Chinese Language Specialist Soldier (Army)
Update
I recently received exciting news—I was accepted as a Chinese Language Specialist in the Army. The selection process had two stages. The first was based on HSK
scores, and I earned 278/300 on Level 6, ranking 10th out of 43 candidates.
The second stage tested both translation (번역) and interpretation (통역). For translation, I was given one Korean article to translate into Chinese and another Chinese article to render into Korean. For interpretation, I listened to several Korean and Chinese audio files and translated them in real time into the opposite language.
To prepare, I immersed myself in research, memorized military jargon (attached as an excel on this post), and read articles to sharpen my accuracy and speed. This effort paid off: I ranked 7th out of 22 candidates, and only 11 were accepted.
The process was challenging but deeply rewarding, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve while pursuing my passion for languages.
Looking Ahead
As I step into this new role, I want to go beyond just translation. My goal is to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, ensuring clear communication in high-stakes environments. I hope to keep sharpening my skills in both Korean and Chinese while also building resilience, discipline, and leadership during my service. Ultimately, I see this as a stepping stone—an experience that will prepare me for future work in diplomacy, international relations, or technology-driven language solutions.