My college life was truly global. As a member of the International Students Community and the International Students Supporters at Chonnam National University (CNU), I interacted with international friends and realized how big the world was and how much I have not experienced yet. Motivated by my desire to become an English teacher and share compelling narratives with students, I decided to study abroad as an exchange student. Arkansas State University (ASU) was chosen as the place for me to embark on my new journey located in a safe city, Jonesboro.

Impressive Teaching Styles
I wanted to take some interesting courses that I would not have the chance to take at CNU, so I signed up for acting, photography, yoga, archery, poetry, drama, and composition courses. Among them, the teaching methods in the acting and photography classes left a profound impression on me.

The acting class takes place in a spacious practice room, rather than the typical lecture hall filled with desks and chairs. In the first class, students and the professor sat in a circle on the floor, introducing themselves and getting to know each other's names through a simple game. During each class session, we learn concepts related to acting, but instead of just explaining them, the professor engages us in activities to help us understand them better. For example, to understand the concept of 'distance,' all students are encouraged to freely move around but with gradually decreasing limits on their movement range. In this class, assignments are opportunities to express one's thoughts without complexity, serving as moments for serious contemplation rather than feeling burdensome.

The photography class takes place in a computer lab equipped with iMacs. The class is divided into days where the professor explains, days for taking photos, days for editing, and days for critiquing. On days for taking photos, there is no need to return to the classroom. Students are free to go out and take photos. And on critique days, students freely express their opinions about each other's work even without the professor prompting us. They don't hesitate to give praise and discuss areas for improvement. I believe all of this was possible because the professor created a relaxed atmosphere.

While taking the classes, I noticed differences from the ones I took at CNU. In the United States, the assignments are much more abundant, but they are simple tasks of expressing personal thoughts. In these classes, students engage in group activities more frequently compared to Korea but professors do not assign difficult or burdensome tasks. And professors often ask easy questions to students during class to encourage participation. I think that the students' participation rate is high and the classroom atmosphere is relatively more relaxed.

Interesting Courses I Definitely Recommend
Photography, yoga, and acting classes were excellent courses that made my life at ASU more colorful. In photography class, students are provided with cameras for the entire semester, allowing us to capture high-quality photos anytime. Additionally, we learn Photoshop during class, enabling us to professionally edit photos. Yoga class served as a healing time for me. One day, I had time to meditate for an hour while listening to calm music. Also, with the tendency to gain weight from consuming American food, I think yoga provides a way to maintain health through regular exercise. In acting class, I was able to learn the importance and effectiveness of teamwork. While creating short plays relevant to the concepts learned that day is not easy, collaborating with group members often results in satisfyingly polished works. Moreover, receiving feedback from the professor and other group members helps to improve the acting skills even further.

All the classes mentioned are highly recommended, but among them, I would particularly recommend the acting class. Because it would be a meaningful challenge for people like me. I am quite a shy person, but I wanted to live with less concern for others in the United States. After about two months of taking the acting class, I have learned how to express emotions in diverse ways. Also, I was able to make friends while working on group projects. I do not think I would take an acting class in Korea, experiencing something beyond what I could do in Korea feels more significant to me. Thus, I recommend taking classes that offer new experiences and chances to make friends, rather than just sticking to lecture-style classes, when going abroad as an exchange student.

Lessons Learned During Exchange Student Program
ASU is located in a rural area with few entertainment options around campus, requiring students to drive for activities. Honestly, it was boring at first, but to make most of my time joyful, I started looking for activities to do on campus. I joined some clubs and I am planning to work as a photographer for the school newspaper soon. I diligently searched for information, enabling me to go to parties and watch sports games such as basketball, baseball, rugby, and more for free. So now, my life in Arkansas is not boring but filled with exciting things. American university life is not as significantly different from Korea as one might think. Most of the time is spent attending classes and doing assignments. However, those who consistently attempt things can gain more experiences and happiness, and can have a more meaningful experience.

By Kim Yu-min, Senior, Dept. of English Education