Meanwhile, the Institute had a program of sending some people to the U.S. to train them as computer experts. I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of them. After coming back to Korea, I entered graduate school to study Computer Science, and later went with my husband to take a doctoral course at Gὅttingen University in Germany.
My love for challenge and broadening out did not end here. After returning from Germany I took up my post as a lecturer at Ewha and Seoul National University. As I gradually adjusted to my new life as a lecturer, I began coaching graduate students and interested myself in research work, merging the two fields of medicine and computer.
Nowadays, a lot of people avoid taking up challenges and leaping into new fields in fear of the unknown. They are afraid that if they dare try the untested waters, they will suffer failures. It is true that some results of challenges can be disappointing and bitter. I myself have had some difficulty due to my ever-changing scope of work. However, challenges do not bring only loss to one’s life – in fact, challenges bring more gain than loss. That is why I believe that taking on a challenge is something that is necessary to ensure a full life.
However, if one was to simply try something new and then drop it without seeing it through to the end, it would be just as bad, if not worse, than not trying it in the first place. Challenges must be accompanied with commitment at all times. Without sincere effort, one may not gain the best result. Jump into something, whether it is big or small – but do so with whole-heartedness and devotion.
Professor Kim Myoung-hee is a professor in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering. She received her master’s degree from Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University and her Ph. D. from Gὅttingen University.
Professor Kim Myoung-hee
evoice@ewha.ac.kr