Ms. Cindy Dela Cruz Won an Excellence Prize from The Understanding Korea Contest 2025!

We deeply congratulate our CFI Administrative Assistant, Ms. Cindy Dela Cruz for bagging an Excellence Prize from The Understanding Korea Contest 2025!

This event is hosted by the Center for International Affairs (CEFIA) at the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), Republic of Korea and sponsored by Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Dela Cruz will receive a certificate signed by AKS President and a 400k Korean won worth of merchandise.

In her essay “Understanding Korea’s Strength Through Its Struggles”, Ms. Dela Cruz emphasizes the urgent need to address South Korea’s growing mental health crisis, often hidden beneath the nation’s cultural prestige. Through a blend of research and personal reflection, she reveals how rising suicide rates point to a deeper societal struggle that calls for awareness, accessible support, and culturally sensitive care. The essay reframes Korea’s image on the global stage—not only as a nation of success, but as one showing resilience by confronting vulnerability and striving toward healing and emotional well-being.

In her words: "This was my first time writing and joining an essay contest, so to win an Excellence Award feels surreal and beyond anything I ever imagined. As the announcement day drew closer, I became anxious and even started to lose hope, knowing there are so many brilliant writers out there. But through this journey, I’ve come to realize something important: being a true writer isn’t about perfect grammar or flawless structure. A true writer is someone who writes with heart and compassion, someone who truly cares about their readers and the message they want to share."

Learn more about the contest here: https://www.aks.ac.kr/ikorea/cop/bbs/selectBoardArticle.do?nttId=322420&bbsId=BBSMSTR_000000000190&menuNo=6010110000&sessionUniqId=ANONYMOUS