As the second part of the Overseas Cover Second Team (OCST) series, this issue deals with CNU alumni living in eastern part of the USA. The OCST departed from Korea on June 26, and arrived in New York via Chicago and Akron. Though exhausted by the days’ events, the OCST was excited at meeting new CNU alumni.
    The OCST hurried to New York for a meeting with Cho Sung-nai (chief of the medical treatment department at Lifeline Center) early in the morning of June 28. After hours of driving, the OCST met him and his wife. They were delighted to meet us. Cho Sung-nail graduated from the college of medicine in 1964. After graduation, he took the United States Medical licensing Examination to be a doctor in the USA.
    From 1967 to 1969, he interned as a doctor-in-training of the department of internal medicine at Beekman-Downtown Hospital in New York. After his internship, he trained to be a doctor on a residency program of the department of psychiatry at Mount Sinal Hospital Service provided by the Elmhurst City Hospital in New York. He has worked at Queens Children’s Psychiatric Center and Long Island counseling Center. He now works as chief of the medical treatment department at Lifeline Center for Child Development. In addition, he has written many articles for magazines and has had three books published already. He said, “Writing makes my life significantly more worthwhile, and is worth the trouble. So, I plan to read more and more books to become a better writer.”
    The OCST asked him what difficulties he had living in the USA. He answered that the most difficult part was the problem of communicating with people in English. It seems to be as difficult as ever for him. Another difficulty was overwork. When he interned at Beekman-Downtown Hospital, he worked over 100 hours a week. “At that time, I was really tired. I seriously considered quitting my job. But, I didn’t give up. I didn’t want to end up a vanquished man.”
It is his motto that success depends on one’s efforts. He thinks that working hard is a shortcut to success. Therefore, he redoubled his efforts to be a successful man.
    It seems that he hasn’t his position. He said that he would continue to work in it and keep writing for as long as he can.
“A competent man is full of confidence and pride. It is also important that juniors show their capabilities in a society. It requires daily practice for you to make progress in your goals.” He emphasized that the present was invaluable: The successful man was future-oriented and tried his best every moment of his life, but the vanquished stuck to the past.
According to Dr. Cho, CNU students should remember that life is precious and they need to endeavor their utmost in the present. Besides they should hold on to their dreams for the future and make efforts at every moment to realize them.
    The following day, the OCST met Jung Soo-il (President of Koreana Trading, Inc.) in New York. After having dinner at a Japanese restaurant with him, the OCST went to his house. He entered the department of history in 1961. He gained an all-expense scholarship covering the entire four-year period. As a result, he graduated first on the list from his department. After discharge from military service, he immigrated to the USA in 1973. During his school days, he was obsessed with the idea of immigrating to the USA. He had steadily studied English. His tirelessly hard efforts at studying English realized his dream.
    In the USA, he had at first operated a factory to produce false hair. Because the factory was in Crime-ridden district, his products were often stolen. He withstood many hardships such as this and he now manages a trading company as chairman. His success in business is a result of hard work.
    After a few minutes reminiscing, he continued, “America was the land of opportunities. There was nearly no constraints on business. Korean society was relatively closed compared to that of America. So, even though I was a foreigner, I could succeed in this country.”
    Since immigrating to the USA, he has worked hard despite much hardship. His experience became his property. He is full of confidence and can do everything he wants. “I was aware of the importance of challenges in adversity during my early days. A challenge spirit is the motive of my action, so it is never too late to challenge.
    He is the president of a CNU alumni association in New York. He said that CNU students need to promote their own country and university. The pride in CNU is the mainspring for an alumni association. “Four years ago, I was invited and visited my alma mater for the fiftieth birthday of our school. At that time, I was moved by the development of CNU. As a senior, I hope that CNU continues to develop and many leaders and brilliant persons come forward from it. To study hard is the best way to bring glory to your university.”
    The OCST headed for Syracuse to meet Yang Sung-un, an assistant professor of the Dept. of Public Relations (PR) at Syracuse University. He entered the Dept. of Communication in 1993. During his university days, he won first prize in the essay contest hosted by Connam Tribune to celebrate its 30th anniversary. He attended Carlton University in Canada on an exchange scholarship. After the exchange scholarship, he was anxious to study in the United States. At that time, he wanted to be a journalist. So, he tried to pass the test for working in a broadcasting station. He also had an examination to enter a graduate school. He failed to pass the examinations. Therefore, he decided to continue his study in the United States. He then went on doing graduate work at the University of Maryland, where he earned a Master’s degree and a doctoral degree. Before the doctoral course finished, he was appointed an assistant professor of the Dept. of PR at Syracuse University. His appointment was rapid compared to the others.
    He said that he was happy when he studied. During his graduate school days, he studied very hard as if he were a third grader in high school. He wasn’t tired because study delights him. His favorite motto is to love his job.
    However, he had difficulties in living in the USA. First, he was faced with the problem of not being able to express his opinions fluently in discussion-centered classes. This problem is still hard for him. The only solution is to continue unceasingly. Second, he felt homesick. He was so lonely, particularly on special days like his birthday and big holidays. Third, he has to pass an examination to be an associate professor within 7 years. This causes a lot of stress because this examination is strict.
    The OCST asked a question about the attractiveness of PR. He said, “PR played an important role in unifying society, and the interactive nature of PR makes it more attractive. Korean students tend to discriminate advertising from PR, but both are regarded as one in the USA”
    “I wish to live a happy life with my wife and would e born baby. And I want to be a scholar not a pedant.” Lastly, he didn’t forget to give an advice for CNU students. “If you have great ambitions for your future, you can study abroad and achieve your dreams. You should use the chance offered by CNU. The chance can change your life and future. Don’t forget it. If you enjoy your work, you can do everything.”
    Through interviews with three alumni, I realized that I had forgotten an important thing; that I should have a dream in my life. The important thing is to have a dream and ambition for my future. I have been content with my present life. From now on, I will make every effort to fulfill my dream with passion.