These days, the wave of internationali-zation is making universities more competitive. In keeping with this trend, Kookmin University has made contracts with a hundred and twenty schools in twenty-five countries to establish its internationalization program. These countries include the U.S., Russia, China, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan. In 2009, we can now witness that a number of foreign exchange students have studied on our campus for their dream. The Kookmin Review had an interview with one of them, a Chinese student, Cheng Jhu (Language school), who won the grand prize at the Korean speech contest held in Kookmin University on October 30.

Q. What is the reason you came to Kookmin University?

A. When I was in China, I was strongly attracted to the Korean language as well as Korean culture after watching the Korean drama, My Name Is Kim Sam Soon. In particular, I really liked the soft, low tone of the Korean language. For these reasons, I wanted to visit to Korea sometime. Luckily, my university had an exchange program with Kookmin University, and a friend of mine had already studied here. So I have come here.

Q. What are the attractive points of Kookmin University from your point of view?

A. When I first came here, it was hard to orient myself for I was not able to speak Korean at all. Fortunately, thanks to Kookminians I could adapt and find my way. Once I was checking a class I was interested in. At that time, some Kookminians helped me a lot using Korean and English, because they could not speak Chinese. I was so thankful to them. Also, I love the eco-friendly campus. Compared to other universities, there are few cars on the campus, which makes the campus clean and a good place to take a walk.

Q. How would you characterize your first year at Kookmin University?

A. From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful to the professors from the language school for their support. Personally, winning first place in the Korean speech contest by presenting about African children is my happiest memory. The difficulty is that the cost of living is far more expensive than in China.

Q. How do you study Korean?

A. For now, I am a student in the language school. So I take a Korean class from 9 am to 1 pm. After class, I always watch Korean programs at home. Lately, I have been studying Korean by watching the Korean drama, Temptation of a Wife. I also made a study group with other foreign students to practice conversation in Korean and to listen to popular K-pop songs. From time to time, we learn about Korean traditional culture through a cultural experience like going to a museum.

Q. What is your goal in 2010?

A. Most of all, I want to transfer to Kookmin University. To achieve my goal, I have to prepare for the Korean examination and interview. I am planning to study Korean harder than ever. Moreover, I would like to visit Jeju Island. The scenery of Jeju island and Halla Mountain looked so beautiful in My Name Is Kim Sam Soon. I want to make more Korean friends as well.

Cheng Jhu has been studying hard for her major, Public Administration, at our university. In addition, she is going to have various experiences of Korean culture. During the interview, she expressed her strong affection towards Korea and Kookmin University. On the other hand she also mentioned her dissatisfaction about the way a few Kookminians treat foreign students. Foreign exchange students at our university have chosen Korea, in particular, KMU to achieve their dream. From now on, we need to pay them much more attention to prevent their love towards KMU and Korea withering away.

THE KOOKMIN REVIEW No.214