The Chonnam Tribune interviewed two American students, Ryan Rohrbach (Junior, Dept. of Political Science, University at Buffalo) and Blake Levins (Rising Sophomore, Dept. of International Relations and Global Business, University of Southern California) on July 10. They attend the 2023 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Korean Program and will have studied Korean language and take part in cultural classes and outdoor excursions on weekdays from June 22 to August 12. - ED.

Ryan Rohrbach (Junior, Dept. of Political Science, University at Buffalo)

Why did you apply to the CLS program?
I applied to this CLS program because I wanted to strengthen my Korean skills. Especially coming from the USA and being a political science major, Korean is a big asset to me and will be a big asset in the future. This program is going to help achieve a better Korean level.

How did you find out about this program?
I found out about this program because it is connected to my home university. My home university counselor pointed to me this program. Since it is connected to the U.S. Department State, it was a national program. That kind of program was a motivation since this is a big program if I apply and put all my effort, I can get in.

How many years have you studied Korean?
It will be two years by September. I studied one and a half year in my home university. Last semester I studied in Seoul.

What was your experience like here in Korea, Gwangju and Chonnam National University?
I have been in Gwangju now for three weeks and I like it so far. I am from a smaller town in New York State, so Gwangju is familiar to home. It is a great place to learn about culture and language.

Have you had a chance to speak and interact with local Korean students?
Yes. Through our program, we are assigned a Korean roommate and a language partner. The language partner’s primary focus is to help us with what we are doing in class. If we need any help or practice in different topics. Also taking us and showing us different places in Gwangju. Our roommate helps us to get used to Gwangju and at Chonnam National University. They are both domestic students and I find it to be very helpful, especially the way that this program is structured. We are supposed to do a lot of activities with our roommate and language partners. One of the activities we did was visit our roommate’s hometown and spend a week with their family. I was very happy to be able to go to my roommate’s city Suncheon on the weekend.

What are you expecting to gain from this CLS program?
I really want my Korean skills to improve. Even after three weeks I can see that my Korean skills are visibly better. When I started this program, I felt more confident in my Korean, like my speaking and listening ability. I would be incredibly satisfied if I keep on improving these skills and if I can hold on to them at the end of this program. It would be beneficial to my future.

Blake Levins (Rising Sophomore, Dept. of International Relations and Global Business, University of Southern California)

How did you find out about the CLS program?
I finished my freshman program at my university in California and my professor was the application reader for the CLS. I took Korean 1 class with this professor and after I finished, she suggested to me this program. I wouldn’t have known if my professor hadn’t suggested it and at the time, I wanted confidence with my Korean skills, but I am confident on how I have progressed.

Did you get tested on your Korean proficiency when applying to the CLS program?
Yes. After I found out the I have gotten in the program, I had to schedule an OPI test. I called someone on the phone, and they talked to me in Korean. They have a dialogue and have a role play to engage what level I am at. Based on the OPI test, I had and some written tests I took here once I arrived. They placed me in the class that I am in. It was a little bit scary, especially over the phone. That was the first test I took to know what level I am at in my Korean, but I have improved since then.

Is your major related to Korean language ?
My major is international relations and global business, but I am also going to add Korean studies minor once I get back to school. There is a big Korean studies department at my university. They offer eight semesters of Korean classes and then also classes about Korean culture and East Asian history. The department is big and small enough that the professors are supportive of the students. There is also a Korean research institute at my university that does research about Korean American topics that I am going to be involved in as well. There is a lot of ways I could get involved especially since I go to school in Los Angeles there is a big Korean American community. There are a lot of cultural events that I have been able to go to.

Have you previously been to Korea?
Yes. It is my first time here in Korea.

What is your experience so far here at Chonnam National University and in Gwangju ?
I knew I few people in my university who grew up in Seoul, so they were telling me Gwangju was in the countryside, but I have loved it here, the pace is right for me. I can walk around and do everything I want within pretty much walking distance. There are so many nice cafes and restaurants. The people here have always been kind and I have felt very accepted considering I am a foreigner. People were more patient with me than I was expecting so I am really enjoying that. This past weekend I visited Busan, and it was a different experience. Because there was a lot more foreigner and a lot more English speaker to me. Honestly, I prefer Gwangju a little more because I see a lot more how people are genuinely if that makes sense. I could see how people speak Korean to me and I can learn more about that than if they try to speak to me in English. People have Been very patient and understanding. I really like Gwangju, and it is a perfect setting for this program.

How are the Korean language classes going? Is it hard?
I would say it is one of the challenging things I have done but is very fulfilling. Because the second I learn some new vocabulary or grammar within a few hours I can use it in a sentence. I feel accomplished when someone understands what I am trying to say, and I have a new way to express myself. I have been doing that learning new things in class and on my own and trying to apply them. It is challenging since I have never spoken Korean this much. In my classes we spoke a lot in Korean and in the classes, you’re only supposed to speak in Korean. The rest of the time you are out in the world talking and listening to our Korean. I have been learning a lot and I really enjoy it. I feel like I have improved a lot.

What did you get to do with your roommate and language partners?
I am planning two weeks from now to go to his hometown. We are going to Seoul too. With my language parts we went to Cheongju. I was fun. We saw the traditional Korean cultural village, wore hanbok and ate some food. I got introduced to his mom and was able to have conversation.

What are you expecting to gain by the end of this program? Both on the language and personal experience side?
I think being exposed to a different culture for the first time has been awesome for me. Not only that I haven’t left my hometown California for longer than a week, so this is my first time in a brand-new setting in a different culture and great food all that is Korea. I wanted to see how I would survive in another culture without my family and friends. And, my major is international Business, I intend to get more fluent in Korean so that I can get to work in government business or position that goes between Korea and the USA. Hopefully through this program, I will get more fluent and gain a lot better in vocabulary and grammar. (I will also) take more classes in my university and study abroad in Korea in the future.

By Gutema Saron Samuel, Editor