My Philosophy as an Athletic Training Student

There is a point in one’s life when a thing, big or small, happens, and that thing may change the path of life, and affect the whole life set front of one. It happened when I was a freshman in high school. I tore my left Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) while practicing Taekwondo, the traditional Korean martial arts. As an aspiring Taekwondo player, and also a fervent fan of playing sports, I felt like losing a part of me when the accident happened. I had to get a surgery, and also went to rehabilitation in a sports medicine center. It was a really hard time for a young guy, not being able to move as I wanted, and just watch others play on the field. In the rehab, I met an athletic trainer. His skills, attitude, professionalism as an athletic trainer made the time in the rehab valuable and also bearable. I grew to become his fan as time went on. Thanks to his help, I could return to play sports activity. That is the time when I decided to become an athletic trainer.

I studied and prepared hard to get into the university that I wanted to pursue my dream as an Athletic Trainer (AT). After getting a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine, I worked as an AT for badminton and basketball teams for two years. Then I came to the States, where the Athletic Training field is most developed and prominent, to learn and experience more. By coming to the States, and having experiences in American sports teams, I could see that Athletic training in Korean has many differences from Athletic training in America. First of all, in Korea, we do not have certification and licensure for ATs. Anyone who has experience in the field can work as an AT. Also, they does all kinds of work for the team, from manager, chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage therapist, to physical therapist. Even though, it may seem a little bit weird to do such many works, I liked being an AT in Korea. I think being an AT is like being a mother of every athlete. ATs do everything for athletes, physically and psychologically, just like a mom. Mothers sacrifice, put a lot of effort on their kids. I think that is what an AT should be to athletes; the mom on the field. Being an AT does not mean just being able to take care of sports-related injuries, but also mending athletes’ emotional or psychological parts and injuries. By doing so, ATs can make an emotional bond with athletes, and also strengthen the trust, which can often lead to the successful care.

Athletic trainers put tons of efforts and time to their career. One has to study the courses in Athletic Training Program, but not just that, he/she has to have as many clinical experience as possible to become a professional AT. Thanks to the scientific development and technological advancement, more efficient, better, and new skills and techniques are coming out. Even after one gets a job as an AT, obtaining continuous education and countless effort must be followed to be a better AT. Considering all the aspects of being an AT, I think it is very important for one to be really passionate and have a high pride in being an AT. One should really love being an AT, or not it will be a really hard time for both the AT and his/her athletes. ‘Passionate’ and ‘professional’ are all you have to know about Athletic training.

Since I am an international student, I feel that I have to have different mindset from others. I believe that I can have more and more chances to learn various things as I try by best. I appreciate every lesson and experience I get to have. I believe that I am lucky to have the chance to experience the different Athletic training system in the States as an AT student. Not just inside the school program, I plan to try harder to have as many chances to learn from other institutes or clinicians, and get the most out of my limited time in the States. Even though the time here is limited, I think the potential value of what I learn and experience is unlimited. I also have a belief that if I do my best and learn valuable lessons here, I could bring changes to the Athletic training field in Korea, which in the end leads to the betterment of the Athletic training system in Korea. Some elite and aspiring Korean athletes go abroad to have orthopedic surgeries and rehabs. Also, many allied health professionals want to come to the States and learn. That is the reality of the Athletic training field in Korea right now. The field of Athletic training in Korea needs to be more developed. I, however, think that we can see such a reality in a bright side. We have more potential to grow up. I can be the movement. I can be part of the change.

Building a rehab center would be my final goal. Many athletes and physically active people can get valuable services in Athletic training, Nutrition, Biomechanics, Conditioning, and so on. Also there should be seminar sessions that many Athletic training students can learn, experience, and develop themselves to become successful ATs. I believe this would make the field of Athletic training in Korea stronger.