Veritas Christian Study Abroad Essay
The Veritas Christian Study Abroad program is a division of International Studies Abroad (ISA) and offers students the opportunity to travel to various nations around the globe. Veritas specifically targets students, such as myself, who would not only like to advance academically with the variety of disciplines offered, but also actively serve, minister and volunteer in the designated community. The Veritas Christian Study Abroad Program that I am applying to, is the intensive summer 2016 semester hosted by Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. Korea University accounts for one of the well-known acronym ‘SKY’. ‘SKY’, consisting of Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Korea University, are considered the equivalents of Ivy League
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in South Korea. To attend a University such as Korea University is a great honor and privilege, as many natives are unable to attend such a prestigious institution. Located in the vibrant heart of Seoul, the Korea University will provide me an up close and personal view of Korean culture and lifestyle. Living in the CJ International dormitory I will be interacting on a day to day basis with native Koreans students, which will quickly help me to assimilate and become comfortable with the new culture. In this 5 week program, I am given the freedom to choose from a wide variety of courses including a beginning Korean language course. I have also specifically chosen to take ‘Introduction to Philosophy’ as this course will build towards my degree in Political Science. Although I am eager to learn about the various traditions and historical attributes of South Korea, the reason why I chose to study with the Veritas Christian Study Abroad program, is the missions, service and volunteer aspect. I was first introduced to the gospel at a very young age. I remember as a small child, wrapped in my mother’s arms: smiling as she retold stories from not only the bible but of personal experiences of how God has led her life and protected her. Growing up in a financially unstable home, my parent’s unshakeable faith in the Lord was all that they had to give to their children. Despite this fact, our family has been miraculously blessed and we’ve never experienced a time of need. Of course at such a young age, I was never really able to experience the love and protection of God for myself. I believed in it, studied it and spoke to others about it, however for some reason I never felt the overflowing love and dedication to Christ as others around me had. It wasn’t until a few years ago did I experience a life changing experience that reassured my faith in the Lord. I remember coming home, staring into the mirror and wondering what went wrong when I was created. Depression hit me like a hurricane, and for years afterwards I continued to believe in the lies told to me be by my tormentors. In the culture that I was raised in, issues such as depression are considered taboo. I had no way of letting out my true emotions and getting the help I needed. Thankfully, I hadn’t fallen too deep into a hole that I couldn’t climb out of. I refocused my attention from myself, to the One that truly matters. I slowly focused on building my character and allowing God to mold me into what he wants me to be. Unfortunately, there are many other young individuals who have no one to talk to, no one to carry their burdens with them. South Korea has one of the highest suicide rate among youth in the entire world. As one of the most advance nations, and one of the most beautiful cultures, there is still a taboo placed on issues such as depression and mental health and a high emphasis on materialistic goals. One person is all it takes to make a tremendous impact on a young persons’ life, and I believe strongly that I am that person. With the opportunity to study abroad through the Veritas Christian Missions Program, I want to be able to share the same unfailing love and acceptance that Christ has shown me. Since 2010, I have been involved in Children's ministry and community outreach in my local church. During this time, I have participated in various projects that has helped minority children become more active in their community. These projects include summer concerts, movie nights, nursing home visits and fundraisers. My passion is giving children the opportunity to feel as if they've made a difference right in their own backyard. Through the Veritas program, I will be able to participate in Children’s and University Outreach ministry and reach out to the youth in the Seoul community that are in need of hope, reinforcing the volunteer experience that I have gained in the previous years. I want to be able to reach out and offer a listening ear to the youth of Korea, through interactive meetings, and volunteer projects. I am grateful for scholarship programs such as the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship foundation. With this foundation, my dreams for traveling abroad and making a difference in the world will soon become a reality. There is a stigmatism in my community that those who are financially less fortunate, such as myself, aren’t able to experience the many opportunities that are offered such as studying abroad.
I’ve been told by counselors and even family members, that studying abroad is too much of a luxury to afford at this point in time. For a while, even I began to believe in the unfair lie that because of my financial situation, studying abroad is essentially impossible. I struggled with the decision to study abroad; “What If I don’t have enough money to pay for the program, or even sustain myself while abroad? Should I use the money I have for something more feasible? What if money is the reason I’m forced miss out on this experience?” I’ve made up my mind, however, to live life to the fullest and face every challenge head on. Studying abroad is an investment that I am confident will supply me with a life time of benefits. The funding provided by the Gilman Scholarship will both help with the program cost, as well as transportation to the host country. South Korea is a fast growing culture, and I can see its influences now blossoming in the United States. Part of an effective college education is branching out and experiencing different cultures and
traditions. Only then can we as a nation become more intelligent and knowledgeable about the world around us.
in South Korea. To attend a University such as Korea University is a great honor and privilege, as many natives are unable to attend such a prestigious institution. Located in the vibrant heart of Seoul, the Korea University will provide me an up close and personal view of Korean culture and lifestyle. Living in the CJ International dormitory I will be interacting on a day to day basis with native Koreans students, which will quickly help me to assimilate and become comfortable with the new culture. In this 5 week program, I am given the freedom to choose from a wide variety of courses including a beginning Korean language course. I have also specifically chosen to take ‘Introduction to Philosophy’ as this course will build towards my degree in Political Science. Although I am eager to learn about the various traditions and historical attributes of South Korea, the reason why I chose to study with the Veritas Christian Study Abroad program, is the missions, service and volunteer aspect. I was first introduced to the gospel at a very young age. I remember as a small child, wrapped in my mother’s arms: smiling as she retold stories from not only the bible but of personal experiences of how God has led her life and protected her. Growing up in a financially unstable home, my parent’s unshakeable faith in the Lord was all that they had to give to their children. Despite this fact, our family has been miraculously blessed and we’ve never experienced a time of need. Of course at such a young age, I was never really able to experience the love and protection of God for myself. I believed in it, studied it and spoke to others about it, however for some reason I never felt the overflowing love and dedication to Christ as others around me had. It wasn’t until a few years ago did I experience a life changing experience that reassured my faith in the Lord. I remember coming home, staring into the mirror and wondering what went wrong when I was created. Depression hit me like a hurricane, and for years afterwards I continued to believe in the lies told to me be by my tormentors. In the culture that I was raised in, issues such as depression are considered taboo. I had no way of letting out my true emotions and getting the help I needed. Thankfully, I hadn’t fallen too deep into a hole that I couldn’t climb out of. I refocused my attention from myself, to the One that truly matters. I slowly focused on building my character and allowing God to mold me into what he wants me to be. Unfortunately, there are many other young individuals who have no one to talk to, no one to carry their burdens with them. South Korea has one of the highest suicide rate among youth in the entire world. As one of the most advance nations, and one of the most beautiful cultures, there is still a taboo placed on issues such as depression and mental health and a high emphasis on materialistic goals. One person is all it takes to make a tremendous impact on a young persons’ life, and I believe strongly that I am that person. With the opportunity to study abroad through the Veritas Christian Missions Program, I want to be able to share the same unfailing love and acceptance that Christ has shown me. Since 2010, I have been involved in Children's ministry and community outreach in my local church. During this time, I have participated in various projects that has helped minority children become more active in their community. These projects include summer concerts, movie nights, nursing home visits and fundraisers. My passion is giving children the opportunity to feel as if they've made a difference right in their own backyard. Through the Veritas program, I will be able to participate in Children’s and University Outreach ministry and reach out to the youth in the Seoul community that are in need of hope, reinforcing the volunteer experience that I have gained in the previous years. I want to be able to reach out and offer a listening ear to the youth of Korea, through interactive meetings, and volunteer projects. I am grateful for scholarship programs such as the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship foundation. With this foundation, my dreams for traveling abroad and making a difference in the world will soon become a reality. There is a stigmatism in my community that those who are financially less fortunate, such as myself, aren’t able to experience the many opportunities that are offered such as studying abroad.
I’ve been told by counselors and even family members, that studying abroad is too much of a luxury to afford at this point in time. For a while, even I began to believe in the unfair lie that because of my financial situation, studying abroad is essentially impossible. I struggled with the decision to study abroad; “What If I don’t have enough money to pay for the program, or even sustain myself while abroad? Should I use the money I have for something more feasible? What if money is the reason I’m forced miss out on this experience?” I’ve made up my mind, however, to live life to the fullest and face every challenge head on. Studying abroad is an investment that I am confident will supply me with a life time of benefits. The funding provided by the Gilman Scholarship will both help with the program cost, as well as transportation to the host country. South Korea is a fast growing culture, and I can see its influences now blossoming in the United States. Part of an effective college education is branching out and experiencing different cultures and
traditions. Only then can we as a nation become more intelligent and knowledgeable about the world around us.