When I was a freshman, I took a class that taught philosophy through movies. I liked that class best. The class started at nine a.m. One day particularly, lots of students were late, so Prof. Kim asked us while we were waiting for them, "Did you ever read Three and a Half Times around the World on Foot written by Han Bi-Ya?" It was the first time I had heard her name, and it made me curious about Han Bi-Ya. I forgot about it for a couple of years, but later it became a book I would like to recommend to others.
        I'm sure you are curious about who she is. Han Bi-Ya is a world traveler. She published four volumes about her experiences of traveling around the world. It's Three and a Half Times around the World on Foot in English. She traveled to both countries famous to us and ones unfamiliar to us. She had many troubles during her trips to many countries, but she tolerated every hard experience although she had handicaps. She is a woman and was rather old to travel like that. Generally, women have a lot more difficulties than men to travel, and she was over thirty years old when she started to travel. If you are a woman and are that old, could you do it? In my case, I have no confidence. However she did it. I'm not outgoing, and I have a week constitution. On the other hand, Han Bi-Ya has a healthy body, an open-mind, and strong feet. Besides, she is very familiar to everyone. This is one of her merits.
        Han Bi-Ya's life was not smooth. She grew up in a bad situation. Her father who influenced her in various ways passed away when she was young. He used to tell her many stories about many countries while pointing them out on a world map. It became her motivation to travel the world. Besides, her economic situation was not good, so she gave up her study at a university. She translated English video tapes into Korean as a part-time job, but she felt she needed more learning. She went to a university rather late, and later she could study aboard with the help of an American married couple. She has passed on their good conduct. When she meets people who have ability and potential although they have tough times, she helps them if she can. For example, she met a girl who had given up her dreams and gone to work to support her family in Vietnam. The girl was very bright and wanted to study about computers, so Han Bi-Ya paid her computer academy fee. Although she did not have much money, she wanted to give even a small help. I think it's not easy to help others. I think its the most important thing that Han Bi-Ya has a great personality than other elements. I would like to learn this from her most.
        If you read Han Bi-Ya's works, you can recognize her affirmative thoughts. She is a very capable person. Travel around the world was her dream and a promise to her father. She put her ideas into action, and she has made endless efforts to achieve her goal. Also, she gave up her promotion in a company to make the trips.
        Sometimes, I'm afraid of doing my best, because I couldn't accept the truth of a bad result although I did all I could. I would rather have a potentiality that I could achieve anything than know the bitter truth. I know it's stupid, but now I'm realizing this natural fact. I was envious of her excellent linguistic ability and many talents, but I didn't know about her hidden endeavor. I got a hint from her books. That is if I really want to live a wonderful life, I must challenge whatever it is. Envying someone can't make me develop.
        There are few people who influence other people, but she is one of them. There are many essays that describe successful lives, but her writings are familiar and give me the power to proceed. She has great merits that I would like to learn. This is why I want to be like her. She's the ideal model I want to be. I am thankful for her existence which gives me a strong impression. However, it seems even a good stimulation like her example couldn't help me overcome my laziness until now. I just wish to not continue to have regrets anymore.