Assignment 1
Before arriving to Seattle, I stopped through Seoul, South Korea; Athens, Georgia; and Spokane, WA. I was born in Seoul, South Korea and lived in a homogenous place. Everyone was born and raised in the area; it was rare to see anyone that was foreign. When my mother decided to get her PhD in the US, my dad supported her, and my sister and I followed her to Athens, Georgia despite the fact that we had never traveled before or knew English. Being a college town, Athens was diverse. Seeing people from different was odd. For a few years, I participated in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program and struggled with the language. Years passed. I grew familiar with Athens and felt comfortable to call it home. I found communities such as the youth symphony that I could be a part of. Then we moved. After five years, we followed, yet again, my mother to Spokane. Here, I adjusted slightly smoother since I had something to attach to. Music became my way to find people to interact with. I joined the school orchestra and youth symphony. I made connections to people around Washington through State orchestras and camps. At the time, my family did not expect this American journey to last. We expected to stay a year, maximum. Surprisingly, the journey has become more than a little side trip. Though at times I wonder how my life would have been if I stayed in Korea or my mother never decided to continue studying, I am extremely thankful and glad of the opportunity and experience I have gotten. I would not have picked up the wonderful hobby of playing violin or have had the chance to attend college in the US.
The Honors program, as well as the great research opportunities, attracted me to the UW. Many of the courses offered for Honors are of topics I have not considered. When I first moved to America, I had to be receptive to the new things, but I was young and unconsciously accepted to adjust to my surroundings. I applied to the Honors program because I want to expose myself to new ideas and get new perspective on things just as I did when I first got here, except this time, I will be conscious of the changes.
The major I am interested in is science and math oriented, therefore, I would like to make sure I get a well-rounded education through Honors. The current honors course I am taking has caused me to question ideas normally accepted, such as science and mathematics, whether anything is the truth or simply a creation to satisfy the human nature to find the meaning in the world. Though I could have delved into these topics on my own, I appreciate having the option to take courses to help guide you through the ideas, since many of the abstract topics require not only developing your personal thoughts but also considering possibilities others may recognize, to be learned through discussions. Aside from learning new things, I hope to explore deeper into my interests. In high school, I was a part of the stage crew and specialized in lighting. I would like to continue and find ways to get involved in the theatre department. Also, I am continuing to play my violin through the University Symphony and lessons, and I hope to join small ensembles through the Chamber Music Club. There are probably many other things that I will be exposed to that I would not have imagined since there are many the resources at the UW, and it will help me to become more aware of what is going on and discover my interests.
The short term goal is to understand my classes. I want to be able to complete the series for the courses I am taking. At the end of the year, I plan to apply for the bioengineering department. I do not have a solid idea of what I would like to do in the future. At times, teaching interests me, but so does research; other times, becoming a surgeon or a violinist do. If I continue in the bioengineering field, I would like to work with neural engineering involving paralysis and ataxias. Whatever I end up doing, I want to not only like what I am doing but also enjoy the work. I would prefer to not be bound by my work, but sadly, all of these hopes are idealistic, and I do not expect all of them to be fulfilled. However, if any of them are, I would be satisfied.
The Honors program, as well as the great research opportunities, attracted me to the UW. Many of the courses offered for Honors are of topics I have not considered. When I first moved to America, I had to be receptive to the new things, but I was young and unconsciously accepted to adjust to my surroundings. I applied to the Honors program because I want to expose myself to new ideas and get new perspective on things just as I did when I first got here, except this time, I will be conscious of the changes.
The major I am interested in is science and math oriented, therefore, I would like to make sure I get a well-rounded education through Honors. The current honors course I am taking has caused me to question ideas normally accepted, such as science and mathematics, whether anything is the truth or simply a creation to satisfy the human nature to find the meaning in the world. Though I could have delved into these topics on my own, I appreciate having the option to take courses to help guide you through the ideas, since many of the abstract topics require not only developing your personal thoughts but also considering possibilities others may recognize, to be learned through discussions. Aside from learning new things, I hope to explore deeper into my interests. In high school, I was a part of the stage crew and specialized in lighting. I would like to continue and find ways to get involved in the theatre department. Also, I am continuing to play my violin through the University Symphony and lessons, and I hope to join small ensembles through the Chamber Music Club. There are probably many other things that I will be exposed to that I would not have imagined since there are many the resources at the UW, and it will help me to become more aware of what is going on and discover my interests.
The short term goal is to understand my classes. I want to be able to complete the series for the courses I am taking. At the end of the year, I plan to apply for the bioengineering department. I do not have a solid idea of what I would like to do in the future. At times, teaching interests me, but so does research; other times, becoming a surgeon or a violinist do. If I continue in the bioengineering field, I would like to work with neural engineering involving paralysis and ataxias. Whatever I end up doing, I want to not only like what I am doing but also enjoy the work. I would prefer to not be bound by my work, but sadly, all of these hopes are idealistic, and I do not expect all of them to be fulfilled. However, if any of them are, I would be satisfied.