1.

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively

influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
(currently 410 words)

At first glance, our school dances seem like a blast. An array of red and blue disco lights would
be flashing onto the gym floor as the students danced their socks off to the loud, almost raucous
music playing in the background. But as soon as you look to the side, you see another group of
students who don’t seem so enthusiastic about the night. They look overwhelmed and confused,
and are watching the students on the dance floor as if they want to join but don’t quite know
how.

These students are the international students at the Quarry Lane School, and although they
make up nearly 40% of our student body, they lack participation when it comes to school events
due to the steep language barriers and cultural differences they have with domestic students.
As one of the only international students completely fluent in English, and consequently one of
the only international students who actually interact with the domestic students, I noticed this
lack of camaraderie between the two groups and decided that it was time to make a change.
I took the first step in making this change by becoming a member of student leadership. I
started out by making small changes, such as tweaking our school dance playlist to include
more songs that were well-known both in the US and internationally. As international student
engagement in school events grew, I began to make bigger changes. For example, I became
the fundraising manager of the Journalism Club, and I was able to sell food that international
students preferred through the club food fundraisers that I managed and also help other
international students establish different clubs of their own.

These changes significantly increased the engagement of international students in school

events, and by participating more frequently in school events, they also interacted with domestic
students more often. Through the efforts of the leadership committee and I, the seemingly
imperishable gap that previously divided the international and domestic students was now gone.
Witnessing this change in our school community is when I realized how much power strong
leadership can hold. I love leadership not only because it gives me a sense of responsibility and
duty, but also because it bonds and unites people together. Being able to make this kind of
change to my community brings a smile to my face, and I hope to continue being a strong
leader not only in my school community, but also wherever I go next.

However, not all my ideas were always well-received. There was a lot of backlash from
domestics students who complained that ticket prices for international and domestic students
should be the same, and even some leadership members opposed to having international food
in fundraisers. At first, I was completely stubborn with my ideas and refused to change them
whenever someone criticized or disapproved of them. But as I grew and improved as a leader, I
realized that not all of the things I had in mind were the best possible things for the student body
as a whole. I had to learn how to compromise and understand that it was impossible to satisfy
the needs of everyone. I wanted to be a reasonable, practical leader who gave students the
best school events and gatherings that I possibly could. So, instead of lowering ticket prices for
the international students only, I lowered ticket prices for the entire student body. I decided to
sell a mix of both international and domestic food at school fundraisers.

My experience as a student leader made me realize that the hardest part about
leadership was not implementing your ideas, but admitting that your ideas may not always be
spot on and having the willingness to compromise to satisfy the desires of more people. Even if
I wasn’t able to implement my original ideas for including international students into our school
events, I was still able to increase participation by finding the middle ground for both domestic
and international students. I was glad to see that, at the next dance, the international students
on the side of the gym were on the dance floor grooving to the music with the domestic
students.

As it was my first year participating in the Student Council, it took a lot of courage for me to
present my idea.

Thankfully, the Student Council approved. At the next dance, I noticed that international
students were on the dance floor, having a blast. I continued my efforts in giving the
international students at our school by organizing food fundraisers that included food non-native
to the US and making sure that international students were having their fun at pep rallys and
other school events. I’ll never forget seeing Christine’s wonderful smile as she grooved to the
music with both international and domestics students. Although it took some out-of-the-box
thinking, I’m glad that I was finally able to give international students a voice at our school.

4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or

worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. (currently 385 words)

“When I was a child, I remember my dad coming home from work with two mini burgers. This
was all we could afford for dinner. My dad and I would each eat one of the burgers, and my
mom would fill her stomach with free refills of soda. I never wanted us to be hungry again, so I
decided to come to a place where I can receive an education and provide for my family.”

This is what Julie, an exchange student from Ecuador, told me on the first day of my internship
at the Ecuadorian embassy in South Korea. Julie was just one of several exchange students I
worked with during my internship, and her and other young Ecuadorian students came to Korea
to flee the poverty, gang violence, and political oppression present in their home country and to
find a new life and education. As a summer intern, it was my job to help Julie and her peers
adjust to life as Korean university students. I helped them choose their classes, showed them
how to get involved with clubs, and introduced them to Korean culture through various events
held throughout the summer.

Julie’s story of hunger and perseverance both saddened and inspired me. When she first
mentioned that her mom would only drink soda for dinner, I was completely shocked. She also
mentioned that her family had to save up for weeks just to purchase a two-dollar birthday cake
for her dad. These stories of her life in Ecuador served as a wakeup call for me. After meeting
Julie, I was highly motivated to make sure that these students, who had all left their lives behind
to achieve a better life in Korea, were able to adjust to life in their new home.
Throughout my internship, I worked with nearly 50 Ecuadorean students. I befriended each one
of them, learning about their previous lives, their daily struggles, and their dreams for the future.
This opportunity reminded me of how privileged and lucky I am to be living in a place where I
can eat, drink, and be healthy without fear of starvation or persecution. For that, I am thankful,
and I hope that I taught them even a fraction of what they taught me: Always be humble and
grateful for what you have.

5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken
to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic
achievement? (currently 315 words)
At the age of seven, I was forced to move in with a group of people I did not know. Their
lifestyle, behaviors, and culture were strange to me, and my family, who had supported and
raised me for as long as I knew, became stripped away from me in an instant. Seems pretty
tragic, right?

Little did I know that this seemingly tragic moment would become a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to become self-aware of my independence, and ultimately, to develop a powerful
daily motivation to thrive. As I grew up physically distant from my parents, I had to take charge
of my own responsibilities, and that very ownership of my duties resulted in my focused
advancement in everything I did as well as my willingness to be challenged and pushed to my
limits. I enrolled in four higher-level courses for the International Baccalaureate program
because I yearned to satisfy my unlimited curiosities in a wide array of topics. I grew as an
integral member of my school community through my leadership at the Student Council. I
participated in archery to understand the responsibilities and challenges that come with being
an athlete. These achievements are a direct reflection of my independence that progressed
throughout my stay in the United States. Independence asked for responsibilities -- and
responsibilities gave me an opportunity to grow as a student, leader, athlete, and person.

Growing up away from your family, culture, and hometown can be a sad and lonely experience,
but I turned the very sadness and loneliness I felt into an opportunity to develop independence
and curiosity. There were times when I deeply missed my home and family, but I have no
regrets. I took charge of my own destiny without succumbing to the sadness of detachment, and
I couldn't be more proud of myself for transforming the challenge that I faced into a means of
developing independence and curiosity.

No, I am not a refugee who had to flee a dangerous warzone, and no, I have never been
detained and tortured by government authorities for protesting. These are Malala Yousafzai or
Greta Thunberg stuff, really. My challenge is what every person at my age would experience
under similar circumstances: a deep sense of aloofness and isolation that are inevitable when
you are physically distant from your home and parents. My story, then, is one of transforming
that very challenge into my personal strength and passion.

At the age of seven, I was forced to move in with a group of people I did not know. Their
lifestyle, behaviors, and culture were strange to me, and my family, who had supported and
raised me for as long as I knew, became stripped away from me in an instant. Seems pretty
tragic, right?

However, little did I know that this seemingly tragic moment would become a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to become self-aware of my independence, and ultimately, to develop a powerful
daily motivation to thrive. As I grew up physically distant from my parents, I had to take charge
of my own responsibilities, and that very ownership of my duties resulted in my focused
advancement in everything I did as well as my willingness to be challenged and pushed to my
limits. I enrolled in four higher-level courses for the International Baccalaureate program
because I yearned to satisfy my unlimited curiosities in a wide array of topics. I grew as an
integral member of my school community through my leadership at the Student Council. I
participated in archery to understand the responsibilities and challenges that come with being
an athlete. These achievements are a direct reflection of my independence that progressed
throughout my stay in the United States. Independence asked for responsibilities -- and
responsibilities gave me an opportunity to grow as a student, leader, athlete, and person.
Growing up away from your family, culture, and hometown can be a sad and lonely experience,
but I turned the very sadness and loneliness I felt into an opportunity to develop independence
and curiosity. There were times when I wished that I had never left my family and friends to live
in the United States. But these moments made me stronger. I took charge of my own destiny
without succumbing to the sadness of detachment, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself for
transforming the challenge that I faced into a means of developing independence and curiosity.

But those moments made me stronger. Whenever I feel down, I remember why I came
to this country. When I think about the opportunities I have, I remember how privileged and
lucky I am to be in a country that values not only a student’s academic abilities, but also their
creativity, leadership, and social skills. I’ve become a more well-rounded individual, excelling in
academics, sports, and music. I enjoy interests and passions that students in Korea don’t even
have the chance to think about. Whenever I reflect on the benefits I’ve received from studying
abroad, I get the courage to hold on a little longer. Although I miss my family, my friends, and
my life back home, I remind myself that I am here for something bigger and better.

I have no regrets. Living without my parents is hard. It is lonely, sad, and sometimes
terrifying. But this experience has made me a more independent person. It has taught me how
to survive on my own, without my parents. It has taught me to be responsible for myself and for
others. And it has made me stronger.

I wake up alone on Christmas morning, every year. Most kids spend their Christmas
opening up new gifts and presents, singing Christmas carols, and having fun with their family.
But it is different for me. For the past eleven years, there have been no presents under the tree.

I’ve been living apart from my parents since I was 10 years old. When I first came to the
United States, I loved the lifestyle here. In Korea, there are strict rules for children. There is no
playing and no messing around. All children do is study all day, every day. But I wanted to
spend my childhood doing more than just sitting on a desk. So at the age of 10, I decided to
leave my family, my friends, and my precious puppy to start a new life in America.

Starting my new life wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I had many things to learn
by myself, things that other children were taught by their parents. I had to learn the most basic
principles, like honesty, manners, and discipline, without the guidance of anyone else except my
own observations and emotions.

I often feel extremely lonely. I spend Thanksgiving and Christmas alone, and my birthday
passes by just like any other day. But whenever I feel down, I remember why I came to this
country. When I think about the opportunities I have, I remember how privileged I am. I’ve
become a more well-rounded individual, excelling in academics, sports, and music. I enjoy
interests and passions that students in Korea don’t even have the chance to think about.
Whenever I reflect on the benefits I’ve received from studying abroad, I get the courage to hold
on a little longer. I miss my family, my friends, and my life back home, but I am here for
something bigger and better.
 I have no regrets. Living without my parents has made me a more independent person. It
has taught me how to do things on my own, without my parents. And it has made me stronger.

Most kids spend their Christmas mornings opening up new gifts and presents, singing
Christmas carols, and having fun with their family. But it is different for me. Every Christmas, I
wake up alone. For the past eleven years, there have been no presents under the tree, no one
to go Christmas shopping with, and no one to hang my stocking, let alone fill it with anything.

I first moved to the United States when I was nine years old. At that time, I had no idea
what I was getting myself into. Originally, the plan was for me to move back to Korea after my
mom finished her year of teaching at a graduate school in the states. However, things did not
turn out the way I expected.

When I first came to the United States, I loved the lifestyle here. In Korea, children have
no freedom. They are not given opportunities to explore their hobbies, play with their friends,
and grow creatively. Instead, all children are expected to obey strict rules and study all day,
every day. So I was surprised when I came to the States and experienced the joy and freedom
of spending my time having fun, rather than studying. I was able to spend time with my friends,
watch hours of TV, and most importantly, go to the Chuck-e-Cheese down the road whenever I
had a ride. By the time my mom had finished her year at her school, I didn’t want to go back to
Korea. I wanted to spend my childhood doing more than just sitting on a desk. And so, at the
age of 10, I decided to leave my family, my friends, and my precious puppy to start a new life in
America.

Starting my new life wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I was independent,
therefore, I had to learn all of my life lessons by myself. While most children are raised and
sheltered by their parents until they reach the age of maturity, I had to learn the most basic
principles, like honesty, manners, and discipline, without the guidance of anyone or anything
other than my own observations and emotions.

I often feel extremely lonely. I spend Thanksgiving and Christmas alone, and my birthday
passes by just like any other day. The first Christmas I spent alone, I cried for hours and hours. I
held on to my stuffed animals, strategically placed around me on all sides, and cried alone. I still
remember how quiet it was, and how lonely I felt. And I remember how much I wished I had
never left my family and friends to live in the US.

But those moments made me stronger. Whenever I feel down, I remember why I came
to this country. When I think about the opportunities I have, I remember how privileged and
lucky I am to be in a country that values not only a student’s academic abilities, but also their
creativity, leadership, and social skills. I’ve become a more well-rounded individual, excelling in
academics, sports, and music. I enjoy interests and passions that students in Korea don’t even
have the chance to think about. Whenever I reflect on the benefits I’ve received from studying
abroad, I get the courage to hold on a little longer. Although I miss my family, my friends, and
my life back home, I remind myself that I am here for something bigger and better.

I have no regrets. Living without my parents is hard. It is lonely, sad, and sometimes
terrifying. But this experience has made me a more independent person. It has taught me how
to survive on my own, without my parents. It has taught me to be responsible for myself and for
others. And it has made me stronger.
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? (currently
267 words)

When I was 14 years old, my grandmother got diagnosed with coronary artery disease. As I was
sitting in the doctor’s office with my parents, I remember the doctor telling us that coronary heart
disease arises from many factors, including genetics, obesity, and age. And out of all these
factors, the one factor that we had the most control over was pollution -- but there was hardly
anything being done about it.

My grandmother’s diagnosis and the doctor’s words were the kickoff for my interest in
environmentalism and improving the quality of air in our community. I began by encouraging
people around me to do simple things such as turning off the lights or walking instead of taking
a car. As I grew older, I participated in more organized efforts such as giving presentations on
climate change and environmental diplomacy at the Diplomatic International Forum of Seoul. I
wrote research papers on climate change and deforestation in an attempt to raise awareness for
the environmental problems our Earth faces, and won the HOBY award at the 2020 Global
Youth Environmental Essay Contest.

Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. Almost 40% of
coronary heart disease is caused by pollution. My efforts as an individual to reduce climate
change and pollution have made differences in our local community, but not nearly enough. It is
time that we realize that the Earth is not a playground for us humans. It’s a habitat for millions of
species, and when you realize that entire species are being wiped off the Earth, you begin to
wonder if we’re next.