It has been 13 years since the commencement of the 21st century when people shouted out the global era. According to the movement of the global era, Kookmin University also promoted exchange program with overseas universities while having sisterhood relationship. Thanks to such efforts, many students went abroad as a foreign exchange student and many foreign students from all over the world came to Kookmin University. Sometimes, it seems that something is missing when there is no foreign student’s name in the attendance book. This is ‘Another Kookmin People’ that introduces a foreign student with different nationality who shares and studies in the same campus. For this time, we met 릴리스 누르 who is the only Indonesian Kookmin people. Selamat Pagi (It is a morning greeting in Indonesian). 

Q. It is amazing that your major is Korean history. What is your reason for studying Korean history and even coming to Korea?

When I was in Indonesia, I majored in Korean Studies. In the School of Korean Studies, we learn about the Korean language, Korean culture, Korean history, and Korean companies. But there was no Indonesian professor for the Korean history class so a Korean professor taught me. Of course, a Korean professor teaches well about the Korean culture but I thought that the students can understand Korean history better if it is taught by an Indonesian professor. So I am studying Korean history in Kookmin University to become a professor of Korean history.

Q. What is your first impression of Kookmin University?

I first came to Kookmin University on February 26th. My first impression was that it was too cold. The average temperature of Indonesia is about 34 degrees. Since the place where I lived was warm, I felt how the winter in Korea was even colder. It was too cold that I had a nosebleed. Like that, my nose was bleeding and I was pulling my bedclothes over my head to fight against coldness. As I got used to the cold weather, I was able to finally see the campus. I think that the campus of Kookmin University is very beautiful. The autumn foliage is beautiful, too. But I don’t like the snow covered campus as it is so cold (Laugh).

Q. What are the differences between the university life in Korea and Indonesia?

First of all, Korean university students seem to really enjoy food. They find good restaurants after class and especially, they like grilled pork belly and Soju as well as fried chicken and beer. Most Indonesian university students are Muslim. As you know, pork and alcoholic beverage are prohibited among Muslims. So, Indonesian university students go to a singing room or department store when they are stressed out. The concept of a department store in Korea is slightly different from that of Indonesia, as it is a cultural space where people can enjoy performances and shopping. I think that the campus life in Korea is a little more interesting. Although I cannot eat pork and drink liquor, I really enjoy fried chicken.

Q. There seems to be a lot of interesting experiences caused by different culture.

Of course there are a lot of interesting experiences. It was hard for me to distinguish the formal and casual way of speaking. There was a time when a professor called my name and I answered “Eoh, Whae? (Yeah, why? in English).” Every student in the class laughed a lot. The professor was very embarrassed and not I feel very sorry. Also, it was difficult to know the difference between Korean greetings. For example, my friend said “It was nice meeting you. Let’s have a cup of coffee later” when saying goodbye and I answered, “Yes, okay.” I thought that my friend would come back ‘LATER’ to have coffee with me so I waited for her for a long time. Later, she came and said, “You’re still here” so I asked, “You said that we would have coffee later.” Then she said, “It is like a farewell expression when saying goodbye.” I thought it was an appointment to have a cup of coffee, not to say goodbye. (Laugh) Also, there was a time when I waited for my friend because I thought what she said was, “I will leave and come back after exercise (It literally means that way in Korea); but, it was just a way of saying goodbye.

Q. What activities did you have in Kookmin University?

I made a field investigation with the Department of Korean History for 9 nights and 10 days. I went to Chungcheon-do in June and Taebaek cultural area for this semester. It was a good opportunity as I was able to get closer to my classmates. Also, I participated in the farming village volunteer service. It had great experience through napa cabbage planting, rice-planting, and spreading grass. Most of all, the thrill that I felt when riding a jet boat was truly unforgettable. Now, I am participating in a club called Prometheus. Although its major activity is discussion, I have a great time with club friends by seeing performances or going for a walk. I went to membership training with Korean friends. Although I cannot have a drink, I really enjoyed the games and so I attended several times. Thanks to this, I have now become a master of speed game.

Q, Tell us about the friends you’ve made in Korea.

I have so many good friends in Korea. I most appreciate my friend whom I keep in touch after our relationship in Indonesia. She helped me the most for my adaptation in Korea. Also, there is a Korean student who went to Indonesia as an exchange student. Even now, I read street signs in Indonesia through a messenger and she guides me to the good restaurants in Korea. She becomes so envious whenever I take a photo of Kimchi and send it to her (Laugh). Also, I like everyone in my Korean history major and club friends. I cannot forget the memories I had when I went to North Seoul Forest, Namsan Tower, and Nami Island. I was able to travel a lot in Korea because of my friends.

Q. What is Kookmin University to you?

For me, it is the greatest experience as well as the most challenging period. The time I spent in Korea is the best time of my life. I made a lot of good friends and had various experiences because of Kookmin University. At the same time, I had to seriously think about my future direction so it is the most challenging period. Of course, I also had many bitter experiences but now I really like Kookmin University. I am retuning to Indonesia after this semester. But I plan to study again in the graduate school of Kookmin University after an intense study in Indonesia.  

Q. Do you have any words for other Kookmin people?

Sometimes, people look at me strangely because I am a foreigner. I hope that people would not act that way because I am human, same as them. It would be good not to see me differently because excessive attention and hostility is somewhat uncomfortable. I hope that you to treat me as a person and a student just like you are. Also, I want my friends in Kookmin University to cheer up. Korean students seem to live hard. Tests are difficult and there are many things to be done. Such things make them busy so I want everyone to cheer up and love Kookmin University a lot!

While having an interview with 릴리스, I was overwhelmed with how natural she speaks the Korean language. When asked about her age, she didn’t say ’21 years old’ but said ‘born in 1992.’ She said that she preferred my dialect (I am from a rural area) rather than my clumsy use of the Seoul dialect. While seeing her, I even doubted that she was really from Indonesia. She said she came to Korea because she likes there. She already has the scent of a Korean. Foreign students are able to adjust well in Korea; however, we treat and see them as unfamiliar strangers. From her words that asked us to see foreigners as people like we are, I realized how immature our attitude is. The true consideration to foreign students who live as other Kookmin people is not to provide excessive hospitality but to share a comfortable and natural atmosphere. I expect that Kookmin University strives to become not just a school with many foreign students but a Korean university where foreign students want to study.