Interview with Da Yeon Moon, a Junior

Boston is a prestige education city in Eastern US. We have met Da Yeon Moon who is studying psychology in Boston College, which is ranked among the best in schools in Boston.

We have asked her tips for Boston College and all questions about psychology major.

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Q. Hello. Please tell us about yourself and the cause of your studying abroad.

Hello, I’m Da Yeon Moon, majoring in psychology at Boston College. Now I’m in junior. I began studying in US after graduating from middle school in Korea. I went to a high school in US. For the first year, I went to a high school in Oregon as an exchange student. For next 2 years, I moved to Pennsylvania and went to different school. I decided to study in US to experience broader world other than Korean society which I experienced until middle school. It brings me memories of experiencing different cultures of US and Korea through studying abroad.

Q. Can you give us tips to prepare for applying for Boston College?

I was focused on one thing so I don’t have anything special I have prepared for. Only secret is not comparing myself to other. If you study at your own pace, one day you will be able to achieve your goal. For GPA management, I developed a habit of questioning to teachers and tried to understand the classes as much as possible and perfectly. As a result, I earned good grades on homeworks and tests. During the break, I participated in SAT camp in Korea briefly and focused on raising test scores.

Q. Please recommend class subjects students need to focus or useful programs you participated.

Focusing on literature class is very important. In college, you are required to compose essays and read textbooks. Literature classes taught me to read fast and write papers. Activities I did in high school was cooking for homeless people at a church with host family, and gave presents to those in need for Christmas.

Q. We learned that one semester during the first year at Boston College must be taken in UK.

Please tell us more about the program.

If you take CGS (College of General Studies) program at Boston College, you are required to study in UK during the summer break. In CGS, students do not take any major classes. They take prerequisite classes, and think of their academic future and broaden their perspective.

In principle, it is a program that students focus and take necessary credits per semester. Reason for taking classes in UK is o graduate at the same time with other students because CGS London program begins in January. Advantage os the program is that you can take required credits in short period. Disadvantage is that it gives physical stress because of work load.

Q. How do you like studying in Boston?

Good thing about studying in US as well as Boston is that you can interact with students from all over the world. I learn a lot and I can sense the wider perspective. I’m not so sure if I could have enjoyed this kind of environment, had I studied in Korea. I believe it was a good choice to study in US. It was a great attraction to me that US is different from Korea and that various ethnic groups form a country, and I may gain cultural experiences from many countries.

Q. You major in psychology. What do you mainly learn?

Compared to other majors, there aren’t many required classes in psychology major. So you can take the classes you are interested in, which I like very much. I have the most fun taking Personality Psychology, of which I can study why people have different tendencies. If you want to major in psychology, you must have a basic interest in people. Further, you will study the background that makes up a person, the tendency and characteristics you are born with or develop in depth.

Q. Why did you choose psychology major?

Since I was young, I have been interested in psychology of people. I like people, but I was very much interested in being able to choose a major that I can study hidden psychology of people in depth. I am particularly interested in psychology of people with mental disorder or children. In fact, as I studied psychology, classes were not much different from what I had expected to learn about the content and direction in Psychology major before entering the school. So I think I can find aptitude and enjoy studying.

Q. What is required from students considering psychology major?

I think students considering majoring in psychology are required for understanding and patience. I think the ability to understand and be patient as a psychologist or helping patients are important when dealing with a person and analyzing the psychosis. I don't think it's the principle of a psychologist to feel frustrated during therapy or to get impatient as the therapy doesn't go in the desired direction.

Q. Tell us about your plan and desired major.

I want to study psychology more in depth before choosing a career path. I have not yet decided the career path after graduation, but I am preparing for a master's degree in psychology. I want to study professionally and help patients with mental disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder.