Being a Chinese exchange student has never been easy. Not just because I am homesick, but because of myself not appreciating my precious family members. It was the day before my flight when anger took over me. With all the luggage I had to take to Korea, I needed a lift from my dad. Unfortunately, my father had to pull an all-nighter at work the day before my flight and asked me to go without him. I got angry, but after shouting at him for how he was the worst dad, I felt guilty. In the end, dad had to rush his work to drive all the way for me, but even before I got on my flight, I did not apologize. Next time I fly home, I will look him in the eye and tell my dad, “I love you.”
Wan Yi (’16, School of Media and Communication)
This may sound awkward, but my anger is something more realistic. It is about team-based school work. I was pretty sure I had enough experience in dealing with team projects from high school, but the team projects here in college are not like those I experienced before. I had to be discreet simultaneously in terms of making my individual efforts and working as a group. It would be a lie if I completely deny that I have a tendency to scrutinize my work during team projects. I am satisfied after I check all the group project materials, even if I am sure that the other members will handle them their best. I mean, I do not really have to be picky about the group work when there are other members assigned to do it, but I just cannot stop myself. I haven’t found ways to resolve this tendency yet, but I hope to find one before I graduate.
Solina Shim (’14, International Studies)
I do not usually get mad, but there is one source of anger that frequently makes me upset—myself. To be specific, my rigid standards considering my life ethics and relationship with others upset me. I know that I should not expect the same attitude and generosity from other people that I have given to them, but I always resort to blankly believing that others think like me. I reach moments of anger when facing people who seem to take advantage of my generosity. Although I know that I should never blame others for giving me such scars, I cannot refrain from expecting the same kind or response and generosity that I have given to them. Maybe I will continue to be kind and generous to others and get scarred by people who do not do the same to me, but in the end I hope to feel less pain as I grow older.
Lee Jae Seung (’12, Business School)
For me, moments when anger takes over are very clear; they are when I find myself lethargically wasting time. What makes me frustrated is that I don't know what to do with those seconds that pass by meaninglessly. Then a friend of mine inspired me to change. He taught me to challenge myself. His meaning of challenge was to take part in various activities, whatever the reason may be. This led me to my very first extracurricular activity, KUchina. At first, I signed up simply to make my summer vacation useful, but in the end it turned out to be much more fruitful than I had expected. Thanks to KUchina, I am now even capable of speaking fluent Mandarin Chinese. Thanks to that experience and my friend, I now spend every second looking for a chance to change. When anger takes over your useless self, try out something new. An inspiring friend might come in handy!
Oh Ji Won (’15, Food and Resource Economics)
