[제 2회 드림에세이 수상작] Green Choi -'Living In America'

Grade: 11 / High School: Vista murrieta High School

As part of the first generation of my family to be born in America, I know what a blessing it is to live in this country. My grandparents, refugees from the prewar communist regime of North Korea, immigrated to America with my parents to raise my generation in a land of greater opportunities than anywhere else in the world. My family has taught me to appreciate the vast American opportunities and pursue success here through hard work. At the same time, I have been taught the importance of preserving my Korean heritage. I plan to live by these ideals, and in the process become a model to lead and contribute to the Korean-American community.

America is known around the world as the land of opportunity, where one has only to apply himself to achieve any goal. It is also known as a nation of equality, where achievement is not based upon ethnic background or race but upon individual merit and effort. A case in point is Dr. Jim Yong Kim. Born in Korea, Dr. Kim graduated from Brown University and Harvard University to become one of the world’s leading physicians. As of July 1, 2009, Dr. Kim will serve as the 17th President of Dartmouth College. Dr. Kim is the embodiment of my goal living in America. Like Dr. Kim, it is my hope that Korean Americans become successful leaders and contributors to the world, the nation, and the Korean community.

To do this, I believe that Korean Americans should take full advantage of the vast educational opportunities available in this country. It is our obligation to set high goals for ourselves and achieve them through study and a strong drive. Thus, through learning and work ethic, I wish to attain success and prominence in my field or career. By becoming a leader like Dr. Kim, I hope to both earn respect for the Korean-American community and inspire my fellow Korean youth to become leaders in America as well.

While it is important that the Korean-American community gain prominence in American society, it is just as important that it maintain its cultural identity. I believe it is crucial that Korean-Americans maintain the language and traditions that set it apart and make it unique from the rest of American society. Thus, I believe it is important that Koreans maintain cultural strongholds like museums, cultural events, and Korean language schools. I wish to give back to Korean-American society by supporting and contributing such endeavors. I also wish to personally maintain my Korean heritage as an example for the Korean American youth whose job it is to continue Korean traditions and values. I believe this will help prevent the Korean community from homogenization with American culture.

Through my goals and aspirations, I hope to help lead and give back to the Korean-American community. It is my dream to help establish the Korean people in America as a hard working, accomplished community with a distinct, persevering cultural identity. These goals, I believe, are the best and surest way for Korean Americans to earn respect for and improve the Korean community while preserving the integrity of Korean ideals and traditions. That is my dream for both me and for the Korean community living in America.