1.     What kind of positive effects of martial arts activities have you had?

I don’t work out very much usually, but thanks to Taekwondo classes, my body has changed significantly - I feel much more energetic and stronger. I have come to appreciate the importance of health. I came to understand what former President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk said: “Sağlam kafa sağlam vücutta bulunur (A healthy mind resides in a healthy body).” Moreover, my mental health has improved and I feel more confident and comfortable when I speak to people.

2.     How do you feel and experience about martial arts learning activities in your life?

At first, I was quite nervous since I had no experience in martial arts. Although practicing Taekwondo is not easy, something I already knew before starting, thanks to Instructor Seung-je and Yeong-min’s care and motivation, I had a smooth start. These days, I try to practice Taekwondo whenever I have a break during study or cooking. I really enjoy learning Taekwondo.

3.     What are the most satisfying things about the martial arts programme?

This project was a great opportunity to learn Taekwondo directly from martial art masters. I was particularly glad that such a privilege was given to female participants because self-defense has become very important for women where we live. I sincerely thank ICM for giving us this remarkable opportunity.

4.     Please write down any positive comments regarding the programme.

Thanks to the instructors' passionate teaching, I had a good start on my Taekwondo journey. They didn’t force us but they carefully taught us Taewondo moves until we were able to practice them properly. Whenever I spoke to them in Korean, they encouraged me and said that I speak good Korean. Their kind words enabled me to build more confidence in my Korean. I have long been interested in Korean culture. By learning Taekwondo and engaging with the instructors, I came to understand Korean culture better. Instructors Seung-je and Yeong-min as well as ICM will always be in my heart. Thank you.

※ Views in this writing are the author's own.