"I Was Admitted to Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium"
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 11905 |
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November 20, 2016 |
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Brother Taehyuk Kong, Young Adults' Mission, Manmin Central Church
Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium is one of the three most prestigious fashion schools in the world. It is open for application twice a year, in July and September. I prepared for the entrance exam scheduled in July 2016 by attending a private academy from November 2015. There were seven assessment procedures including portfolio assessment, interview, design performance test, and realistic description test. I studied art from early childhood, and held the Silver Prize in an international art contest during high school days. I started learning fashion design when I was a high school student. I felt proud of my performance because my skill was recognized.
In the entrance exam, however, I did not pass any tests at all. I looked back upon myself and realized that I had relied on my ability without relying on God. I had around one and a half months to prepare from the middle of July when I failed, until September 1 when the next exam was held. My academy teachers advised me to add more of my works to my portfolio and reapply but I wanted to make a completely new portfolio. I started to prepare it on my own.
I spent the previous year making the first portfolio. It seemed impossible to make a new one in that short period of time. I was not inspired for design and spent time doing nothing. In early August, Manmin Summer Retreat was drawing nearer. If I went to the retreat, I would have only fifteen days to prepare. My friends said it was ridiculous asking if I would be really okay.
I thought God would bless me if I went to the retreat on the one hand but I felt nervous on the other hand because I had already failed once. But I took part in the retreat. On the third day, I was praising in Camp Fire Worship & Praise led by Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee. I suddenly felt convinced that I received the answer. I no longer felt nervous.
After the retreat, I found artistic inspiration and creative ideas. I felt as if I had a completed work and followed it, and was able to finish the new portfolio within the fifteen days.
On September 1, I entered the test room with confidence and started pencil drawing but it did not go as I wanted. I went to the church's website on my smartphone and received Senior Pastor's prayer. And I tried it again. I could draw well, and I was satisfied with the drawing and the other applicants even followed my style.
In the interview, there were the instructors that I had met in the previous interview. I imagined David approaching Goliath, and kept thinking to myself, "I received the shepherd's prayer. Don't be nervous."
It went really well and they seemed to like me. One of them even said, "Why did you fail in the last test?" Next day I heard I was admitted to the school. Moreover, a foreign friend said my work was so good and advised me to show it to a famous designer multi-shop. As a result, the wardrobe in my portfolio will be produced in July 2017. Hallelujah!
Although I only showed a little faith by participating in the summer retreat, God answered me greatly guiding my way all the time. I give all thanks and glory to God for answering me and I give thanks to my Senior Pastor.
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