School: Benjamin Banneker Academic High School

Grade: 11

Interests/Activities:

Some of the things I like to do on my free time is listen to KPOP and a variety of East Asian music, watch Korean and East Asian dramas, and I like to play pool (billiards). Another thing that I’m interested in is making zentangles and learning East Asian languages.

Academic/Career Interests:

In the future, I would like to become a teacher living abroad and teaching English as a second language. Or I would like to use the languages that I’m learning now and apply them to business or something related to business. Recently, I have an interest to do network marketing in East Asia. That’s how I’m going to hopefully be immersing in it. My favorite subject is math, even though I sometimes don’t like how conceptual it is, because in a way it is said that math is also a language. There are times when I like and don’t like it, but in the end I still like math.

Personal Statement:

The reason I applied to Japanese Plus is because it’s one of the four Asian languages I want to learn. Since I don’t have East Asian languages at my school, this opportunity will help me with my journey. Recently I traveled to Japan and stayed with a host family, and the trip made me want to learn more about Japanese culture and the language, because I know someday and somehow I will immerse in it. In addition, I want to live abroad, particularly in East Asia. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with East Asia, initially starting with my interest in martial arts. This program will help me learn a language that may be different, but I know that it will equip me with knowing another language and introducing new opportunities that will help me get out of my comfort zone. I’m still learning how to get out of my comfort zone, because as my coordinator Sally Schwartz taught me and once said, “Life is more than being in a classroom.”