We Love CNU!
By Kim Ye-na-ri, Guest Reporter
As CNU has accepted foreign students from many different countries, their ways to enjoy campus life are also different from each other, and even us Koreans. Chonnam Tribune interviewed three international students who are busy doing many activities around campus. Let us hear that what the secrets of their campus life are.
Mahmudul Hasan, Senior, School of Business Administration
“I have fallen in love with Korea!” Two years ago, Hasan gave a speech in front of hundreds of people with his fluent Korean. When he took the first prize in a Korean speech contest, it had been only six months since he came to CNU. He reminisced the days he won the prize in Korean speech contests, two times altogether. As most foreign students feel the same way, the beginning of his Korean life was also not easy to adjust to. After having an open-minded attitude, however, he experienced the fine parts of CNU life as a foreign student. Since then, he has participated in many on-campus or off-campus activities, such as volunteer work at Gwangju International Center and a UNESCO World Education Trip to Europe while at CNU. He even appeared on a television talk show called ‘Malmijal,’ and got second prize last year. He said, “My ultimate goal is to help poor people in Bangladesh when I get old.” Considering his challenge and efforts at CNU, Chonnam Tribune expects him to make his dream come true.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, Sophomore, School of Economics
Mai came from Vietnam two and half years ago. When it comes to her love for CNU, she is second to none among any other foreign student. Since becoming a CNU ambassador, she has taken part in making CNU known to other countries. When she first entered the College of Business Administration, she looked for a club that she could both enjoy and learn something with other people, and being a CNU ambassador was exactly what she dreamed about. She said, “Through those experiences, I came to love CNU more than anyone else. I am very happy to do something for the school as a foreign student.” She was also selected as the only foreign ambassador in the College of Business Administration this year. While she was participating in campus activities, she learned responsibility for her job and made many Korean friends. She advised other foreign students, “Korean culture is very different from others, but there is something attractive about it. Make yourself active! That is the key point to a successful campus life.”
Usukh Ochir Namuun, Sophomore, School of Business Administration
“Korea and Mongolia have many things in common.” As Namuun said, both countries are very similar in languages and appearances. Thanks to those facts, it was easier for her to adapt to Korean culture than other students when she first came to CNU. In an effort to enjoy campus life more, she has some special memories that she has never experienced before in her home country. Appearing on a radio program, she introduced Mongolia to Gwangju citizens. She said, “I was proud to introduce my country in a Korean broadcasting. I felt like I was a representative of Mongolia.” What is more, she took the second prize in a Korean speech contest held by the Namgu District Office about ‘filial piety’ last semester. Although she made a great result, she was very modest about what she did during the interview. As for now, she is not just content with her position. She wants to confront more difficult challenges and enjoy her campus life more in Korea. “I am ready to catch another opportunity!” she said.
