Personal Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 8

Personal Statement - Essay Example While searching for a major to match with my interest, my brother, who was studying in the States at that time, suggested that I study in the U.S. As I already had English language skills and was very interested in American culture, this was too good to refuse. I eventually came to the U.S. in March 2011 and began taking classes at Bellevue College in June of that same year. At first, I had difficulty getting used to the style of lectures here; this made me nervous during every class. In Korean schools, students do not actively participate in class activities. Instead, they just sit and listen to the teacher talking during the lecture. They rarely ask questions because raising a hand and asking a question in the middle of a lecture is sometimes considered rude. Also, Korean students tend to work by themselves and are not likely to cooperate with classmates. I was used to this style of learning, so the American lecture style, which encourages students to work with partners and ask questions whenever they want to, was very much culture shock. Even though I liked to have conversations with people and was excited to get to know them, it was even hard for me to mingle with other classmates due this cultural barrier. I felt that I was not progressing, so I kept losing my confidence. This lack of confidence created a negative perspective toward me while workin g in groups. I believed that working on my own was much more suited to me. However, over time I have adapted and overcome these cultural differences. The more I worked with partners, the more I was able to see the advantages of group work. As I talked to group members and became closer to them, I realized how helpful it was to share opinions and study together. We shared helpful tips about critical information needed to finish assignments. Group work also enabled me to understand the study material better and helped me get used to college life here. I learned how to cooperate through working together. Also,