Male/21/From China/ Exchange student is South-Korea

I’m 21 years old and a Chinese student in SCNU. I love singing, reading and literature.

I can understand this country's culture abroad, and get to know friends from around the world. The main thing is to learn more advanced science and technology. But I have to adapt to the environment and culture of this country. Sometimes I feel some what lonely and dull. Of course, I will always miss my parents at home.

I think that the Korean culture and food evolve from China. So for the Chinese people to adapt to Korean culture is not a difficult thing. But the Koreans and the Chinese people's way of life is indeed a bit different. In contrast, I am more accustomed to the Chinese people's diet and lifestyle. But I like Korean culture too.  The most important thing of life is language in Korea. Although   learning Korean for Chinese people is a relatively easy thing.  Yet we do not like Korean language complexity of the structure. I have not been to other countries, but I would like to experience the European culture. English is a traditional, systematic language. I like to learn it. But my English is not very good. Europe is the place I am longing for. It has a long history, culture and beautiful natural environment. If I had a chance, I would get it .

I am an exchange student. I can come to Korea to learn through the school's recommendation. I know that Korea has more advanced communications technology .Many countries in Europe and America have it ,too .I can learn a lot of professional skills.

I have no special plans. If I have a opportunity , I would like to study further   to get a master degree in Korea or the other country.

I think I don’t know how to recommend others to go abroad. I believe that if many people have the opportunity to experience the foreign culture and life, they would choose to go abroad especially in China. That will be their life experiences.

Of course, studying courses in South Korea will certainly help my future. Learning professional knowledge will be my way of survival, and can serve human beings.

For racial discrimination, it may not exist in Korea. But people may have different views of culture, for example, many people do not understand China and Chinese. I hope more people understand the changes in China.

 I think global talents are to understand and adapt to global changes including economic, scientific, cultural, national development, etc.

Female/22/From South-Korea /Exchange student in Austria

1.Why study or work abroad?

-Advantages and disadvantages of being abroad

Advantages : I am able to experience various culture differences and

look how they study for their major. Also I can learn languages they

use as well.

Disadvantages : I have to calculate all of my credits for Korean

university system and some of them are not accepted as a course. It's

really complicated. The other thing is to get used to a different

atmosphere.

-homesickness

I don't have much of homesickness because I have been to the US as an

exchange student before, so I feel pretty comfortable. However,

sometimes the things became really hard, then I miss my family and

friends and go back to home as soon as possible.

-motivations (reason)

I've never been to europe for study. Also my major is Education so I

want to see how they teach and study. It was a good opportunity

because my school supported me for my study abroad. I think it is very

great chance to experience the different system.

2. What do you think about its culture (food, traditions, values, people)?

-have you experienced cultural differences? (language barriers, lifestyle)?

I think it is very different between Korea and Europe. The atmosphere

is different and people are also different from their looking and

personality. There are not many Asians who study here so sometimes

they look at us little bit strangely. Also I don't speak German so

it's really hard for me to get close with other people. Furthermore,

the stores are closed at 7p.m. so it's not familiar thing for me.

Sometimes it's inconvienient.

3. Why you wanted to study in Austria?

There is not specific reason for studying in Austria. I don't like

cold weather which is like in Finland and also I was planning to

travel to Italy so I chose Austria which is the center of the Europe.

But on the other side, I looked at the course book for Univ. of

Innsbruck before I came here. It said the courses that I wanted to

take. I was really satisfied with the courses which are existed here.

4. Do you think that the period you've stayed in Austria will be

usefull in your future?

(If you say yes, Why do you think that? How can be it usefull for you?)

I could see the difference school system and the procedure to be a

teacher in Austria. One day I will become a teacher in the future, I

might able to use some good method from Austian education to my class.

Also for my independence, it's really good experience because I live

here by myself. I cook for my meals and I have to be responsible

whatever I do here. I think this helps me a lot to become more mature

than before.

5. What are your future plans?

When I go back to Korea, first of all I have to look for my teacher

qualification exam. I think I will start to prepare for that exam.

Also I will search for some internship which is offered by NGO. I am

really interested in International work. Thus I will keep going with

my interest.

6. How was your experience?

At first, I sometimes regret that I came here. That's because my

major in English, so it might be better to go to English speaking

country. Also there are some courses are not fit into me. I pretty

much don't satisfied with my some courses. However, I think it is good

to learn the second foreign language which is German. Even if it is

hard to live here, I will become stronger than before after I pass all

of the difficulties here.

7.What can you say to motivate people to go abroad too?

-tips for people who plan to go abroad

I think the title of STUDENT is perfect present for our life. That's

because if you are student, you can do anything you want. There are so

many things that you can do when you are student. You can get some

discount for tickets, participating in special events, or getting

knowledge from institutions. My mom always said "Experience the world

as much as you can during your student life." I totally agree with my

mom. You can get a lot of information besides your study when you go

abroad. You will able to grow up and have a power to independence.

Just enjoy your young age and feel the way you are.

8.How did your experience/s change or affect how you think and your personality?

In my opinion, I could think about my life style. I was complaining

everyday when I had a problem or difficulty. However, after I changed

my mind to a positive way, everything worked out well! I was very

proud of myself because I overcome difficulties that I was faced to,

and it gave me an advice to think possitively. Live my life in my own

way and love what I am doing.

9. Have you ever experienced a racial discrimination?

NO.

10. What is the best necessity to be a global talent ?

As I said before, I think two things are important for global talent.

One is confidence and the other one is understanding. In globalized

society, there are many countries and many cultures are existed. There

are nothing wrong with every culture. They are just different. I think

people need to be confident of their country but understand other

culture and society. That's the global talented person I can imagine.

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.

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?

  

 An open, considerate, and understanding mind. This is because every culture is similar and different in many ways. We must always remember where we are, what is great in your country might not be legal in another country. So if we have an open, considerate, and understanding mind we can truly be a global talent, and person.

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