Hi! I'm Piyush, an undergraduate student with a deep interest in language learning, different cultures, and academic research. Recently, I achieved 197 out of 200 in the TOPIK I examination, an accomplishment that means a great deal to me. Beyond the score itself, it represents the consistency, dedication, and passion that have shaped my journey toward my dream of studying in South Korea.
Interestingly, I didn't begin learning Korean because of the TOPIK exam. More than a year ago, I started learning the language simply as a hobby. Like many learners, my initial interest came from K-pop and K-dramas. However, as I continued studying, I discovered that what truly fascinated me was the Korean language itself—its structure, culture, and the new perspectives it opened for me. It was only later that I learned about the TOPIK examination and decided to prepare for it seriously.
Before joining The Korean Academy (KORA), I studied Korean independently using textbooks, websites, and various online resources. Although self-study helped me build a solid foundation, finding the right materials and following a structured learning path was often challenging. Despite these difficulties, I remained consistent and continued learning every day.
Joining KORA transformed my learning experience. Beyond language classes, I was given opportunities that helped me grow both academically and personally. I became a Korean Language Teaching Assistant (TA), delivered weekly presentations, and gradually developed greater confidence in communication. The guidance from my instructors strengthened my understanding of Korean grammar and provided the structured direction that had been missing from my self-study.
For TOPIK preparation, I followed a simple yet disciplined routine that I continue to practice even today.
Four days each week were dedicated to learning new grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and listening. For every grammar point, I wrote approximately 40 practice sentences in Korean to reinforce my understanding. Two days each week were reserved for revision, during which I carefully reviewed my mistakes and reinforced weaker areas. I also practiced regularly through Korean podcasts, YouTube videos, and completed one full-length TOPIK mock test every Sunday under actual examination conditions.
Some days I could study for only 30 minutes, while on other days I spent three or four hours learning. Regardless of how much time I had, I never stopped studying completely. I strongly believe that even small, consistent efforts eventually lead to meaningful progress. After months of disciplined practice, I consistently scored between 197 and 200 in TOPIK I mock examinations, which gave me confidence before taking the actual test.
Alongside learning Korean, I also had the opportunity to participate in research through KORA. Under the mentorship of Mr. Gurpreet Singh, I learned how to conduct research and write academic papers. During this journey, I contributed to three research papers in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Multimodal AI, serving as a co-author on two of them.
Among these projects, SG-World V2, where I served as the first author, became the most valuable experience of my research journey. It was my first opportunity to work on a research paper from the initial idea through development and finally publication. I am also currently working on an independent research paper focusing on India–South Korea studies, allowing me to combine my passion for Korean studies with my growing interest in academic research.
Balancing Korean language learning with research was not always easy, but it taught me valuable lessons in consistency, patience, time management, and perseverance. More importantly, it showed me that meaningful achievements come from continuous effort rather than short bursts of motivation.
I am sincerely grateful to The Korean Academy (KORA) and my mentor, Mr. Gurpreet Singh, for their constant guidance, encouragement, and the opportunities they have provided throughout my journey. Their support has played a significant role in both my academic and personal growth.
Passing TOPIK I is an important milestone, but for me, it is only the beginning. In the future, I hope to achieve higher TOPIK levels, contribute to more impactful research, publish high-quality academic papers, and prepare for opportunities such as the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). I look forward to continuing my journey, growing both personally and academically, while working steadily toward my dream of studying and conducting research in South Korea.
