It’s no longer unusual to live with students from various countries around the worldin this global era. We are all the same Kookminpeople sharing each other’s culture and interacting together with a smile regardless of nationality. Atthis time, we will meet Turkish friends who come from our brother country. How do our Turkish friends who love Korea spend their time at Kookmin University?

Q. What’s the reason for choosing Korean as your major?
Ecem: Turkey’s SFU has Korean as a second language. I was interested in studying Korean and so I chose it.
Gur: I’m interested in Korea because of the 2002 World cup. I was thinking of going to Korea when I studied.
Cisem: My grandfather participated in the 6.25 KoreanWar so I think I’m reconnecting with Korea. Turkey and Korea are brother countries as well.

Q. How was school life at Kookmin University?
Gur: I have studied in other Korean schools. However, I think I learn more at Kookmin University. Also, when I participate in group activities it is very helpful as well. I joined a group activity called ‘big person’where I read a book a week and discussedit with friends to practice Korean as much as possible. Thanks to my friends, I improved my Korean skills a lot more. “I really appreciate that;later let’s have a drink!”
Cisem: I feel comfortable because Kookmin Universityhas classes specifically for international students. For me it was difficult taking classes with only Korean studentsbut now our class has so many international students. It’s not so hard to study now.

Q. Do you have a hard time dealing with school life?
Cisem: I’m uncomfortable in the dormitory. There are so many limitations it makes it hard to live there. Sometimes I want to enjoy the nightlife of Korea, however the dormitory’s closing time is early and all the other roomsare closed, so I just go to bed even when I get hungry at night. Other than that, I really like the classes and kind students. I’m mostly satisfied with everything.

Q. What are some cultural differences?
Cisem: At the airport I smelledsome kind of a unique sauce smell. One day, we went to a pizza store. The Pizza was very bland so we put salt on the pizza before eating it. However, now I’m eating everything well except pork.
Ecem: I was embarrassed at first because Koreans said our eyes and noses are big and we have lots of hair. Now we can smile nicely even whenwomen see Gur’s hairy arms and say:‘That’s nice’.
In Turkey, we wear a swimsuit in a public bath but not here. I was freaking out when I went to a public bath the first dayso I got out of there.
Gur: In Turkey, drinking alcohol is not common. There are a few bars with alcohol, and snack bars for light snacks such as peanuts.However, Korea has many different kinds of bars and snack bars. I really like them. I was surprised to see drinking games with friends. At first, I was freaking out about it but now I also enjoy drinking games with them.

Q. Do you have an interesting episode of life in Korea?
Gur: I went to a policestation to find my wallet. At that time, the police asked,“how can I help you?” I answered,“I came here by subway”and everyone burst into laughter because of my speech. Also, in Turkey if someone asks‘Are you eating a meal?’ first, it means ‘let’s go eat a meal together’. One of the girl students asked me like that whenever I met her so I misunderstood that she wasinterested in me.
Cisem: Even though I ask questions in Korean, there are some people who always answer in English, so I couldn’t get a Korean answer.

Hitomi, who is an international student majoring in Japanology, said the Turkishstudents are friendly, animated, and popular among the international students. Especially Ozgur. He is active and has a leadership position, so he has a big role in the group. We may feel empty soon ashe is leaving next semester.

Q. Compare college life between Turkey and Korea.
Cisem: In Turkey, frankly speaking, college life is not fun. There is no fun culture where we meet friends and hang out after school like in Korea. Also, the library is closed at 6:00 PM because the staff goes home.

Q. What’s your plan for the future?
Gure: My graduation ceremony is supposed to be held in June in Turkey. I want to enjoy as much of Korea as possible, even if I miss my graduation ceremony. I would like to study hard the rest of the time and do some sort ofbusiness connected with Korea. Now I’m thinking of a trade business.
Cisem: After graduation, I will go back to Turkey and join a Korean company in Turkey.
Ecem: Actually when I came to Kookmin UniversityI was planning to study only for a semester.The programs are great for me so I think 6months is too short of a time to study the language.So I think I’ll extend for one more semester. I want to be a flight attendant after studying Korean more.

Q. Can you give us a few wordsfor your Kookmin friends?
Don’t feel uncomfortable because we are foreigners. We would like you to approach us first. We are the first Turkish exchange students at Kookmin Universityso sometimes we we’re lonely and have hard times too. Not very many people would approach us before us talking to them first. We want to make many friends to learn more Korean and more culture.

These first Turkish exchange students shared their memorable moments with us in fluent Korean. To me they felt like regular Kookmin students and not like foreigners, seeing the way they enjoyed their time during drinking games, at public baths, and eating Korean food. From now on, if you encounter any Turkish students, pleasebe the first one to shake their hand. No doubt they will greet you with a big smile.