The second student that I Interviewed is one of our graduate students, Thanh Mai Nguyen (Vietnam, Economics, Korean Government Scholarship Awardee Batch 2006), known as Mai to most of her friends, who works for SCJ Life ONin Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam.
Mai is the most talented and passionate student that I have ever seen in school life. She managed her school life so effectively and enthusiastically. She mentioned that “Chonnam National University is a school of love and success to her.” As a student ambassador of CNU, Mai was involved in many PR activities for CNU such as campus tours, welcoming new foreign students, translating CNU brochures etc. In 2009, she also assisted the group of CBA (College of Business Administration) professors in their trip to Hanoi and arranged a meeting between CBA and Hanoi University. In some events for foreign students, she was invited to give a speech on her own experiences of success and achievements at CNU. It seemed that her devotion to CNU was higher than any other student.
Even for Mai, she had special story in her school days. When she was a freshman, she switched out her dorm room with her friends without saying anything to the dormitory administration. However, she got caught by a “scary” dormitory supervisor and the issue was bigger than she could have imagined. She was told that in the worst case scenario, she might have to move out of the dormitory. Fortunately, instead of moving out, she had to volunteer for the dormitory cafeteria for 1 week. She helped ajumas with washing, cutting and serving food. She felt that the work was pretty hard, but it was a good lesson to learn, and working in the dormitory kitchen was the most unique experience she had at CNU.
Because of her good personality and passion about school life, it was nothard to adapt during her 5 years in CNU. She enjoyed the food; she had wonderful native friends who always helped her improve her Korean language and adapt better to the Korean lifestyle; she stayed tolerant toward cultural differences and didn’t have any cultural shock.
She has some advice for future foreign students who decide to study at CNU. “Different people may have different experiences of the same thing. But if you are looking for a modern educational institution with most updated knowledge; an eventful and dynamic student life; and a green campus that can inspire your dreams, I think you made a right decision. So I hope you can seize the chances, aim high, and achieve your goals with your study at CNU.”
She also sent her many thanks to Professor Roh Seung-hee, Professor Shin Gyeong-gu, Professor Lee Seung-joon, Professor Kim Il-tae and Professor Jung Yong-ki for their meaningful teachings and advice that have inspired her a lot.
At the end of interview, Mai hoped her stories would somehow motivate the students to come and experience the same eventful, meaningful, and successful student life that she could only have at CNU. Mai is now taking a step to her dreams to become an interior designer and open her own business. I wish her good luck in her future!
By Lee Yu-rim, Guest Reporter

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