I was born in Korea and moved to the US at the age of 15 with my adoptive parents. I anticipate the award of the BFA degree in May 2012, my major subject being Industrial and Interaction Design. My goal is to acquire the necessary qualifications to teach art in a public school setting and I have a special interest in the use of art as therapy for emotionally challenged children.

My initial intention was to become a toy designer, and it was my hope to design toys that aided child development in which I had a long standing interest, during my school years, I took many classes in this subject. A growing interest in child development during my undergraduate studies together with the fact that my background has included some voluntary and professional teaching experience has led me to conclude, after much thought, that I can ‘add more value’ to the world by teaching art than by working as a designer.  I thoroughly enjoyed my teaching experiences and feel that I was very effective in this role. I genuinely regard teaching as more a vocation than a mere career choice and am very eager to qualify to teach.

While I seek to teach art because I see it as a useful and enjoyable activity for almost all children that assists their development, I am also aware from my teaching experiences that children who may be unable to verbalize hidden feelings often find that they can do so through the medium of art. I regard this application of art as being of great value in helping children to face any serious issues positively and, potentially, to overcome them. I should be interested in assisting with research in the therapeutic application of art for young children with emotional issues.

I am aware that teaching calls for a high degree of cultural awareness and sensitivity. As an immigrant myself, I know the challenges that are faced by those adjusting to a new culture. I enjoy learning about other cultures and sharing information about my own and have happily studied, worked and socialized with people of many cultural and social backgrounds. In addition to living in Korea and the US, I also spent a year in Kazakhstan. I speak Korean and English fluently and have a basic command of Russian that I intend to develop.

I have to admit that my GPA score is not ‘stellar’. I am adopted and had suffered some emotional issues in connection with the difficult relationship with my birth parents at an academically important period. These issues are now resolved and I can offer my full and enthusiastic commitment to the program and a determination not merely to complete it successfully but to excel within it.

I have carefully considered the available programs and seek one that is both challenging and supportive and in which there are plentiful opportunities to acquire practical teaching experience. I have concluded that your program will meet these requirements fully and look forward very much to joining it and bringing my own insights to my class. 

I know that the program will attract many well qualified applicants but genuinely regard myself as a very good candidate. I have significant teaching experience in various settings and have a genuine and passionate interest in bringing an interest in art to underprivileged children for their developmental and emotional benefit.

Thank you for considering my application.