Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Rachel Nhan [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Rachel Nhan Hyesu and Suji Shin stand on the steps to the Corps of Cadets Headquarters. The sisters are in Squadron 21 and said they love the traditions at Texas A&M. [Click to enlarge]

Freshmen in the Corps of Cadets have to deal with many challenges, including shouting sophomores and meticulous uniform inspections. Imagine also having the challenges of living in a foreign country and learning English as a second language.

Cadets Hyesu and Suji Shin experience all of the above.

Born in South Korea, the Shin twins spent their childhood years in Korea until they moved to Singapore freshman year of high school. After spending a year at the Singapore International School the family moved to Austin to finish high school.

They applied to Texas A&M because of the desire to stay in Texas, and after one campus visit, they knew there was no other place for them. The Corps was an added bonus.

"We came here for the college visit, and my mom saw people in uniforms, and she found out about the Corps, and she recommended us to join," Hyesu said.

"She actually forced us to join, she said, 'Y'all need to get the discipline,'" Suji said.

The Shin's parents are familiar with a military background because military service is mandatory for men in Korea. Aggie traditions, however, are harder to explain, Hyesu said. .

"Being in the Corps is like being in the heart of the college here - it has such a long tradition and history," Hyesu said. "We like challenging ourselves, and we wanted to be part of the school."

Squadron 21 outfit member Britany Bennett, a junior sociology major, said the twins' love for a challenge shows.

"They are actually really motivated," she said. "We ask them questions about how they are doing and they are always happy and excited to do things, they like a challenge. Whatever it is, they will put their all into it. I see that a lot. They are both different but have the same mindset as far as academics and motivation."

The identical twins - referred to as Shin One and Shin Two - are both in Squadron 21, which has potential to cause a bit of confusion.

"Even though we are identical we really don't look that alike, and we have like totally opposite characteristics. She is more girly, and I am a tomboy. But if we have our hair tied back people get confused," Suji said.

In the Corps, females must have their hair cut short or tied back in a bun while in uniform, increasing the chance of mix-ups. Bennett said it's been a fun experience telling the twins apart.

"We have never had a set of twins so we were really excited when they joined our outfit. Some people can't tell the difference between them so people try to figure out which one is which," Bennett said.

Freshman aerospace engineering major and fellow Squadron 21 cadet Fernando Aguilera said telling them apart can be tricky but gets easier with time.

"Once you get to know them it's not very hard because they are very much the same but at the same time one is more shy, and the other one is outgoing in that aspect," Aguilera said. "But other than that they are both very nice and very smart and very easy going."

The twins haven't played any switching identity tricks on the upperclassmen, but they said they are planning a few for next year.

"We will definitely next year to our freshman. We can make them guess 'which Shin am I?'" Suji said.

Despite the hard workouts and early mornings, Hyesu said her Corps experience has been more than worth it with the friendships she has built.

"I've never had this kind of relationship with my friends before," she said. "We are going through this hard stuff and even though we are from different countries and backgrounds we have the similarity of being in the Corps."

The twins have chosen different majors and career paths, but they both have one interest in common: service.

Hyesu, a psychology major, wants to become a speech pathologist or child psychologist.

"I want to help children that are suffering. I see that a lot of parents divorce, and that is really affecting children in many ways," Hyesu said. "I love children and they have so much potential to become good individuals so I want to help them out."

Suji plans to use her chemistry major to pursue dentistry, which she wants to use in the mission field.

"When we graduate we want to go to third world countries to do missions and help people. That is one of the reasons I want to be dentist, is to help," Suji said. "I want to start with Korea, there are people there who need help, and then go to Afghanistan or Malaysia."

No matter where the twins end up, the lessons they have learned from the Corps will follow them wherever they go.

"So far we have learned so much being in the Corps: time management, communication and being intense," Hyesu said.

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