Amy Kim

Personal Achievement Reflection

Description: My personal achievement I am most proud of is paying for my own trip to my

homeland, South Korea this summer. When I got a job at a new sushi restaurant last year, I
started daydreaming about a trip to Korea for the upcoming summer. The last time I visited was
prior to COVID-19, consequently not being able to visit my relatives and childhood friends for
several years. I knew that is was greed asking for my parents to take for such a high-budget trip
that wasn’t significantly needed. I started to plan a budget goal to fund for this trip myself from
working throughout the Grade 11 year. I managed to save up the amount that was necessary for a
plane ticket and managed to use the remaining funds for the actual trip. It was an amusing trip
back to my childhood, as I was able to revisit places I’ve grown up in and experience new places
I was unfamiliar with. Throughout the trip, I paid for all of my personal expenses whether that be
any clothes, foods and external accessories. I was so proud of myself as I had moments of doubt,
but I felt like an adult free from my parents’ funds.

Personal Relevancy: As I have briefly mentioned in the description sector, this trip was truly a
meaningful trip to me. I have gained so many experiences that will help me gain insight into my
identity in both cultural and personal interest aspects. It was a blessing being able to realize that I
was capable of saving up from my hard work, to accomplish something I was longing to do. I
remember back in Grade 10 when I first started working and making my own money, I also had
the same plans of funding my own trip to Korea in the summer. However, as I was very
inexperienced with handling my own income and very unfamiliar with this new concept, I didn’t
know how to manage my money. This grand plan was long gone as soon as I received my
paycheck and was spending it recklessly on unnecessary goods. Hence, when I planned this trip
for the second time, I approached it in an overwhelming and unmotivated manner, constantly
doubting myself. I was full of joy when I knew that I was capable of succeeding after a failure.
Overall, the planning process was meaningful to me, marking a turning point in my self-esteem
as well as granting an unforgettable experience that will linger forever in my memory.
Skill Development: The most significant skill I got out of this experience is definitely saving
and planning skills. When I had made up my mind that I was going to pay for my own trip the
year before from the actual trip, I instantly went to the bank and opened up a new savings
account. It was a struggle for me as I am someone who absolutely adores materialistic things.
Prior to this goal, I often found myself spending all my pay checks on shopping goods that were
not necessities in my life, rather to fill my temporary happiness. A new hoodie would grant me
the sense of fullness, but it was never able to prolong. However, I knew this was a habit that was
deteriorating and something that needed to be fixed long term. Therefore, I started to deposit a
certain amount of every pay cheque into my saving account, under any circumstances. On certain
months when I had a lot of spendings than usual and was running low, I still ensured that I was
saving the amount that I had set aside for. I quickly was able to learn that if I started being loose
and making excuses for myself, I would not be able to accomplish the goals I have set.

Self-Awareness: I learned that I lack self-motivation. Personally, it is the hardest thing in the
world when I have no incentive or a pressuring third-party to finish a task that I am supposed to.
This common theme occurred to me when I started saving up. The bad habits that have led me to
failure at the first attempt was creeping up on me, holding back temptations of over-spending.
However, I overcame this by constructing a firm foundation in my thoughts that I am doing this
for myself. I cannot always get what I want without working hard for it or not making any
sacrifices. If I want to earn this trip and experience the fun, thrilling part, I have to work for it.
This meant giving up on the scrumptious meal of pasta, the T-shirt that looks like something I
already own in my closet, and the Mcdonald’s at 1AM that I thought would kill me if I didn’t
have but didn’t. As I grew to learn that there are priorities, the rest became easy as pie.

Future Connections: This is intricately connected to my plans for my future. First, one of the
most important duties to fulfill as an adult is saving money. A trip across the world is a baby step
as an adult, as now I must save up to buy myself a house, a car and food to feed myself. Being
strict to yourself is the biggest success factor for this experience. One has to always keep in mind
that there are other priorities and responsibilities before spending money on wants rather than
needs. Whilst it is crucial to be understanding to yourself in other aspects, this is a matter of
finances that could potentially harm not only yourself but the loved ones around you. I think
holding that understanding within me would aid me grow independent as an adult in the future
and I am super ecstatic on what I can accomplish more in the future.