[영문] Exchanging Culture through‘Hanmille’ (By Hur Jae-seok(Student Reporter))

As more exchange students are attending Hanyang University every year, programs that diminish the cultural gap between the exchange students and the Korean students are becoming important. Hanmille is one of the global programs that assigns a Korean student mentor to a foreign student mentee to help the latter adapt more easily to life at Hanyang University and in Korea, along with assisting the foreign student in experiencing diverse cultural activities. After students are assigned mentees, both mentors and mentees are to write a monthly report of their activities throughout the month. Saranghandae, Hanyang University’s campus newsletter, has met up with paired students to hear their experiences of meeting foreign friends.

Exchanging Language and Culture

Kang Hwa-young, a student in the Department of Physical Education, joined the Hanmille program during the second semester of her freshmen year. Kang had always been interested in foreign culture and languages, which led her to apply. She was assigned two mentees, one from the U.S., and another from Hong Kong. “Basically, as a mentor, you help them with cultural experiences, along with support in procuring daily necessities.” At first, Kang was unsure of her usefulness as a mentor due to her incomplete communication skills in using English.

However, despite Kang’s worries, the exchange students continuously helped with her English. In fact, they did not mind her incomplete English at all. They constantly wanted to experience Korean culture and learn Korean from Kang despite difficulties in communication. In groups, they visited places around Seoul like Namdaemun market and experienced drinking makgeolli, a traditional alcoholic beverage brewed from rice. Hanging out with foreign friends, Kang was able to learn naturally enough for her speaking skills to vastly improve. “It isn’t just language that you learn, but the cultures that we exchange,” noted Kang.

Guidance in Campus Life

Justine Scotland is an exchange student who came to Korea last semester from the southern American state of Georgia. She had traveled through Korea once before, but she knew little of the culture and was not fluent in the language. Scotland was not familiar with the campus and routes around the neighborhood, so she decided to join the program. “When I first came to the school, they asked me whether or not I wanted to have a Korean student mentor to help me out,” said Scotland. Hoping to meet a good friend as well as a guide, she said yes.

Scotland actually never had any difficulties with her school life, so credit is due to this program. Even before the semester began, Kang had already contacted her to help out. Buying daily necessities and preparing for school was no problem at all. “I expected to have a number of problems using public transit or buying things that I needed, but Kang had already helped me with it before school even started.” said Scotland. She became friends with Kang instantly despite difficulty in communication. Soon enough, they became close friends, exchanging stories of their lives in weekly meetings.

<COMMON UESTIONS>

Q. Any advice for students who will be joining Hanmille next semester?

Kang Learning foreign languages and cultures will allow broader perspective in this globalized world of ours. Don’t be worried about speaking English because it will never be a problem.

Scotland Treat your mentor with the respect deserved, and your mentor will treat you well, too. But join this program only if you’re serious about meeting with your mentor. Are there any memorable activities in Hanmille?

Q. Are there any memorable activities in Hanmille?

Kang My mentees were surprised that I was not good at eating spicy food, since Korean foods are known to be spicy. Also, they were surprised at how much whiter the makeup is for Korean girls. Seeing the reactions of foreigners to our culture was interesting.

Scotland I remember the first time we went drinking together with a group of friends. We ended up staying out much later than planned because we were having so much fun even though only half of us spoke Korean and English well. Are you willing to participate in more programs similar to Hanmille?

Q. Are you willing to participate in more programs similar to Hanmille?

Kang I am already registered for next semester’s Hanmille activity and looking forward to having more experiences like these.

Scotland I’m interested in making more Korean friends, so I would like to try out more programs if given the chance.