My father has always reminded me that I am very lucky to have the opportunity to study in American schools. My cousins back home in Korea are still struggling with the English language, quite like I used to struggle, especially during my first year here as a college student. I was afraid that my mistakes would be laughed at, and was even more afraid that I would not even realize what those mistakes were. I had always been the fearless kind, the one who took the lead and the one people could rely on because of my self-confidence. In Korea, I was a sports enthusiast; I tried every kind of daring sport. So, I used to have a daredevil image. People did not dislike me because of this though, because I still took the time to join community projects. I also helped manage my family’s business from the time I turned twelve. It might have started with something simple, like manning the shop, but it had taught me responsibility and the ability to interact with various kinds of customers. However, the new environment seemed to strip me off that confidence completely. Because of this, I sometimes would have severe homesickness and had to make frequent calls to my family. I managed to put myself back into practical mode though, reminding myself of the cost of overseas calls. On campus and elsewhere, I was able to practice my English. I was no longer the person I used to be proud of, the person who always knew what to do and seemed to do things according as planned. However, I became a new person I could be proud of: I had learned how to swallow my pride and keep on speaking even my English was much less than perfect. With the aid of good American friends, and even other foreign students who were here years before me, I was able to find a niche where there was no need to be ashamed. The time when I learned how to laugh at myself was the time that I was also more than willing to work longer hours on the English language. And, so I did. I read English novels and magazines, and watched movies that had been recommended by professors. Finally, I knew that I was making good progress.
I have graduated with excellent grades, and with a proficiency for English. Now, I think it is time to take the next step, be braver,and earn my MBA degree. My father has sent me here with the investment of not just money, but also his very heart, and the desire to make me something different. He wants me to achieve something better than what he has achieved in life. Because of this, I want him to experience the fruits of his labor by taking home an MBA degree that will help our small business prosper.
Photo Credit : sebh
An MBA degree is something that I want to have for myself. And I believe that I have come a long way for it. Ten years ago, I was just the average shy college freshman. But I have managed to come out of that particular personality. I engaged myself in activities that have developed me into the confident person I am now. I was involved in different college organizations back in my college years. This, I believe, propelled me to take more responsibilities. I also became exposed to so many things. These particular experiences that I had back in college became my ultimate survival kit in my career.
Now that I am on the verge of making my dream a reality, I really feel so excited and pumped up. The MBA program I chose focuses on International Relations. I believe that this program would be an avenue for me to learn more foreign languages. I am a fluent speaker of Spanish. As a matter of fact, I have been immersed in the Spanish culture for quite a long time. This new experience made me believe that the business field is a global industry. It is a never-ending but fulfilling quest. Thus, it is best that I be equipped with the necessary information. This particular MBA program would help me in preparation for my planned career expansion. Aside from this, I want to put up my own international management consulting company. And the curriculum of this MBA program would help me to do that.
Although my colleagues say that I have achieved so many things, I still feel that I only have mediocre accomplishments. This is brought by my search for a higher form of learning. After all, humans can only learn so much. I want to elevate my standard so I could say that I have improved myself. And an MBA degree will help me prepare for this crucial transformation. Aside from this, I think that going back to school is a humbling experience. School is a place where I would be able to refresh myself. For me, enrolling in an academic institution would feel like going back to the basics. It is an avenue to make myself adept to the upcoming changes and improvements in my chosen field. And after all the hard work, it is nice to come back to a place that would feel like home.
There is still more than enough room for improvement after I get my MBA degree. I know that finishing this academic requirement would not be the last step; it is just the first of many. And I feel that the program of ______ University would assist me as I climb my ladder of success.
Photo Credit : David the Pimp Daddy
