26 OCTOBER 2017 3:34 PM"COLLEGE MIDTERMS IN KOREA" SOMNOLENCE | Now, exams. Exams here will bring fellow students to a standstill. Whilst securing a high grade on these tests, well, needless to say, they are difficult. You will witness students living in libraries three weeks prior to the exam period while surrounding cafes fill to the brim throughout fall break with the most studious students I have ever met. Before all else, as a fair warning, if you plan on cramming your courses within an entire day or a span of 2-3 days a week, well, please take into consideration that you will be taking your exams all on that day or the span of 2-3 days during midterm week and finals week. Also, grades will not be announced, it will happen whenever the professor feels like posting it. Now getting into the nitty-gritty of my course midterms I can say that midterm week has beat me to my pulp, but I made through it!
During midterm week I was interviewed by a journalist who is a writer for “Segye Times”. There was a bit of a language barrier but we were able to overcome the odds. The question was "One, how did you overcome cultural differences and two, can you tell us about your struggles being an exchange student at Korea University?" This is what I said :
In spite of Korea’s increasing interest in westernization, social interaction is dictated by a Confucius or collectivist society. To put into perspective, in America we have the tendency of valuing individualism, and speaking up for one's self. On the other hand, in Korea their perception is what benefits the group entirely, opposed to an individualist approach in any given setting. This ideal is prominent and embedded into the fabrication of their societal norm. With personal struggle, I feel as if there is a tremendous pool of labor that you are in competition with, but the catch is that you are blinded. It has become a vicious cycle of trying to become the hardest worker without having to show it, and despite a strong spirt and weak flesh you still have to keep up your appearances even when you are at your breaking point. Often times I feel as if I am living in a suppressed society, but despite this system I believe that this is what makes Korea unique. Notwithstanding the negative implication, I believe that this is what makes an embracement of a different culture, or studying abroad not just challenging, but enlightening. Before we parted ways, the journalist handed me an enclosed envelope with two heart stickers that sealed the opening, "A gift." she whispered while pointing to the two hearts and with a big smile she said "me and you, thank you." This week, if I were to condense it into one sentence in respect to what I have learned, it would be: Carry out an act of kindness with no expectations of reward, rather, have it safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.
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AuthorCindy is an epicurist, a food photographer, and a self-proclaimed creative writer. When Cindy isn't studying at Korea University Business School (2017), she can be found in cafes, asking random seoulites for directions, or singing at noraebangs (korean karaoke). Archives
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