First personal essay

Chelsey Shin
May 25th 2007
English 3
Paul Kang
Personal Essay
Word Count: 328

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

Summer 2006, I could not resist taking courses offered at Columbia University. Although my parents opposed me to go to America, I persuaded them to give me a chance to challenge myself away from them for the first time ever in my life. Since I was not used to American culture, I was afraid to go to United States for the first time but I forced myself to go because such adventure would provide me new exciting experiences and broaden my sight.

Due to the ultraviolet rays on July in New York, I had to wear the cap, which I bought in Korea. Walking down the streets near 116th Avenue, people started to stare at me. After I got back to the hotel, the manager called and asked me why I was wearing a Boston cap. I wondered and realized letter “B” on my cap symbolized Boston, not Brooklin. Moreover, he said that I was lucky to not get a bullet in my chest.

After the incident, the professor at Columbia University asked to create a short movie in groups of four. I was an editor, who required electronic techniques and many other skills in every aspect from synopsis to camera angles and frames. Casting, shooting, filming, editing and choosing location was a big deal. Eventhough it durated for a long time with endless efforts, our group completed the work with complement from professor. We have put it up in the auditorium at Columbia University and invited many people. The results were fantastic. Creating such film taught me true leadershipm, preparation skills and glutinosity.

Never better, being New Yorker for three weeks was fabulous as if it was foreshadowing my future life as a university student. Despite my first experience in New York, I got used to it. Although I missed my native country, Korea, my parents and my friends, I truly wanted come back later. And imagining myself walking in the Wall Street inspired me to work harder.