In leading the way to globalization, today Kookmin University started operating various exchange students programs. As a result, seeing foreigners on the campus is no longer such a big surprising. Here, people from the East and the West cross paths with each other, breathe the same air and live under the same roof. In addition to students from well-known countries such as the USA, China and Japan we also have students from Mongolia, Turkey and many other countries. Today, I had the opportunity to meet our Mongolian students. Although very close, they are still very different and unique. Now let the Mongolians tell their story.

1. How did you come to Korea?
Enhtuul: Well, watching Korean dramas made me think about Korea as a very nice country. The reason of why I decided to study here is that educational expenses are comparatively low compared with other countries.

2. Then why have you specifically chosen Kookmin University?
Ochir: My school in Mongolia recommended Kookmin University to me, and here in Korea many students say this is not a school you can enter easily. I felt a kind of pride in being selected to this institute.

3. Thinking of Mongolia, the first image I think of is wide grasslands. How would you describe your country?
Enhtuul: The city where I live - Ulan-Bataar is similar to Seoul. In order to see what you have imagined, you would need to go out of the city and visit Mongolian provinces. As  the countryside in Korea has farms and mountains, the countryside in Mongolia has horses and spacious plains where you can see nomadic tribes.
Ochir: Mongolia is a country of Genghis Kahn’s history. Korean television shows almost always show only the wide plains of our country, so that is why Koreans tend to think that people in Mongolia ride on horses. But that is not only all the country is about! We have horses, but we also have cars; we have dug-outs, but we also have apartments. I hope people can learn and understand about that.

4. How about your adaptating to life in Korea? Have you adjusted?
Enhtuul: Even though 2 years doesn’t seem to be a very long time period, I have already traveled to Kangwondo and visited many places in Seoul. I really enjoy watching TV, especially the program "1 Night 2 Days"!
Bilgun: I have been living in Korea for 7 years, but still feel lonely. Whenever I see how people ignore those who are not good at speaking Korean, I think that this country is still difficult for me.

5. How do you like spring in Korea?
Enhtuul: We also have 4 seasons in Mongolia, but we don’t have the cherry blossoms. I look at the blooming flowers on campus and think that spring in Korea is very beautiful.
Ochir: In Mongolia spring is a little bit chilly while in Korea there are days which are really hot. We have flowers, but unfortunately we do not have cherry blossom. I always visit the Yoido Flower Festival with friends.

6. Have you felt some kind of culture shock after coming to Korea?
Bilgun: I was surprised by the fact that all men in Korea must go to the army. It was interesting to see incidents on TV where stars and performers did things in order not to go.
Ochir: First, it was strange to see men in skinny jeans. It seems that they are so uncomfortable! But now, I changed my mind and can even wear them too.
Manda: Although Mongolians enjoy eating different sorts of meat, I never knew that Koreans eat dog meat. I still cannot understand this, but consider it as a part of Korean culture.

7. What is the difference in culture between Mongolian and Korean young people?
Enhtuul: There is almost no difference. But when I say I am Mongolian, everybody asks me "Is it true that Mongolians ride on horses?" Then I tell them that Mongolia and Korea are very alike. We really enjoy going to clubs too!
Bilgun: When it comes to culture, there is no big difference. But speaking about appearance, I think that Mongolians eat too much meat which makes them look more mature and older. Koreans look very young! That is why there are many cases when they can hide their real age! In Mongolia, people cannot not avoid the age question.

8. Korean food is spicy for foreigners. What do you enjoy eating most?
Enhtuul: I love spicy food like Tak-bokeum-tang. Living in Korea made me love spicy food!
Bilgun: I love to eat Yuk-kejang and Samgeb-sal together. So I can enjoy Korean and Mongolian traditional taste at the same time! The spicy taste makes Korean food peculiar.

9. What kind of difficulties do you face to in the school?
Enhtuul: Making PPT is the most difficult part for me. During the lesson there are many cases when I cannot understand, so I skip it and come home to try to grasp it again.
Bilgun: I am taking Korean classes at the International Education Center, so I do not have many difficulties with it yet. Korean and Mongolian have the same sentence order, so for me it is very interesting to learn Korean.

10. What do you remember the most during your life at Kookmin University?
Enhtuul: Once our class was divided into groups and each group had to make a musical. Our group's theme was "Superstar K". The most memorable part is when we played the scene and participated in the performance.

11. What do you think about the students of Kookmin University?
Enhtuul: Girls in our school are very stylish. It is very nice to see how they keep step with fashion and decorate themselves.
Ochir: Students in our school are very kind. It is difficult to communicate with foreigners, but they always try to give good explanations until we understand.

12. What are your plans in the future?
Enhtuul: The average salary in Mongolia is 400 dollars per month. But the prices are the same as in Korea. After graduation from the university I plan to go to Mongolia and get a job in government to solve such problems. Another plan is to go to London for graduate school.
Ochir: After graduation from the architecture department I dream to go back home and build a structure like the "63 building". I am also interested in music and want to become a famous DJ. To tell the truth there are many plans which I still can not even imagine.
Manda: I want to finish the 4th level at the International Education Center and enter undergraduate school in Kookmin University. My dream is to study drama and theatre. When I return to Mongolia I will prepare myself for being a performer.
Bilgun: I have been modeling in Mongolia so my plan for now is entering drama school and continuing my work in Mongolia.

13. And the last question: What do you want to say to Kookminians?

Manda: It would be nice to share a culture experience. Sometimes it seems that Koreans feel uncomfortable with foreign students. It will be good if they could understand and approach us first.

When I first met Mongolian students they greeted me like a Korean, using Korean slang and having fun. Maybe because of this I did not feel uncomfortable with them. They knew about Korea even before coming here. To the contrary, I was ashamed telling them that could not remember anything about Mongolia except horses and plains. Maybe other Kookminians just like me still feel awkward with foreigners. But I want to say that they are always ready to be friends with you. If you meet these students in the school or on the campus, how about greeting them in Mongolian: "Sain baina uu"? Mongolians call Korea "Solongus" which means "a country where rainbows rise". So let us be their close and friendly "rainbow" just as they are considerate of us by using this saying.