It has been about one week since I arrived in Korea. Today, I had the orientation and a level placement test, and I truly felt that my exchange program had finally begun. I had previously come to Korea for a three-week training program in the summer of 2024, but this time I will study here for one full year, so I started this new life with even greater excitement and anxiety. I was worried about how much my Korean would actually work in daily life, but during the orientation I noticed that I could do writing tasks much more smoothly than before, which made me happy and showed me that I had improved. My roommate is from Vietnam and speaks Korean very well. We talk in Korean and even exchange snacks, which gives me good stimulation every day. The purpose of this study abroad experience is not only to improve my Korean ability, but also to develop the confidence to act positively in a different cultural environment. Over the next year, I want to keep a strong desire to learn, challenge myself in many ways, and continue growing.
Before beginning my study-abroad program, I felt anxious about spending a long period of approximately one year abroad. I wondered how well I would be able to use my Korean in a real-life setting and whether I would be able to continue learning in a different environment. At the same time, I strongly wanted to use the Korean I had studied so far in my daily life and improve my language skills.
After starting my study-abroad program, I assessed my Korean language ability through classes and placement tests. I found that I could approach writing assignments and composition with less hesitation than before, which helped me realize how much I had learned through consistent effort. I also made an effort to actively communicate in Korean not only in class but also with my Vietnamese roommate, Korean students, and students from other universities. Through these interactions, I learned the importance of not only studying Korean but also using it in real-life situations to develop practical language skills.
During the examination period, I studied every day because I wanted to achieve good results. As the classes became more difficult, there were times when I felt like giving up. However, by continuing to work hard until the end, I was able to achieve better results than I had on the midterm exams, which gave me greater confidence. In addition, preparing slides and giving presentations in Korean helped me develop the ability to communicate my thoughts and ideas in Korean.
On the other hand, I also realized that constantly trying to surpass my previous achievements had placed unnecessary pressure on myself. During the second semester, I would like to make use of the study habits I have developed while maintaining a more relaxed mindset. Rather than pushing myself too hard, I hope to enjoy learning Korean and interacting with people in Korea. I will remain grateful to everyone who has supported my study-abroad experience and cherish each day's experiences. I will continue to do my best until the very end so that, when my study-abroad program comes to a close, I can confidently say that I have grown and developed since the day I arrived in Korea.
