There are many foreign students at Kookmin University. Each country has its own culture and we have different thoughts because we grew up in different environments, I wondered what foreign students think about Korea and Kookmin University. To hear about their life as a student in Korea, I interviewed four Kookmin University foreign students. Let’s delve into their stories!

Le Thi Thao Ly
(Media and Communication)
from Vietnam

1.How long have you been in Korea? How long have you gone to Kookmin University?
I have been in Korea for one year and seven months. And I have been studying at Kookmin University since the end of March, 2017.

2. Why did you choose Kookmin University?
I wanted to s tudy in Korea for a long time, but I couldn’t find any opportunities, so I delayed a gain and again. But I found out I could do the Kookmin University interview through a study abroad agency. At that time, Kookmin University was the only in Seoul, so I chose to study here.

3. Have you experienced OT or MT at Kookmin University and Korean culture of drinking alcohol with KMU students? How was it?

I have experienced club MT twice. In Vietnam, there is no notion about MT, so I went to MT for the first time in Korea. Every time I go to MT, I hanged out with my friends and have so much fun. Also I drank a lot of alcohol. I drank so much alcohol with my club friends. When we drink it together, I talked a lot with people, played games, and had so much fun together. In Vietnam, it’s still very conservative, so girls don’t often drink alcohol. So I like Korea culture of drinking alcohol together!

4. Are there any new or interesting things during your time at Kookmin University? What is the best memory in Kookmin University? Why?
It is really good to live school life because the school facilities are really convenient and good. The most memorable is maybe the Bugak Hall elevator because I was late for class many times because of it. I can’t explain how much I enjoy being in Korea. So I can’t say opinions of life of Korea in short. I want to say ‘good’. It involved a lot of meaning that I have so much fun in Korea.

Adriana
(Entertainment Design)
from Mexico

1.How long have you been in Korea? How long have you gone to Kookmin University?
I arrived in Korea in February 2016. Almost three years ago. I have been studying in Kookmin University since last semester.

2. Why did you choose Kookmin University?
After comparing different universities, Kookmin University was the one that most caught my attention.

3. Have you experienced OT or MT at Kookmin University? How was it?
Yes, at the beginning of last semester I had an OT. It was specific for international students, and because most of them were Chinese, the information they gave us was in Korean and Chinese. It was really frustrating. On the other hand, the MT I went to was lovely. I went with my club friends. This club is attended by foreign and Korean students who want to interact with us. The environment was
the best, because these Koreans are open mind and it is very easy to interact with them.

4. Have you experienced Korean culture of drinking alcohol with KMU students? How was it?
I think that culture does not apply to us so much because we are foreigners and Koreans do not put so much pressure on us to drink. But it’s a completely different story when it occurs between Koreans. Sometimes it bothers me to see how  the elderly press the others to drink against their will. I also believe that for the Korean culture it is very difficlt to make a friendship bond, therefore they us alcohol as a way to be able to talk and interact with more freedom. On the other hand, in the Latin culture you can become friends with someone from the first moment you meet them, without the need of alcohol.

5. What is the best memory in Kookmin University? Why?
It was very particular how it happened but I joined an American football club. And although at first it was the only foreigners, and most of the members are men, thanks to the captain I feel part of the team.

6. What are things that you want or wish to be improved when you study or have time in Kookmin University?
Before studying at Kookmin University, I studied Korean at Hankook University of Foreign Studies, which is a foreign friendly school. What I mean is that students and teachers are used to the needs of non-Korean students. But at Kookmin University, it is very problematic to try to solve a problem for a foreign student except for the Chinese students. And I think the problem is that they do not have the experience to handle students of another nationality, yet. Life for a foreigner in Korea is difficult. No matter how well you speak the language of follow the rules of society you will always be a foreigner and Koreans are going to remind you every opportunity they have. So the best thing is not to pay attention to bad situations and keep going, and somewhere you will find people who help you go through it.

Dao Linh Anh
(Management Information Systems)
from Vietnam

1.How long have you been in Korea? How long have you gone to Kookmin University?
I have been in Korea for six years but I’m a freshman in Kookmin University.

2. Why did you choose Kookmin University?
I don’t have very special reason why I chose Kookmin University. I chose it because it is neared by my house to reduce transport fee.

3. Have you experienced OT or MT at Kookmin University and Korean culture of drinking alcohol with KMU students? How was it?
In Vietnam, we don’t drink alcohol or play games when we go to OT. We just explain about school and finish and that’s all. So I feel that Korea OT and MT give us many more opportunities to make more friends. I never experienced drinking culture like Korea when I was in Vietnam, so I don’t know how it compares. But I have experienced it a lot in Korea and I think it fits me well. It’s so fun. I had a great time drinking alcohol with my friends.

4.What is the best memory in Kookmin University? Why?
The best memory at Kookmin University was major MT. It felt like looking at a new world. I hadn’t seen anything like that before. Everything was new to me but it was very interesting.

5. What are the things you want or wish to be improved when you study at Kookmin University?
I want a little bit more care about offering facilities. It is so much fun to enjoy a lot and live in Korea. Also I made beautiful memories with friends in Korea. So I think the life of Korea fits well to me.

Racha Jawad
(Entertainment Design)
from Morocco

1.How long have you been in Korea? How long have you gone to Kookmin University? 
2 and a half years, and it is my second semester at Kookmin University.

2. Why did you choose Kookmin University?
I was really interested in it because it has many good opportunities for foreigners.

3. Have you experienced OT or MT at Kookmin University and Korean culture of drinking alcohol with KMU students? How was it?
No, I have never experienced that because I have a really busy life so I could not join any MT. But I have experienced drinking culture. Actually, we don’t have drinking culture in my country. So, it was actually pretty nice to drink with friends who are in the same class with me. You can become close friends and share beautiful conversation, but and most importantly create memories.

4. What is the best memory in Kookmin University? Why?
The best memory is meeting really good friends that helped me a lot to adapt. Especially this semester!

5. What are the things you want or wish to be improved when you study at Kookmin University?
Maybe more activities during our free time, especially sports activities. It was and still a good experience that helped me grow a lot. I will always be thankful to that South Korea is like my second home.

How was it while reading the interviews of four foreign students? It might be new to know foreign students’ thoughts about life at Kookmin University. There will be many different thoughts about it because we are all different people who are raised in different cultures. But it was very impressive that students from other countries had a great time in Korea. Also, it seems many foreign students who came to Kookmin to study abroad are suffering difficulties in their lives with not enough information. I hope the school can make improvements in helping and supporting foreign students on our campus soon. Lastly, if you see foreign students at school or in class, don’t be afraid too much or avoid them and welcome them with open arms! Then you and foreign students might become good friends.

Sae-Yoon Kim
The Kookmin Review Reporter
sayun09@naver.com