The CNU Summer Session for International Students is a 6-7 week program that offers international students a chance to take a few academic courses for credit while also experiencing Korean culture. This summer, three students volunteered to share their experiences with the Chungdae Post : Nathan Tokheim from Lamar University in America, Rafaella Franco from Minas Gerais State University in Brazil, and Adriana Martin from University of Bucharest in Romania.

1. What did you like about the SSIS program? Tokheim: The classes had a very nice environment, because they were in a more international context. In Texas, everyone is Texan, except for maybe one person, but here, there are people from everywhere. Although I’ve encountered some difficulties communicating in English with people, I think it was beneficial overall because it adds perspective. Martin: While developing friendships in Korea, I saw that in Romania, people are all so similar, but here, people were so different. I was amazed and at the same time really happy because even though we were from different cultures and different continents, we could get along so well. Every time I go to a different country, my perspective gets broader from meeting different people.

2. What was something you will never forget       experiencing? Tokheim: Probably the food. You can tell people about chi-maek and san-nakji, but until you feel that live octopus

squirming in your mouth, you don’t know what it’s like. That’s something you can’t get in Texas. Also, you can get a taste of Korean culture in America by going to Korea Town and eat Korean food, but it makes more sense now that I’ve lived here for a few weeks. Franco: The experience that I liked the most was visiting the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, because it was related to my major, which is electrical engineering. It was very interesting because we don’t have the opportunity in Brazil to experience this first-hand. In Korea, everything seems technologically advanced because I can see solar panels everywhere as well. Also, visiting the Magoksa temple was memorable, because we don’t have Buddhism in Brazil. It was huge, colorful, and peaceful, as it was placed in the mountains. Martin: I think what I liked the most was the visit to the Traditional Village in Jeonju during our second week here in Korea. We were able to wear hanboks and walk around in such a beautiful setting that we didn’t want to go back home. We would have stayed there all day. We also got to visit a museum and see portraits of the ancient rulers of Korea, so we learned a lot as well. It was all in all an amazing experience!

3. Was there anything uncomfortable during your stay? Tokheim: The first time I went to the public bath, I was taken aback at the first three or four minutes because I didn’t expect everyone to be naked all the time. It was strange at first because I thought you would have a towel in the changing room, but eventually you get used to it. Franco: I realized that people don’t hug here, so I didn’t know what to do when meeting my Korean buddy for the first time. In Brazil, it is not polite to refuse the other person a hug while greeting them. Also, the older people seem to be a little impatient with foreigners. I was at E-Mart,

and an older woman pushed a cart at me to try to make me hurry. Later, a Brazilian couple explained to me that this is common. Martin: When I was walking with my friends on the street just outside of the university campus, there were some people who were in their thirties and forties taking pictures of us with their cameras. It was weird. Also, what was very unusual and different was the school system of relative grading. I think that can be very stressful for students.
4. What do you miss most about your home countries? Tokheim: I really want to mention that even though people drink so much Americano in Korea, they need to try good drip coffee. During my entire trip, I have been looking for some, and I could not find any. I had it once at a hostel in Seoul. That’s probably the only thing I miss. Franco: I miss my family, boyfriend, and home. But I also really miss the food because Korean food is a little bit too spicy. I miss cheese bread the most, which is a traditional food in Brazil. My Brazilian friends in Korea have cooked some for me here