Through casual learning experiences such as sharing meals with friends and interacting with fellow dancers, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of Korean values and cultural norms around respect and relationships, and share my own cultural perspective and dance, such as the southern square dance. I also have a particular interest in sustainability and food waste, so I hope to learn more on the values and structures that led to Korea’s success with widespread composting, and how they compare to American values around food and consumption.

With the help of the Fulbright ETA program, I will improve my skills in international communication, navigate cultural barriers, better understand the Korean cultural approach to the environment, improve my Korean language, and carry these experiences to prepare me for the next steps towards my career goals in international relations and global sustainability.