Common Application Essay Prompt #02

Name: Zoe Yoon
Class: English 3
Date: 15th June 2007
Instructor: Paul Kang
Assignment: Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

My affiliation with architecture began early in my younger years. When I was ten, I went to visit my uncle who was studying architecture. Instantly, I was besotted with the grandness – at least to me – of the job’s prospect. To a child like me- one who’s always liked constructing skyscrapers from Legos – the idea of being able to design a building - hopefully to one’s taste - seemed wonderful. Simply put it was very idealistic and even hedonistic: only for ones pleasure. Then, it had no meaning to it then pleasure.

Time passed by, and I became a high school student. My goal, as of now, is still the same: to become an architect; but things aren’t the same as before. Starting to work as a volunteer, I came to understand that some people aren’t given the chances others are given in their lives. I’ve seen homes that needed repair, but could not get any; families who needed shelter but could not entirely afford them. Reality made me lament on such, and I strived to do something. That is when I found HABITAT. HABITAT is an organization which builds houses for those who cannot afford one, and helps them function once more in society. In HABITAT I found a reason to continue my dream of an architect. I could help such people in distress, by working to devise housings which could support all necessary needs of a tenant, shelter and home among such, but still cost effective nonetheless. I could work to bee to the good of people. My life’s dream began to take form. To this day I have put my self upon reaching this goal. I work as a volunteerer at HABITAT, currently as a translator, and plan to work in the construction program later this winter. Also I have taken time to get used to the ‘how-to-do’s by becoming an intern at an architect’s office for a short time.

People lecture me to give up my dream of becoming an architect, as it has no future. These people see architecture as nothing but building skyscraper and grand monuments. I once was such a person; my attraction to this art – architecture – began through the liking of grandness. Now I know the world better, and realize, that architecture isn’t all about monstrous buildings: it’s also about creating a place, should it be small or not, in which everyone feels at home and protected. Now I have a reason - one not only for myself, but to all those whom I possibly will be able to help - to continue to strive to become an architect.