CommonApp Assignment

Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

My goals and vision changed because of a tour guide. The tour guide’s description and contrast of the American society and Korean society was the turning point of my goals for education and future. Until then, other people expected me to be in the upper class and lead others and gave responsibilities that did not suit me. Also, these demands neither fit my characters nor did I have any passion for the vision and goals, which others expected. However, the tour guide’s critical contrast and his thoughts about what the Korean society is lacking taught me that the demands and suppressions that I had could justifiably tossed. Today, I make my own choices and set goals for myself, which may be unfortunate for others because these goals are lower than their expectations. High hopes without passion is only fool’s play and lie to oneself; thus, I think my choice is well-made.
The tour guide described the American society by assuming that the whole population is only one hundred. He described the society to be mostly uneducated or only partially educated and only about ten our one hundred to have graduated college and one out of the hundred to be in the elite group. This elite group is the people who run the United States (US) and keep it in its place in the world. Also, he described the Korean society, again by assuming that the whole population is composed of only one hundred people. He said that about 70 of the hundred have graduated college, which is great percentage of the population compared to that of US. However, the fact was irony because Korea is yet a weak country unlike US, which only ten percent of the population is educated people. Although Korea has higher percentage of educated people than US, its people lack unity and fellowship. Koreans are strong headed and would not let others rule them easily. Such characteristics are obstructions to democracy because democracy needs support and participation of the people.
When I heard the word ‘fellowship’ and its importance to form stable government and country, I found my goals worthless. All Koreans aims to be the leader of everyone. They want to rule others and only a few are people are supporters and cooperators. Also, they supporters and cooperators to let other people be higher are treated as cowards and losers. Therefore, in Korean society, there are many unnecessary conflicts to disparage others and promote one, which add to the disorder of the society. It is impossible for everyone to become a leader; thus, there is a need for fellows or cooperators so that people who have the upright characters and ability to become leaders can indeed become leaders. I do neither have the passion nor the capacity to lead other people. However, I have strong fellowship. In Korean society, there are too many leaders and people who want to be leaders. Now, it is time for some people to support the people with the right characteristics to become leaders.
Before I changed through the tour guide’s speech, my goals and visions had been becoming a global leader. There was not even an idea about how I wanted to become a global leader because it was a dream given by others. However, after seeing that there is no need to become the leader of everyone but to live life that is satisfactory to oneself, I looked for what I really wanted to do. It was neither Law, which other people thought fitted me, nor Science, which other people thought I had talent in, but archaeology and psychology, majors that other people did not choose often such as economy, medical science and government. People say that they are disappointed but I am not living my life to satisfy other people’s desires but to be happy about myself. Although others may think one fits for a leader, he may not be a person whose characteristics fit a leader. I have chosen to become a trustworthy fellow rather than a leader without passion and plan.