※ 아래 스크립트는 발표자의 발표내용을 그대로 표기하였으므로 구어체 표현이 포함되어있고, 

How can a test be so exciting? Yes, you might think I’m weird. When I told my parents about how I felt while taking a level test to enroll in  one of the TOEFL courses at Hacker's Academy, they just looked at me with worried eyes. This was because not too long ago I had symptoms of arrhythmia and panic attack due to tremendous stress while preparing for a public servant exam. Studying desperately for two years, it was already overwhelming for me, so I stopped studying English for a long time. I mean a long time, so I was somewhat scared to re-study English. However, passages on the level test were long and challenging, but they were quite interesting. As answering the questions, I felt like I was learning something new in English. That's when I got goose bumps and realized that I am most delightful when I study and use English. 

As a child, I was a fast learner. I started to speak earlier than most of other kids my age. I was very talkative. At least that's what my mother told me. When I was five, I had an opportunity to perform a musical in English for the kindergarten talent show. After seeing my enthusiasm for English, my mother looked for an academy for me to learn English and have fun at the same time. She didn't want to pressure me. Thanks to her efforts, at the age of seven, I could attend an academy that made me love English even more. Frankly, I didn't even know the alphabet when I first entered, but it wasn't a big matter because I had a goal to get a “Good job!” sticker and I was very focused on achieving my goal. 

As I grew up, I have participated in English speech contest twice, and there was an interesting anecdote when I was in high school. Teachers and friends couldn't believe that I was a pure Korean who have never studied English abroad, so I had to submit my empty certificate of immigration. 

After graduating from high school, I finally got on planes and went overseas. I wanted to use English abroad, but at the same time I was a bit afraid to visit a country where English is the only spoken language. Eventually, I travelled to Singapore instead with my mom. I had a Wi-Fi problem at the hotel, but I was proud that I could solve the problem by talking to the manager in English by myself. Through a variety of experiences in Singapore, I was able to gain confidence. 

Even though I don't remember much of my childhood, there was one thing I do remember very clearly that has encouraged me a lot. There's an animation called, Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper. At the end of the animation, a song with these lyrics appears: “And you're always free to begin again. And you're always free to believe. When you find the place that your heart belongs, you will never leave. Though you will not know where your gifts may lead, and it may not show up at start, when you live your dream, you'll find destiny. It’s written in your heart." After experiencing several failures, I lost my colorful dreams I kept in my childhood. But fortunately, I think it has become a little certain that English is my gift. Like the lyrics of the song, I hope this gift will lead me to the best path. 

Furthermore, in Paul Kalanithi’s book, When Breath Becomes Air, the phrase “I had come to see language as an almost supernatural force existing between people, bringing our brains, shielded in centimeter-thick skulls, into communion,” touched my heart deeply. For me, that language is English. Using my gift, English, I want to commune with a wide range of people, regardless of race, age, and nationality. 

As you can see, English had a great impact on my life, and it always will be. Therefore, English is my favorite word and cannot be separated from me. 

Now I'm about to move forward to a bigger world, and my journey just got started. As the first step, I'm preparing for the exchange student program next fall semester. And ahead of that, I'm now giving my best shot in this speech contest as the stepping-stone of my expedition. 

Thank you so much for listening to my story.