Nearly 1,000 international students study and enjoy their campus lives at Chonnam National University (CNU). CNU continues to devote efforts to operate programs for these students from around 300 universities in various countries. A Tribune reporter asked two foreign students about their opinions on CNU’s global programs and they are Chen Huan-huan (Sophomore, Dept. of English Language and Literature, Chinese) and Marge (Senior, Dept. of English Language and Literature, Malaysian).

Diverse Events and Support System
    The Office of International Affairs (OIA) is in charge of the overall school lives of international students and holds various events for them every year including CNU International Day and Job Camp. The office staff also gives pieces of advice and tips for their convenience in studying at CNU. Chen Huan-huan said, “I really love the CNU International Day because I can share my own culture with people of other nationalities. Through this event, I can also experience other countries’ cultures and it was really fun.” She also added about a scholarship system for foreign students. “CNU’s Scholarship program is good. Anyone who studies hard can receive a scholarship. It helps a lot for international students to worry less about living expenses and allows us to enjoy our school lives.”
    Chen Huan-huan picked ‘CNU Festival’, an annual school festival as the most joyful event and pleasant memory. “I enjoyed musical performance and festival atmosphere. Eating various foods with friends made my school life happier. I experienced real Korean university life.” Marge said, “Being able to interact with people who have different backgrounds was so joyful.” Two students added that they felt they had become more intimate with Korean friends at the festival; especially, when they joined games operated by CNU clubs, Korean students explained how to play the games in a friendly way and they felt that they were ‘real CNU students’.

Having Difficulty in Making Korean friends
    CNU tries to help international students make Korean friends through a one-on-one buddy program, but the two students said it is tough for them to be real friends with Koreans. Most foreign students come to Korea to learn Korean language and culture, so they start their lives at CNU with expectations that they can understand Korea through a variety of activities and Korean friends. However, they have trouble meeting new Korean friends because Korean students rarely talk to them first. A foreign student said, “Many international students hope Korean students will talk to them first if they are interested in foreign countries or languages. I know it requires a lot of courage for them to do this. But it is the best and fastest way for all of us to be friends.”
    It is common that these students are satisfied with having a broad experience through a variety of diverse global programs and support system at CNU. However, they hope many Korean students talk to them first. If CNU provides more effective cultural programs for international students and Korean students to make friends with each other, it will create more opportunities and encourage them to be more open-minded towards each other.