Transferring to university: planning and preparation

¶ … mother looked at me as if she were about to cry.

'How will you get by?" she asked. "How will you survive? Please don't do this, just stay here!"

"Ma," I replied. "I need to do this. For me. I need to grow up. Don't worry, ma. I'm smart. I'm energetic. I will survive just fine!"

The next day I left for Toronto, with barely enough money to live on for a week. Uncertain of where I would stay and knowing only one person in the entire city, I panicked. I had no job, nothing. I struggled at minimum wage jobs for two years, receiving no financial support from my family; we had only just moved to Canada from Korea in 1996. Physically, emotionally, and mentally those years were the toughest -- and most rewarding -- of my life so far. I was able to develop a sense of self independent of my family of origin. My struggle for self-sufficiency and independence was by far the most significant accomplishment of my life, as it transformed and strengthened my character.

I had known for a long time that I would excel in the field of accounting because for as long as I can remember I have kept immaculate records of my collections. My penchant for organization and details also caused me to do well in math classes throughout high school. While in Toronto I finally decided to enter college and major in accounting. In spite of still working full time I earned the distinction of being a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society.