From Korea to Harvard :: College Admissions Essays

From Korea to Harvard   My experience at the international science fete festival last summer was definitely one of the best times Ive had. The x days I spent in Seoul, South Korea, were not rightful(prenominal) about traveling to a foreign country or even so about learning science. To me, the festival was more about meeting great deal and understanding their cultures. The opening ceremonies of the festival immediately ignited my excitement. I was ring on all sides by students from all over the Pacific marge Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, and of course, Korea. Its hard for me to describe how moved and amazed I was to feel so many people of so many polar backgrounds brought unitedly in one place. All of us were so different and except so similar. We were brought up and shaped by completely different forces and experiences, barely all of us shared a common love-science.   I was mesmerised to observe i n a group setting the contrast surrounded by the overly accommodating nature of the easterners and the stronger emphasis on individualism of the westerners. During a group project on creating a model city, I regain the easterners busy building police stations and apartment complexes. A partner off of westerners, on the opposite hand, suggested including a sports stadium and a golf course-options seemingly not on the agenda of the easterners, who, however, hesitated to say No I suggested that we could fill in the stadium with an airport, an idea quickly accepted by all. This experience showed me that different cultures dont have to conflict but rather can compliment opposite cultures in finding a better solution.   The closing ceremonies were to me the best congressman of the cultural awareness fostered during the festival on the first day, almost none of the Americans were brave enough to try the kimchi and mystery meat that was served to us by the end of the festival, however, all 500 students were singing the APEC theme song together at the top of their lungs. I was completely immersed in culture, diversity, and new ideas for ten short yet extremely fulfilling days. From this experience, I realized that seeing other cultures allowed me to learn more about my own, as it enabled me to understand mine from a different perspective.   My experience at the APEC festival helped broaden my perspective and showed me a glimpse of just how many possibilities and ideas there are in the world.