To whomever this letter falls into the hands of,

Hello. My name is Hyun Myung Chin, I am currently attending the University of Bridgeport. I do not have any idea what kind of audience (age range, nationality…) will read this letter, but the content included is, in my viewpoint, important and of worthwhile value so I ask you to please read it with a mind that does not criticize based on assumptions or misunderstandings.

The main purpose of this letter is to provide information concerning the University of Bridgeport from a student’s viewpoint, particularly my own viewpoint. I do not intend to try to persuade anyone to make any rash decisions, indeed I do not want to be held responsible for someone making a whimsical decision (i.e. to come to UB) and suffering difficult consequences (i.e. hating it). The point is to supply knowledge from a certain perspective, as it is important to see information from many different viewpoints. You may already know some information about the school from other sources, and I am sure that there are a good deal of negative impressions out there. I will not deny the facts, because there are many weaknesses that need to be changed into strengths. But I merely ask that you take into consideration that there is a very important responsibility with having knowledge, because the thoughts, opinions, and actions that result from any knowledge you obtain is what makes information valuable. To provide you with an example, please read the following statements, or facts about UB:

There are between 100 and 200 UC member students

There is a relatively underdeveloped academic program in a variety of majors

There is a relatively strong computer science and industrial design program

The school is in a relatively difficult financial situation

Now this information is obviously very valuable because it can help determine whether someone decides to come to the school, or not. There are some people who will automatically think to themselves "I will never go there!" probably because I used terms like "relatively underdeveloped academic program". On the other hand some people might focus on the statement that there are over 100 UC member students and think "I want to go there". I think for the most part, people focus on the negative aspects and make their decision from there. But I would like you to consider another alternative viewpoint, because it would surely be irrational to disregard UB just because there is a "relatively weak underdeveloped academic program in a variety of majors."

I would like you to focus your attention on the word "opportunity". Some students came here for no special reason, maybe just because their parents told them to or because it was the school that father said to go to…But then there are also those who came here because of that word, "opportunity". If it wasn’t for this word no one would come to this school, indeed Father would never have even invested in this school. In fact, I don’t know what our world would even be like if the hope of "opportunity" didn’t exist. In any case, that is my central concern here, because it is a word certainly under-appreciated and unnoticed by many. It is the flip-side to the negative beliefs that restrict our lives, the optimistic take on information that imparts value and hope. Everything is an opportunity. Mistakes, victories, ultimately decisions. They can be an opportunity for good and for bad. Of course the result is only decided by the person alone. Let me share with you the opportunities that I have seen here, and am actively trying to pursue:

A chance to work with the high school, get involved with Second Generation activities for your younger brothers and sisters.

A chance to work with Blessed Children from the NY, NJ, CT area.

A chance to get an education on a relatively easily attainable full scholarship.

A chance to live in a house with other BC’s, studying together, living together, eating together, growing together.

A chance to get involved with Student Congress, become president of a class.

A chance to initiate your own program to benefit the school, such as a mentoring program (which is my current project).

A chance to be more than just a student at another school, but to get the opportunity to learn about life through challenges, struggles, victories.

A chance to contribute to God’s providence! And in many more ways than one.

A chance to get to know teachers very closely, even to get to know the. administration very closely. (Faculty student ratio is very small and many faculty are members who will gladly take their time to help you).

A chance to practice teaching in the Bridgeport Hope School if that is your wish.

A chance to support other BC’s who are struggling.

A chance to learn (ranked #4 in CT)

A chance to go to public Hoon Dok Hwe every morning, as well closing meeting every night.

A chance to learn the Divine Principle more thoroughly in the ever-constant challenge of growing spiritually.

A chance to see the most INTERNATIONAL school in the entire US.

A chance to fundraise regularly, whether that be with wind chimes or flowers.

A chance to learn hip-hop dance with other Blessed Children.

A chance to improve the community, actively contribute in making a victorious foundation for all members to go to school together and create deep relationships.

A chance to get involved in REAL life activity, not just the simple study and go to Sunday school on weekends commotion.

(Hey if you think about it, it only makes sense that Father invested in a school that needs improvement. Why would he contribute to a school that didn’t?)

Truthfully, there is a lot of investment needed to improve the cooperation and unity among the members on campus, but once again, opportunity. If you have to guts to challenge the battle, please do so. It’s much better to be living with opportunity and challenge than just comfort and security right? Where else can you get an opportunity like this? Unfortunately many people outweigh these considerations with the more common ones like "school name", going to a place that has reassuring reputation, security... In any case, I thank you for taking the time to read this personal assessment, and hope I have offered useful information in helping to make the ever-difficult university decision wisely. If you have any questions of the sort, please contact me at GinHM@Hotmail.com.

Thank you, ITPN

Hyun Myung Chin

 Download entire page and pages related to it in ZIP format
Table of Contents
Information
Tparents Home