After completing the Youth Capacity Building Camp

-  Interviews with the Participants(Chae-min PARK, Hye-rim CHOI) -

□ Chae-min PARK

Q1. First of all, what made you to join this camp?

After dropping out of high school, I wanted to experience the bigger world, but due to financial constraints and time constrains, it wasn’t possible to

experience everything. Then, I found out this program which was not only free but also allows me to experience various activities including jiu-jitsu in a

relatively short time, so I decided to join.

Q2. How did you feel about this camp?

At first, I was a little worried that I might not mingle with the people very well because I’m an introvert, but all the teachers and the instructors were very kind so fortunately, I was able to adapt quite easily. The lectures were very interesting, including the jiu-jitsu class, and I was able to fully enjoy and have a meaningful time. Especially, the jiu-jitsu class taught me how to train my body and mind and also how to mingle with new people.

Q3. How did the program impact you?

At first, I was worried that I won’t be able to get along with others since I’m an introvert, but I was able to build confidence by taking diverse educational programs and presenting in front of others. By learning jiu-jitsu together, I naturally became close to other participants and teammates and developed teamwork and sense of cooperation. So yes, the program influenced me in many ways, and the biggest achievements would be confidence and sense of responsibility. I know this experience is going to be a great help for me throughout my life.

Q4. What mindset did you have when joining the camp?

I personally enjoy sports, so I didn’t have much pressure about starting jiu-jitsu. I was determined that even though I face challenges I should keep going, rather than give up. And maybe that’s why I could learn so much and go further through various activities including jiu-jitsu. The experience from the camp is going to serve as an invaluable lesson for me. I feel so grateful for having this precious opportunity to learn the attitude of pushing further with confidence and learning new things with responsibility. I am proud of myself that I took this opportunity to overcome my introverted personality and become a better version of myself by communicating with others. 

□ Hye-rim CHOI

Q1. First of all, what made you to join this camp?

Hello, my name is Hye-rim Choi, and my dream is to work for an International Organization. I recently passed the qualification examination and while I was looking for information for university admission, I heard from an acquaintance that UNESCO International Centre of Martial Arts was running this program, and I became interested.

Q2. How did you feel about this camp?

Unfortunately I missed the first day of the program because I had to go to the hospital. On the second day, after the jiu-jitsu class was over, the fact that I missed the first day bothered me, so I joined all the programs after then.

Since I was absent on the orientation session of the first day, I wasn’t aware of any program contents other than jiu-jitsu. So on the psychology class of the third day, the second psychology class for other students but the first for me, I was the only one who brought jiu-jitsu uniform to the class. It was a mistake I made since I wasn’t informed.

Activities such as psychological settlement, stress management, and board games were all fun, but I enjoyed learning jiu-jitsu the most. It was amazing that when you hold and lean down the way the instructor told us, the opponent would fall over, and if you raise your body and flip over, you could escape from the danger and that was indeed like a magic! It was so fun to practice pushing and pulling with your classmates and sweat together. When the instructor complimented me for perfectly doing the movements and when I succeeded subduing my opponent during practice, I felt so proud of myself, it was truly indescribable. Thanks to the camp, I can feel that I became physically healthier and stronger and in fact I also gained some more muscle. I also lost some weight and now I can wear the clothes that used to be too tight for me.

Also sharing snacks with my friends after classes became a great memory. Especially, the time we shared pizza and mango ice flakes was the most memorable. I know I will cherish this memory even after I become an adult.

Q3. Any suggestions on where we can make further improvements on the programs?

I enjoyed every single part of the program and that’s why I let myself engage with all my passion, so I felt so sorry that I had to miss out the last four days due to my flight to overseas. That was the only thing I feel sorry about personally.

If the ICM organizes such program in the future, I would definitely like to join again.

※ Views in this writing are author's own