Monday, 17 October 2011
Female/23/From Estonia/ Exchange student in South-Korea
1.Why study or work abroad?
-Advantages and disadvantages of being abroad
I think the biggest advantage of being abroad is getting to know new culture. And the other big advantage is language practice. Living in other country gives more independence.
-homesickness
For me the homesickness started from 3-4 day. And it was maybe until the end of second week (I mean moodless and really missing home). Ofcourse I miss my family and friends but now it's more interesting to see everything and gain new experions.
-motivations (reason)
When I first thought of going abroad I knew that if I am going, then far from home. For me the biggest motivation was to experience living in totally different culture from our culture.
2. What do you think about its culture (food, traditions,values, people)?
At first it was hard to get used to the food. In Korea most of food is very spicy comparing to our food.
It was also strange that people in different age have to follow different rules how to behave.
The most frightening thing for me was the langugage barrier, because when I got here nobody was speaking English with me. And because all the signs are in Korean I couldn't go anywhere.
3. For foreigners, why come and study in Korea?
Korean people are very friendly, helpful and hospitable. The welcome was so worm and everybody wants you to feel as home.
And because the culture is so interesting.
4. What are your future plans?
At first graduate from school and then go to work. And in further future I would like to come back to Korea.
5. How was your experience?
I am very happy that I came to Korea. I have some really good friends, I have seen many interesting places. I would recommend exchange semester in Korea to everybody who are thinking of going abroad.
6.What can you say to motivate people to go abroad too?
I think that if you have the chance to go abroad you should use this. Everything what you do will give you experience what you can use in future.
-tips for people who plan to go abroad
You should talk to your family and friends, because it is quite sure that you're gonna have some rough periods when you need support. So it is very important that they will support you when you want to go abroad.
7.How did your experience/s change or affect how you think and your personality?
I value my home more after being away from there.
8. What is the most difficult thing for you when you have stayed in Korea?
I think it is the langugage barrier.
9. Why did you decide to come to Korea than other countries?
The main reason was the cultural difference. To see the traditions which are still alive compearing with some other countries. To get to know another-way-thinking people.
10. Do you think that the period you've stayed in Korea will be useful in your future?
I think that every period in life is useful somehow. This period in Korea I can use in my future work because one part of my major is teaching multucultural students.
11. Have you ever experienced a racial discrimination?
No. But it is a bit funny to be foreigner in Korea, because people are looking at you.
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Male/25/From Canada/English teacher
Why study or work abroad?
As I am an English teacher I can only attest to the rationale in regards to working abroad as opposed to studying abroad. The reason I choose to work abroad was the same as most, in my opinion. The chance to try something new and challenging, to see a different part of the world, and of course to earn money. The obvious hurdle most foreigners face is homesickness only further agitated by the language barrier one faces in a new country. Hence, many of my friends have gone, or will go home, in a 1-2 year period.
What do you think of Korean culture?
In my opinion Korean culture has done an excellent job of maintaining it’s ‘roots’ all the while expanding to meet the needs of a changing world. The traditional Korean foods are similar, if not the same, as they have always been; so I have heard, as I was not here in Korea a long time ago and of course I am not Korean. However, Korea does such an interesting take on Western foods; it is delicious, fresh, and overall healthier. To speak to the social culture; Koreans are extremely considerate to foreigners for the most part and always try to be as helpful as possible; I must say I am astonished by the ‘politeness’ I see every day. The values possessed by Korean people for the most part, seem to me, to be very high and moral. There is not a lot of lying, stealing, or cheating that goes on, to the best of my knowledge. Also, as I high school teacher I am truly shocked at how hard the students work and that there are little to no fights.
For foreigners, why come and study/work in Korea? in SCNU?
Again I can only offer a bit of insight into why a foreign English teacher would come here to work. So the rationale most likely comes down to money and ease of qualification. Korea pays the most out of Asian countries and perhaps more importantly only requires a university degree, as opposed to other countries which require a TESOL/ TEFL certificate or something of the like.
What are your future plans?
This question is a tricky one, the only thing I can tell you is that my future plan is to return home to Canada in April 2012, 2 years away from home in the same place, is enough.
How is/was your experience?
My Korean experience has simply been the best year and 6 months of my life, and will be the best 2 years. I feel the more words I use will only take away from true meaning of ‘best years of my life’.
What can you say to motivate people to go abroad too?
Feel like most people get comfortable and/or really try to achieve careers and stability at such a young age now; then when they are older and are trapped in a career and have families, there is not time to travel and see the world and try new things, so there is regret; not for all, but for some. I would suggest young graduates with student loans confused about how they will get a job, get out of debt, afford a car, afford an apartment, to go abroad and teach or try to work somewhere else. See the world, make some money, get valuable experiences. Honestly, I have changed and grown so much as person thanks to my time abroad, I have really had my eyes and mind opened much bigger than they ever were before.
How did your experience/s change or affect how you think and your personality?
My experience here has definitely helped me become more of a confident public speaker as well as even more outgoing. I was confident before when speaking, but teaching a new language requires a much more developed confidence and skill, I have certainly benefitted from that. Also being here, you are not with your family and friends, so you must ‘really’ be outgoing in order to meet new friends.
What is the most difficult thing for you when you have stayed in Korea?
The most difficult thing would have to be being away from my family. I really grew close to my family in the two years before I left, so I really miss them. Also in my second year I am really missing food from home.
Why did you decide to come to Korea than other countries?
I came to Korea because of the money and the simplicity of qualification to get a teaching job.
Have you ever experienced a racial discrimination?
Yes I have experienced it, a few times. However, most Koreans are so polite, helpful, and considerate to foreigners.
What is the best necessity to be a global talent?
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Our Global group :)
Coffee and discussions go together. Brain must have some energy :) In our group meetings we were discussing what is the purpose of our project, how we will make the interviews and how our team will work :) We organized ourselves into two teams that work would be more effective.
Jane, Seung Heon, Chaewon - team 1.
Chrystel and 주재관 - team 2.
Members of our group :
Jane Peets from ESTONIA
Chrystel Agcol from PHILIPPINES
Seung Heon Han from SOUTH-KOREA
주재관 from SOUTH - KOREA
Chaewon Han from SOUTH-KOREA
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