안녕하세요 여러분, 제 이름은 린지입니다. 도움이 필요합니다.
For 3 years, I’ve been studying Korean alone in the confinements of my room. 3 years past, and I yearn to break away from the barriers of practicing speech with S Voice and put my abilities to use. As more time passes, I grow sick of feeling trapped in a box of slow, unapplicable progress.
Not long ago, I was doing my nightly routine of laying in bed and watching Youtube videos from my recommendations before going to sleep. I came across a video, among many that I’d already seen, called “How I Learned Korean”. Within the first few minutes of the video, they mentioned that they went to a place called Concordia Language Villages. They explained that it was an immersion camp, and before they had even finished talking, my heart was sold.
The Korean village goes by the name of Sup Sogui Hosu. It’s a Korean immersion camp that basically similates what it’d be like to put your language skills to the test, without leaving the borders of the United States. The camp is located in Minnesota, and provides 2 and 4 week programs every summer. During these programs, you’re fully immersed in the language, not being allowed to use any English unless entirely necessary, and participating in various activities related to Korean culture.
After countless days of intensive research, my heart has never been so latched onto such an opportunity. Lately, I’ve been so fed up with where I’m unable to go in learning Korean by myself. After 3 years of studying alone, I feel lost in where to go next. Improving my speaking skills is incredibly difficult, and I feel guilty when opportunities for me to speak come up and I’m unable to utter a single word. My biggest goal in life is to study abroad, go to Korea, or simply take a Korean class. But in my state, Korean is not offered in easily accessible places. When I found out about Concordia, it felt like life was patting me on the shoulder and putting an answer directly in front of my eyes. I’ve been so excited simply thinking about what it’ll be like once I go that I’ve had dreams about it, and it’s all I’ve been able to talk about with my friends.
I feel like going to this camp will be very therapeutic for me. I struggle with confidence, and lately, I’ve had an immense amount of anxiety in social situations. I don’t spend all day texting friends, being that I don’t have many to begin with, but I do latch to my phone like a life line, for it contains all the comfort and acceptance that I don’t receive by my peers. The simple thought of being isolated and not being able to check what’s going on outside of where I am for 4 weeks drives my nerves up the wall, but my mind is so set on what I’ll gain there that those feelings will not stop me. I feel that, when I go to Sup Sogui Hosu, I’ll meet people exactly like myself who will accept me for exactly who I want to be, and I’ll make friendships that’ll last long beyond the 4 weeks. I also know for a fact that I will walk out of that camp with my speaking skills in the exact place that I’ve dreamed for them to be. That’s exactly what this means to me: achieving a dream.
The only thing stopping this dream from coming true is funds. I’m raised by a single mother who has to take care of 4 children. My mom works as a CNA, who makes anywhere between $700 - $900 every 2 weeks, our income averaging at just $25000 a year. That money is immediately spent on life expenses, and rarely ever used for luxuries.
I plan to apply for scholarships for the camp, since I’m confident I’ll be accepted, but even if I get the scholarship, it won’t be nearly enough to pay for the tuition. For starters, the 4 week program’s tuition is a solid $4400, with a $300 deposit. That deposit alone is considered an immense amount of money. From my research, scholarships may pay about 50% of the full tuition. While that’s a great deal, that still leaves over $2000 left to pay. The payment is due by June 1st, so I’m starting this as early as possible. This is the only summer that I could possibly attend this camp, so my goal for this fund is to reach as close to the full tuition as possible, but even if I only make half, I’ll make it work.
I’m so keen on making this happen that my heart won’t take no for an answer. I’m hoping this fund is all it will take to help me go, but if all fails, I’m hoping to find another way.
If this fund works, I have no idea what I could possibly do to express how thankful I am. It feels as though my whole life has been lived by routine, and attending this program will fill in everything I’ve ever yearned for. If there is anything I could possibly do to show my gratitude towards contributors, please let me know. Thank you to the deepest part of my heart for helping make this possible. If you have anything to say or any questions, feel free to contact me.