The day I thought 9/11 might cancel my college entrance exam
Twenty-five years after Sept. 11, I still think about the distance between witnessing a catastrophe and living through one. On Sept. 11, 2001, I was a high school senior in Korea. On the television in our classroom, black smoke was rising from the World Trade Center. Then, another plane struck the other tower. Not long afterward, the buildings came down. I was frightened and wondered whether this…
In 2001, I was a senior in high school in Korea when the events of 9/11 unfolded. On television, I witnessed smoke rising from the World Trade Center, followed by another plane striking the second tower. The buildings eventually collapsed, leaving me frightened about potential consequences. However, another thought crossed my mind: maybe the college entrance exam would be canceled. I had two months left to take Korea's College Scholastic Ability Test, or suneung, a crucial exam influencing university admissions.
The exam was not canceled, and two months later, I returned to school to continue preparing. Upon returning, I focused on solving math problems, determined to take the test as scheduled. When the television was eventually turned off, my workbook remained untouched beside the school desk. Years later, after completing my mandatory military service and returning to university, I crossed paths with an American exchange student named Timothy. Timothy hailed from New York City.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- The day I thought 9/11 might cancel my college entrance exam koreatimes.co.kr
