Earn The Respect Of Another

I completed an associate degree in Art at the Seattle Central College in the Fall of 2019. I also have an IELTS score of 6.0. Some may think that my English language ability is lacking. Others may think that it is sufficient. I am a South Korean, after all, and my mother tongue is very different from that in the US. It goes without saying that language is one of the main challenges in my academic life. There were instances when I had to grope for words, trying to comprehend instructions in English.

I persevered and enlisted the help of my newly-found friends. It was challenging as I had to translate English concepts into Korean before I can get a full grasp of the idea.

My perseverance paid off. When I marched up the stage during graduation, I knew the challenge has only become greater. Pursuing a major in Visual Art will mean I have to improve on my English communication abilities. Traveling to other parts of the country is my favorite pastime.

It does not only refreshes my mind. The experiences I shared with different people also helped me hone my communication and interpersonal skills. Taking photographs, drawing, and making crafts are also incredible outlets. I find these activities to be especially useful in sharpening my creative talents, while helping me address gaps in both interpersonal and communication skills.

I remember how my mom used to scold me every time she catches me doodling and scribbling on my bedroom walls using crayons.

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I also filled the pages of my notebook with drawings and sketches. I cut pictures from magazines and pasted them in an old photo album that I turned into a scrapbook. It was only years later that I realized I have a knack for the arts. I began collecting stamps, not intending to become a philatelist. I drew inspiration from the stamps to create my own artwork. I visited art galleries and other similar establishments, knowing that this will be very useful in the future. Historical images also fascinate me.

My dream is to have my own art gallery that showcases man’s finest work. I want others to understand that art pieces are not only beautiful to look at. They can also be sources of inspiration and motivation. I have seen people who are ill or feeling blue finding relief in art. They can draw, paint, or create. Or, they can try to introspect and find their inner strengths. For me to work towards this vision, I have to get only the best education in visual art. I have done my homework and determined that the University of Washington-Seattle is the best institution for helping me shape my future. Their program prepares aspiring artists like me for the unique challenges of the new century.

The faculty supports their students like any parent would their children. Opportunities also abound whereby students can grow holistically. I am cognizant of the challenges that await me the moment I enter the halls of the UW-Seattle. That is why I volunteer as an art tutor to students. It is my way of strengthening the competencies I have gained from my previous school. It is also a good way to prepare me for the demanding role of being a student of the University. I never understood many of our customs in South Korea. As a child, all I could ever do was to obey our parents’ commands and respect their wishes. One can never raise a voice or change one’s tone over an issue. I remember my father inviting an employee to his office. He never wanted anyone else to hear what he has to say to the employee. I did not understand it at the time. Now I know.

Social harmony is a must so as not to hurt others’ “kibun”. This is a very vague concept that few non-Koreans understand. It is the most important aspect of interpersonal relationships. We take care not to hurt another person’s “kibun”. This will help them preserve their dignity and their personhood, while also strengthening our own. There are several things I have learned from this custom. The most important is respect. While other cultures say that one has to earn another’s respect, I believe that respect among humans is a given.

I can always respect others, regardless of who that person is or whether he respects me too or not. This is the kibun concept that is ingrained in our culture. Unfortunately, not many Korean youngsters understand. You can say that the multicultural nature of the US challenged my “kibun”. While there are those who do not show any respect at all, there are those who managed to show me that “kibun” can have different faces. I have made friends from different cultural backgrounds. I learned that I can be South Korean among a group of people from different nationalities. They do not know “kibun”. They only know “respect”.