My life in Republic of Korea was great. I am feeling blessed because I could stay in Gwangju and experiencing Korean education at Chonnam National University. This was my first time studying abroad and if I could get another opportunity to study at CNU again, I will definitely say 'yes'.

CNU gives nice environment for their students to study. I was amazed because it is so big and wide. The buildings are great, well designed by combining the classic and modern design. There are so many comfortable places to study. In the classroom, library, small parks, cafes nearby, and even Bong-ji (a fountain) can be a nice place to study whether alone or together with friends. CNU also has great views. This was the first spring in my life because Indonesia doesn’t have spring season. CNU gave me a wonderful experience with cherry blossom. The cherry blossom at CNU was so beautiful. Not only cherry blossom, there were also so many flowers around the campus. I am so happy because I can experience my first spring at CNU.

I took three classes on this semester. Korean Language and Language Typology, Production and Operation Management, also Principle of Accounting. These classes are taught in English. The Professors are nice, very helpful and they can speak English very well. My classmates come from different countries. This was my first time having so many classmates from other countries. Seeing many great students from other countries challenged me to do the best in learning. As I wrote before, Indonesia will face free market in 2015 where the ASEAN Countries’ investors and workers can invest and work in all ASEAN countries. That is why I need to have global competences. From those three classes that I took, I learned about so many things, not only about the subjects. I learned to apply my accounting knowledge which I have studied in Indonesia by doing discussion group for Principle of Accounting class and helped my friends when they got problem in Accounting.

I also learned to do presentation in English so that all of people in the class could understand about my presentation. In order to improve my working softskills, I learned to build teamwork in my team project which consists of students from different countries, I learned to adapt, learned to communicate with people who have different culture from me, learned how to act, and learned to appreciate the differences. Having global competences means that you can blend and survive in the global environment without losing your identity. Those lessons are so meaningful because I would not get it without studying abroad. Thank you CNU for providing me those lessons. I am sure that I am a better person now and when I come back to Indonesia, I will graduate from Airlangga University as a high quality human resource and ready for the free market in 2015.

As an exchange student, I really want to do culture exchange especially with Korean Culture. The very first step to learn Korean culture is by learning the language. CNU provided me and my friends free Korean Class in Language Education Center. I was so happy when I knew that I can study Korean Language. My seonsaengnim (teacher) is so kind and taught us with patient. I came to Korea with zero knowledge of Korean Language, but now I can read hangeul, speak simple sentences and can communicate in Korean with Korean people. Then now, talking about culture will lead to the traditional food. I am glad that there are many restaurants around CNU who sell many kind of Korean food with affordable prices. Korean food was great. I really enjoyed my life at CNU because I could find everything around the campus. Before I came to Korea, I was wondering about the campus festivals that I could join at CNU to introduce Indonesian culture. Sadly, a tragedy happened in Korea, a ferry named “Sewol” sank. It was a sad situation not only for Korean but for all people over the world, so that all of the festivals are cancelled. But despite of the cancelled festival, I can still introduce and share Indonesian culture by making friends. I made many friends as I can. It is nice how people from other countries can talk and discuss about many things. My Korean friends are so nice. I saw that Korean students really love to study but still have great social life. My friends’ stories completed my study of Korean culture. I am impressed with how Korean people really love their country and love to buy and use their own products. Indonesian people have to learn this culture from Korea. This is become an issue in Indonesia because Indonesian people don’t want to buy and use Indonesian product. I am also interested with Korean “pali” (fast) culture. Korean people love to do everything fast, effective, and efficient. This is what I must learn from Korean.

Four months have passed. I was really enjoying my life in Korea. Korea is a safe country for everyone, I never feel afraid in Korea because I am sure that everywhere is safe in Korea. The people are so kind as well. I also want to say thank you to the Office of Inetrnational Affairs  who helped me a lot when I was studying in Korea. As a new people in Korea, I know nothing about Korea and how to survive in Korea. OIA provided information that I need and organized everything well for all of the exchange students like me. I am really thanked for OIA’s “buddy program”. OIA made me met a very nice person, Jihyun as my buddy. My buddy helped me a lot and whenever I had problems, she would always help me. I often go with her and her family, so I could feel how to live in Korean family and completed my experience in Korea. Not only that, CNU’s OIA also arranged some activities for foreign students to explore Korea. We went to Jeonju to see hanok village and did exploring games. From that activity, I could meet new people as a group and worked together to win the game. It was so fun, doing games with new people from other countries. OIA also brought me to see my first baseball game. Indonesia doesn’t have baseball team or baseball stadium. So, I was so excited that time when I knew that I could watch the baseball game live, not from the television. My CNU’s life was full with new learning and excitement.

The time has come now, I have to leave Korea. But I will never ever forget about Korea, especially CNU and Gwangju. Thank you so much for giving me amazing experiences and learning that I can bring and share to my country, Indonesia. See you again CNU, see you again Korea. Thank you for everything!

By Raiza Febynenia Lalopua, Exchange Student from Indonesia