12^th floor of Bukakgwan, it is not easy to knock the door of professor’s room for Korean students. But there is one professor who keeps her door wide open with easy listening music.

It is Professor Robin Debecker’s who is having 8 years expatriate experience in Korea. She keeps her door wide opened for students to come easily.

There is a big picture frame of her students who she taught so far. Every single student is very important to her, she said.

What brought her to Korea?

We interviewed one more KMU stander, Professor Robin Debecker.

Q1. What was your purpose to come to Korea?

It was year 2000 for my first step to Korea with my family. My husband’s job was related to PEACE AMBASSADOR, so I came to Seoul. My hope is dream. Therefore, I try to teach how to understand other cultures; and more, how to be multi-cultural person. I’m sure that it will help world peace.

Q2. How did you decide to work in KMU?

It was great opportunity that I could start teaching at University. When I applied for job in University, it was very highly competitive. I’ve applied to Ewha Women’s, Hanyang, and Kookmin Universities.

I impressed the most at KMU because of beautiful campus with the nature. Beside this actual environment, KMU support the best working condition to teach creatively. Cultural and academical exchanges were bouncy, so each could understand better.

Q3. What’s the difference between American and Korean Universities?

There are huge differences between them. One of advantages is ‘respect to teacher’ of Korean students. This is really good advantage for them.

For campus, most of Korean universities are well built in modern style. But class is not very creative. Professor speaks and students note, this style does not help students at all.

In American college, class is going in discussion style between professor and students.

Q4. How do you feel teaching in KMU?

First of all, I enjoy teaching. I’d try to make class fun. I think that it will make students to learn English without discomfort. My classes are always quite noisy but I tell them to speak; speaking is more important than grammar.

Q5. Many Korean students are interesting in English. Could you give them a piece of advice?

I tell my students “Go find foreigners, talk to them in English.”

It will be very nervous and embarrass at the first time, but most of my students told me that it was very fun experience after they took it over.

“Read fun and easy English book.”

It is not good to start with complicated books. So I recommend to start with easy and light readings, such as novels. You will step closer to your goal on TOEIC or TOEFL afterwards. Of course you need to work hard though.

Q6. What’s your goal in KMU?

I hope to publish book with my teaching experience. I already have a book of 200 students’ stories. It gives me a lot of ideas. And I also want to publish more about my experience with my students.

To help their English, I’d want to find better way in teaching.

These are my goals in KMU.