STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST
Overview I 2005 Winner's Essay I 2006 Winner's Essay
2006 Winner's Essay
How Koreans Can Immerse into American Society
Min Lee 
I was quite astonished when I learned what the words “Korea” and “Koreans” symbolized to my classmates at school. “Smelly kimchi,” said one student. “Dog eaters… Army scandals and political chaos,” said another. Why is the Korean race attributed with only its most negative characteristics? Deep inside, I was sorely disappointed that our reputation took such a downfall in the eyes of the public. This forced me to ponder what Korean immigrants living here in the U.S. could do to improve their image and gain recognition as respected members of this society. I came up with two answers—more community service and stronger willpower to succeed as an individual.
Korean immigrants feel awkward when they try to open up to the foreign U.S. society. They are more inclined to watch convoluted Korean dramas at home than to participate in public community service. However, becoming active volunteers is a key to Koreans’ achieving a sense of belonging in their new environments. I highly appreciate the value of volunteer work in that it allows the worker to express his heartfelt desire to give back to the community what he received from it. By volunteering, Koreans have the chance to show that they are thankful for the opportunities with which their new lives in America have provided them.
There are many different areas in modern American society that could use more help from volunteers. Public works such as hospitals, libraries, and schools could function more efficiently with bigger personnel. I, myself, volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Anaheim over this summer and plan to tutor youths in Math and English when I return there this fall. Native Korean speakers could also contribute by serving as translators at voting booths and airports. With widespread efforts to enter and bolster the community service work force, Korean immigrants will be able to more smoothly immerse into their new societies.
Another important step for Koreans’ transformation into proud U.S. citizens is their embracement of individualism. Korean immigrants can make a huge difference in the world just by becoming people they want to be. One gains recognition for making a contribution to mankind, whether it be treating sick patients as a doctor or fighting crime in the streets as a policeman. Possibilities are limitless in America. Korean immigrants don’t have to restrict their boundaries of “success” to “wealth” and “fame.” Instead, they should dream big, aspiring to reach great heights with their new life. Truly admirable members of society are those that faithfully carry out their duties and exhibit that beautiful determination to achieve happiness by accomplishing their coveted goals.
Several Korean “dreamers” have already made headlines in the U.S. Earlier in 2005, Mr. Hwang-Woo-Suk received worldwide acclaim with his breakthrough discoveries in stem cell research. Mr. Kang Young Woo is a member of the government agency that deals with patients with disabilities. Linda Sue Park became the first Korean author to win the coveted Newbery Award with her novel, “A Broken Shard.” And at the top of the LPGA tournament leaderboards rule female Korean golfers. The inspirational success stories of these courageous individuals have given me confidence in my own abilities to succeed as a Korean immigrant in America. For example, I hope to become a neurologist when I grow up. I would like to treat patients suffering from brain injuries and, in my spare time, conduct extensive research to decipher the mysteries of the nervous system.
Korean immigrants can dig deeper into the roots of American society if they choose to do so. Active volunteer efforts and I-can-do-anything mindset will be critical success factors especially for Korean youths. I hope that in the future, the words “Korea” and “Korean” will make deeper impressions on people rather than simply reminding them that we eat kimchi.