Nothing Can Hinder You In Your Progress!
By Chun Tae-hee
When I was a high school student, I wanted to become a dentist. That made me study harder than others. But heaven didn't hear my prayers. The university entrance exam was the first ordeal that I had ever met. Tears trickled down my face and wet my pillow on that night. If I had been able to erase that bitter memory, I would have done it.It goes without saying that I couldn't find any satisfaction in my campus life in those days. A feeling of freedom from the exam ordeal guided my steps to the path of laziness. Before I was aware of it, the yearning for a meaningful campus life was changing into disappointment.I needed stimulation that could put vitality into my campus life. That's why I joined the Post. The Post gave me an opportunity to realize that the world I had known was nothing but the visible peak on an iceberg.However, a mountain of work I had to do, as a cub-reporter, was a heavy burden to a student who had to study his major as well. As time passed, I felt it beyond my ability to be a student reporter at the Post. I sometimes felt like quitting my job.In spite of those difficulties, I couldn't give up my choice easily. Because I believe, "If I give up something because I feel a little bit tired of it, there is nothing that I can do in the world."After all, I still remain at the Post and now I'm reborn as a true reporter through my Debut Essay. Now I have recovered passion while doing the works of The Dongguk Post for the last six months as a cub.I believe that this passion has led and will lead me along the path of righteousness that I should go forward on at the Post. My dear readers, if you have a will to do something you want, don't hesitate to do it even though it is difficult. Because the more you face difficulties, the stronger you feel. I know that nothing can hinder you in your progress.
My Second Self : A Reporter with The Dongguk
By Kim Dong-ho
Have you ever watched the film, "I Love Trouble," starring Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte? They appear as reporters who follow the leads of a story at the risk of their lives. And they compete with each other to get a scoop even after they are married.When I watched the movie in my high school days, I yearned to be a reporter. Because it seemed righteous that reporters were faithful to their duties under any circumstances. However, I thought the job was beyond my ability because a reporter, I believed, had to be clever and active. I didn't have confidence in those days.However, I challenged myself to become a reporter after I entered Dongguk Univ. by keeping Helen Keller's words in mind, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." And I passed the exam to be a reporter at the Post with flying colors. Of course, working as a reporter was really difficult.For six months as a cub reporter, I suffered from writing articles. Collecting news materials and arranging articles were always as hard as writing an article in English. But it was a worthful experience and I was happy that someone would read my articles.Now I am a reporter with the Post after six months of indescribable hardship, and I'm standing on another starting line for a longer race. Of course, I have to write more articles, widen my eyes toward various fields and drink from many fountains of knowledge. And I must carry out my duties as a reporter: "A true reporter does not pursuit his/her profit but reflects the voices of the weak and the poor without any distortion."Now I believe in two principles. The first is that there isn't any growth without adventures; and the other is to bet myself. I think that The Dongguk Post is the place where I found my second self. I want to be a reporter who has plenty of confidence and who will overcome all difficulties with hard work.
I'm with Napoleon Bonaparte!
By Kim Jung-yoon
In 1796, France was at war with her neighbor, Italy. The Alps hindered French troops that were led by Napoleon Bonaparte from attacking Italy. "Would it be possible to go over the Alps?" asked Napoleon to his soldiers. But most soldiers shook their heads and one of them said falteringly, "It may be possible, but..." Napoleon interrupted him and said, "Let me hear no more. The man who has made up his mind to win will never say IMPOSSIBLE. Forward to Italy!" In the long run, France defeated Italy.Stepping on campus in March, I had hope and passion to do something. But, regrettably, my campus life was not what I expected. I idled away my time for a few months. It was purely by chance that I picked up the English magazine, The Dongguk Post, in the library. One day, I went to the library to read some books and just put one of the piled magazines into my bag. While on the commuting train for home, I took out the magazine and started to look it over. "Cub-reporter Wanted" came into my eyes. "Shall I join the Post?" I asked to myself. However, it was not easy to decide to apply to The Dongguk Post. I didn't think it would be possible for me to join the Post because writing articles in English was a big burden and challenge. And the fact that the Post holds an entrance exam for applicants is another reason that made me hesitate.But then Napoleon's phrase flashed into my mind and I got off the subway. I called the Post on the phone to ask if I could take the exam. They answered, "Yes," and I ran to school in order to take the entrance exam. I'll never forget it.Well, I passed the exam and experienced hard training for six months as a cub-reporter. Whenever I feel the limits of my ability, Napoleon always whispers in my ear, "There is no impossible."Now lots of reporting work are waiting for me. And sometimes those jobs seem like going over the Alps. However, I'm ready to climb the mountain. Because, Napoleon is always with me.