Euntae Chung from South Korea

Where I am from:

I’m from Seoul, Korea. I grew up in Seoul. Specifically where I lived was called “Seorae village”. My town is popular for French village. French people lived in Korea, most of them stayed in here. So in our village there are lots of French related places such as French school, French restaurants, bakeries and parks. So in my town it is not difficult to meet foreigners. Also we can easily enjoy French cultures because there are lots of French related events for residents to participate. Most of the people describe our village as “The small France in Seoul.” I love my town where the place is diverse and global.

About my family:

Our family is five. My parents, my two year younger sister, puppy named Ddoddo and me. My parents are big supporters in my life. They understand our dreams and try to support what we are going to do. My sister is my best friend in the world. We poured out all our worries and troubles to each other without ashamed. From tiny worries like the problems with our boyfriends to serious emotional things. This is possible because we are family. .But something that is too shamed to tell her I talked to my puppy. She never barked at people and is very kind. She has gentle good nature. I am really happy to have this family

My Characteristics:

If you meet me first time, then I might not talk too much. This is because I’m very shy with strangers. But after time pass, then I reveal my another traits. I talk more and I have sense of humor. So it is hard for me to appeal myself at once but know me for a long time it will be different. I am not a rose that can attact someone at one sight but I am the person like Baby’s Breath that has mild and delicate fragrance.

My Life In USA:

When I was seven years old, because of my father’s work my family lived in USA for one year. It seems one year was too short time to know about the place completely. Also recalling the seven year old memories is not very clear. But I obviously remember the time we stayed in America for one year was great. We travelled all America by driving a car. And I went to kindergarten and I had a lot of American friends too. And that memory was the happiest time in my mind. So I had a dream to go to America to study some day. And finally the chance came to me. My old and ambiguous dream became clear and that was really exciting. Then I register English academy to study English more. Not only studying English but also I prepare for life in new place. Going to America was adventure to me. I always admired to study abroad but I couldn’t decided at once. I’m not enough brave person to stay alone in totally strange place. Different language, cultures, histories, thoughts, appearences, foods more than differences than similarities made me worried. But lots of people adviced to me they are all same person and the place where people lives are all same even if they use different languages so I don’t have to worry about it. That words made me comfort and relieved.

With a big concerns, I finally came here one month ago. First day in America was too busy to adjusting in new life. There are some differences betweem the life in Korea. First of all living in the dorm with somebody who don’t know each other is not that comfortable. I always lived with my parents and I have my own room. So it’s really annoying sometimes but I’m get used to it. And the biggest problem was the time differences. Korea is thirteen hour more faster than America. So my bed time and the day times are switched. For these reasons I fell asleep at six o’clock and woke up at three in the morning. This lasts for a week. At that time it was really bad however, looking back on it now it was not that awful. In the middle of the dawn I made my new goals and I made myself a promise. And it was the time that I can look back on me and encourage my self for new start. And the people’s attitudes are really different from Korea. In Korea they are not very friendly to strangers. But I was surprised that the most of the people are really kind and if I ask them a help they explained me more detail and kindly. And they hold the doors for someone. That was really impressive because in Korea they don’t really care about other people. I heard Americans are used to at “Individualism” so I thought they totally do not consider other people’s action. But I realized that was misunderstanding. Still though I can feel why they are used to individualism. One example is that in the restaurant they ask us share the money or not and if we said we will split the money then they give us the two separate receipts. In Korea they don’t ask this kind of questions and also no two receipts. The way and style that people are living, I can feel a little cultural differences.

First time I walked around the campus, I lost the way. I was so confused what is where and which building is where because campus was too large. I heard the building in JMU are over one hundred. There are lots of facilites for students. One of my best is UREC where I can work out. In there we can swim, rock-climbing, coached by personal trainer. Second time at UREC, I tried rock-climbing. It was my first time to try this sport and I am really bad at athletics. So I thought I can’t climb the top of the wall but I did it. The woman who watched what I did, she was surprised that I can I get there at once. I was amazed myself too. I suddenly thought I didn’t try so many things that I am unsure so fast without even one try and this atttitude is the obstacle for my growth and finding new part of me. Here, in USA, I learned to take challenge and faced with it and not afraid of the failure. I am excited about tommorow and my future.

My Dreams:

I have several dreams. First I want to have a good command of English. And far future I want to be an editor or helping my father’s project. I want to have more confidence at myself and be more passionate person.

Subscribe to this student blog by Email