Nikolia: Can you tell us about the grant you won? What was the contest about?
Youti: I won a $300 scholarship for placing first in the NY Korean Education Center video contest. For the contest, we had to create a 90-second video about a city in Korea we would like to visit and explain why. In addition to my scholarship, our school’s Korean program received a $4,000 grant for support.
Nikolia: What inspired you to apply?
Youti: At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to apply, but I thought, Why not give it a shot? My Korean teacher, Ms. Yi, encouraged me to do it since it would be a great way to practice my Korean and challenge myself.
Nikolia: How did you prepare for the contest?
Youti: My uncle, who is my mom’s younger brother, lives in Korea, and I haven’t seen him in four years. That was my main reason for wanting to visit, so I built my video around that and included other reasons related to the city itself. I got some help from my uncle and teacher to fine-tune my script and make my sentences clearer.
Nikolia: What does winning this grant mean to you?
Youti: It’s a great start and motivates me to continue learning Korean—not just the language, but the culture too.
Nikolia: What do you enjoy most about learning Korean?
Youti: I like that once you understand the alphabet, you can gradually read any words and sentences. I think learning a language should be fun, not just something you do because you have to.
Nikolia: What has been the most challenging part of learning Korean?
Youti: Pronunciation is the hardest part for me. Some words are difficult to say, and if you don’t pronounce them correctly, they can mean something completely different. I haven’t mastered it yet, but I practice speaking frequently. As the saying goes, Practice makes perfect.
Nikolia: Do you have a favorite Korean word or phrase?
Youti: Yes! “괜찮지 않아도 괜찮아” (It’s okay to not be okay). It’s the title of a Korean drama, and I really like the meaning behind it. It reminds me that life can be tough for everyone, and it reassures people that they’re not alone in their struggles.
Nikolia: Have any Korean books, dramas, or songs helped you learn the language?
Youti: Korean dramas have helped me a lot. When you watch them, you hear the language constantly, and with subtitles, you can connect words to their meanings. If you hear a word enough times, it sticks with you.
Nikolia: Have you had any fun or memorable experiences while learning Korean?
Youti: I enjoy seeing my progress in the language, like passing my tests and quizzes. Last year, my Korean 1 class went on a field trip to a Korean restaurant, but I couldn’t go because I had another commitment. I was really disappointed, but we have another trip planned next month, so I’m looking forward to making new memories.
Nikolia: How do you plan to use the grant money?
Youti: I gave it to my mom because I know I’m not great at saving. This way, I’ll have it when I really need it.
Nikolia: Do you have any future goals related to learning or using Korean?
Youti: When I visit Korea, I want to use my Korean skills instead of relying only on English. It would be great to communicate naturally in both languages.
Nikolia: What advice would you give to students interested in learning Korean or applying for similar grants?
Youti: If you’re interested in learning Korean, just go for it! It’s a fun experience, and you’ll have the chance to participate in contests like this. If you’re thinking about applying for a grant, be confident in your work. You never know—you might win!