Author: Chris Bae, Email: baeh5@unlv.nevada.edu
Date Last Modified: 11/11/2024

I went camping in Joshua Tree National Park over the weekend. It was part of an activity for one of my regular classes, and I went with a professional guide. This was a great chance to experience the desert weather firsthand. It was hot during the day, but at night, it was so cold that I couldn't sleep well. It was a tough trip—we couldn’t wash up properly or eat well. But it was a good opportunity to meet new people and adapt to a new environment. When I see beautiful scenery during my travels in the U.S., I always think of my parents. Since they trust and support me, I feel that I should have as many experiences as possible and grow as a person here in the U.S.

In my camping class, I made a new friend named Gabriel. After talking with him, I felt he’s someone who truly lives according to his own beliefs. When we were hiking, I was impressed by how he enjoyed his surroundings at his own pace. Since the U.S. is home to so many different people, talking to various people here makes me reflect more on myself. Gabriel is planning a trip to Korea next year, so we made a promise to meet up there. I realized that valuing these small connections could be really meaningful and helpful for me too.

In my conversation with Gabriel, we talked about high school education in the U.S. and Korea. In Korea, high school students study a lot, often going to private academies after school and then to study rooms even after that. In contrast, I learned that American students generally don’t study as much after school as Korean students do. While it’s hard to say which approach is better, I think it’s important for students to have time to explore their interests and learn about themselves. Americans often seem to have an idea of what they want to do with their lives. I believe it would be beneficial if Korean education also allowed students more time to discover themselves.

I realized that youth is as precious as gold. My time in the U.S. is limited, so I’m trying to make the most of it. However, when I think about myself in Korea, I feel like I often forgot how valuable time is. Youth is a time that never comes back once it’s gone, and recognizing its limited nature has made me determined to use the time I have wisely and meaningfully.

I wrote URDF code, which is a foundational step for starting machine learning. I set up a basic body and joints that can operate in simulation. My next plan is to proceed with machine learning by writing training code myself and experimenting with it.