Nakata Chihiro (Senior, Dept. of Economics, Kobe University, Japan)

 

“I Was Impressed with KInd CNUians!”


By Park Hyo-gyeong, Tribune Reporter


 

▲ Participants of International Winter School, Nakata Chihiro (Right)
 If you had come to Chonnam National University (CNU) during last winter vacation, you could have seen the group of Japanese students participating in International Winter School (IWS) around campus. IWS was organized for Japanese students to enhance their interest and understanding of Korea through experiencing Korean traditional culture. I asked the Office of International Affairs and the Language Education Center to arrange an interview with Japanese students participating in this program. So, they introduced Nakata Chihiro (Senior, Dept. of Economics, Kobe University) and Park Ja-hye (Senior, Dept. of International Studies of Yeosu campus, CNU) participating in this program as a Korean student guide. Ms. Chihiro was willing to interview in spite of her busy schedule. The interview was not difficult because she was surprisingly a good speaker of Korean and Ms. Park translated fluently. Ms. Chihiro said, “My mother is Korean. So, when I was a child, I often came to Korea. Korea is a very familiar country to me.”

 She once came to Korea as an exchange student of Hanyang University for one year. At that time, it was hard for her to make friends. But this time, she was satisfied with this IWS program because she was able to make many Korean as well as Japanese friends and to experience various Korean lifestyles. She also said Korean language class was very helpful. As the university imposed strict controls on foreigners in order to prevent any unfortunate accidents, it was hard to get around the campus alone. So she said she had difficulties in acting freely. I think the reason is that the school had to control a group of about seventy students consisting of Japanese students and Korean guides to forestall problems.

 I asked her what the best activity was during the program that she would never forget. She said, “I will not forget 5.18 National Cemetery. I came to know about the 5.18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising through video images. I thought if it were not for their sacrifice, the democratization of Korea would be harder.” My last question was what she would say to Japanese friends about Korea or CNU when she goes back to Japan. She answered smiling, “I will say Korea is worth visiting and when going to Korea, get a chance to know a Korean.” She also said she was very impressed with kind Korean students and teachers.

 I felt our small gesture and interest are a great kindness and impression to foreign students. I think IWS is a good opportunity to introduce Korea and CNU to the world. So, I hope students positively participate in this type of program and have a new experience by both helping foreign students and making many overseas friends.

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