Diane

Philip Jaisohn: A Determined Doctor

Diane

PS 128M

Class 501

Imagine a world where independence is very difficult to find, and in order to get independence you have to fight for it. Well, this was the world in which Philip Jaisohn lived. However, despite obstacles he faced in life, Philip Jaisohn achieved success as the very first Korean to get a medical degree in the United States. Now that should be inspiring to us all! So get ready to enter the world of Philip Jaisohn. Hold on tight because this time machine is going back to 1864 in the South Cholla Province of Korea.

>Philip Jaisohn lived an interesting and a dangerous life.He was born Suh Jae-Pil in the South Cholla Province of Korea on November 28, 1864. Later he changed his name to the American name Phillip Jaisohn. Philip Jaisohn was the first Korean to become a United States Citizen in 1890. He earned his medical degree in 1892, and became the first Korean doctor in the United States. Before that, he studied classical Chinese literature in Korea, humanities in the United States, and modern military arts in Japan. However, these achievements were not easy for Jaisohn.In fact, he came to the United States after being exiled* from his own country because he planned to overthrow the Korean government. He was not able to return to his country again until 1896,which was when he began the first Korean newspaper, ìThe Independent.î While there he spent his life fighting for the creation of a democratic government.He never gave up his fight to make Korea a better place for all its citizens until he died in 1951.

Philip Jaisohn is an important part of American History because he is Americaís first Korean citizen and first Korean doctor. He showed the way for other Koreans to become a part of America just as he did. Also, we respect him because he spent his life fighting for Koreaís independence, just as past Americans fought for the freedom that we enjoy in the United States today. Philip Jaisohnís life should help us to appreciate the liberty that we have and never take it for granted.

I hope you see that this Korean doctor teaches us that we should value our country and our freedom. Also, if we care about something we should fight for it, just like Jaisohn did when he was trying to fight for the independence of his country. Finally, no matter how difficult your life gets, just look at Philip Jaisohn and how he succeeded by remaining determined in his goal.

*Exile= to send someone away from his or her country and order that person not to return.

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