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May 21, 2007 Kim helped start two student clubs -- one to advocate for sexually abused children and the other using art for community outreach and social justice.
Student profile: Hannah Kim
Major: Art Why did you choose Cornell?
I love the diversity of people and interests that come with such a large university -- there are always so many possibilities. I chose Cornell because of its breadth and strength of disciplines. Main Cornell extracurricular activity -- why is this important to you?
My Christian church community and faith have sustained me throughout the roller coaster of the past four years. While at Cornell, what other accomplishments/activities are you most proud of?
I helped start two student clubs, Justice for Children International, which advocates for sexually exploited children, and Art Beyond Cornell, which envisions art as community outreach and social justice. Last November, for a conference at Cornell about social, political and religious issues in North Korea, art major Diana Lee and I created an art installation on the Arts Quad, "Border::Passage," two parallel red walls symbolizing the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas. Walking between the parallel borders allowed a physical experience of the split between North and South Korea. Your most profound turning point while at Cornell?
Typically I don't read too much into my dreams, but the first week of classes senior year, I had one of the most vivid dreams of my life. I was on my way to Namibia and ecstatic about it. I had never really heard anything about this place, but after this dream Namibia kept appearing in strange and seemingly coincidental occurrences. I ended up applying for a Fulbright grant to go to Namibia for studio art. After a long six months of waiting, I just received news that I received the grant. Who or what influenced your Cornell education the most?
My study abroad experience. Spring of my junior year I studied in the Cornell in Rome program, and during the summer I interned there with an artist and lived on my own. Living in a foreign country and learning from a disparate culture was invaluable. Did you change in any of your beliefs or interests during your time at Cornell?
If anything, my beliefs have been strengthened and my interests expanded. More and more I see the compartments I've made for myself -- academic, extracurricular, spiritual/personal -- disintegrate. I've learned that everything I do informs everything else in my life. What are your plans for next year and beyond?
Next year I plan to spend 10 months in Namibia -- after that, wherever life and God take me. |
