Daekyu/ The land of the free/ ISS

I think 'The land of the free' reflects the social aspects of the early twenty century in America. Many immigrants had flown to America. And there were discriminations to immigrants. So the one couple, Hom Hing and Lae Choo, was deprived of their baby Quong sum. They had tried to get back to their baby. But government had not interest in their request. As a result, they had a lot of pay for send a lawyer to government office.

This story makes me sad. Because Korean had suffer in early twenty century too as well as Chinese. Choseon dynasty which had existed before Korea was dying that time. And many powers such as Japanese empire, Russian empire and china invaded Korea. They fight each other in Korea. So Korea became the hell more. As a result many Koreans moved to other countries. And they got many discriminations as a foreigner who hasn't their county and government. Korea had no power to protect their people that time. I think this miserable tragedy never happens again to any country as well as Korea.

Yana / the ingrate / ISS 2016

      Black people are really amazing! Because only their race usually humiliated by whites in most of the cases. But they hadn't never given up, even after such sufferings they rebelled and proved their rights to live equally with other people. I recognised from Josh's example that coloured people have so much bravery and courage.
      I think that slavery was really despicable and rude. I'm glad they can live a normal life now. I don't even want to imagine what kind of life they lived, they were the same as animals for white people.
      The most I liked the part when Josh became Joshua Leckler, when he became a freeman and felt himself a man.
      It makes me very sad, that so good people like Joshua had to suffer actually for nothing, only for their skin colour, as if it's their fault to be born black.
But I think that problem of racism exist even nowadays but not as much as before. How can we overcome this problem? Many people all around the world are solving this problem. But mostly all the races have an equal rights at the moment.

Yana / essay / my experience / ISS 2016

      When I worked in the volunteer center "Pole of Kindness" in my hometown, we went to the different kinds of shelters. But the one time was very special for me. May be because it was after New Year when everybody believes in miracles.
      We went to the orphanage "Romashka". The building of this orphanage was very old and dilapidated. It was very cold inside.
      We were only 5 people that day from our volunteer center, because it was New Year's holidays and that day was extremely cold. To be honest, I didn't want to go out from home that day too. But I felt that I have to, because I wanted to make orpgans' Christmas holidays a bit brighter.
      All children wrote letters to Santa Claus, but they didn't get that gifts which they really wanted, so we decided to gather money and buy them Christmas gifts by their wishes.
      Of coursr we weren't able to fulfill all desires of children in orphanage, because very many children wanted to find his/her parents.
      It was the experience that changed my view to life. Every child is pure and it's not his/her fault that he/she got such life. They were so happy. They smiled so widely, reveived their gifts, thatcmoment was incredible you could see so much happiness in their eyes, and for us it was the main reward to see them happy. Every child wants a miracle for the New Year, they ran up and hugged us, saying: "Thank you! Thanks!". I was about to cry, seeing such nice kids and thought: "Why did people leave such a wonderful kids? How could they abandon them here?" Anyway, I wishedto every child to have parents. I'd like them to know what's that to feel parents' love. It's really important in the child's upbringing.
      I thought that every person that has parents is a very lucky person and I was blessed by God and he gave me parents. And only for that reason I suddenly felt that I'm the richest and happiest person.
      Usually we don't notice our main source of wealth and happiness because we think it's normal, but actually that "simple" things are the reason to be happy everyday and we have to appreciate that things.

Yana / My English / ISS 2016

      The knowledge of English is very useful and important nowadays. People all over the world learn English from children to elder generations. Because travelling had become very popular, and we need to know English to communicate with foreigners, at least the basis of this language.
       As for me, I learn English not so much. I started to learn only in the last grade of school to pass the entrance exams. I'm very thankful to my English teacher, because she was a really god teacher, I got a lot of knowledge from her only in just one year. So I passed my exams not so perfect, but not bad. Also I had no practice of communicating in English with native speakers before ISS, so sometimes I can't understand what people say to me because they talk very fast and fluent and it's like they eat up some of the sounds of the words. But I feel that I'm getting better.
      Now I'm studying in the North-Eastern Federal University in Russia, and my major is English language, however my skills yet not good but I'm trying my best!

Yana / Indian girl / ISS 2016

      The school days of an Indian Girl
I think Zitkala-Ša has a very strong personality and makes a reader respect her. Not everyone in her age would dare to rebellion in such a strict conditions of upbringing.
      Of course my learning of English is absolutely different from hers. Because her learning happened by accident and because of necessary of knowing English  in such conditions, but she had never given up and even became a writer, it's very commendable. But nowadays is a different time, and learning of English is usually done only by wish of a person.
      Despite that Zitkala-Ša was strong, throughout the text I felt sorry for her, she was a little defenseless girl and robbed of her mom. I could feel her feelings from her narration, it's a very sad story. I think even I would feel very bad and helpless now without my mother. I mean that I'm exactly elder of that age that Zitkala had in this text.
      I really don't like stories where someone suffers, it makes me feel very sad. I start to think how I could help them.
      This story touched me and made me appreciate my life even more. Thanks to God that I wasn't born at this time as in this story.

Yana / Barriers / ISS 2016

     Rolando Niella's story is familiar to all learners of English as a second language. And it doesn't matter if a reader can play tennis or not, he will just understand and feel every moment Niella said. Because we are really feel us sometimes confused, and frustrated. As for me sometimes I'm feeling myself like I'm a dumb truck, because sometimes I understand the meaning of jokes or some phrases too late to react properly to that, like in Niella's situation when one guy asked him to turn down his stereo. So in these cases I'm feeling myself very embarrassing.
      I liked the way Niella tells us his thoughts very detailed, without any embarrassing of being seemed not perfect in eyes of his readers. It was very real. Real stories affect on me much more and make me live together with the narrator every detail of his story.
      As he compared English with his favorite kind of sport, I thought to compare English with my favourite kind of sport - basketball. I'm playing this game for a quite long time. Basketball is a team kind of sport, therefore you're learning how to understand what they want or what they're thinking about, just seeing the expressions of people, also we're learning to communicate with each other with non-verbal way, so it helps me sometimes in speaking English. For example, to express the word I can't explain verbally. Also I think basketball also can be compared with learning of English, when conversation is too fluent, it's like if you're the slowest player in the court, you can enjoy to be a part of such an exciting game, but you just have no any skills to move faster and catch up to the other members. So you become a little bit disappointed. And being a fluent speaker is like to be the most resultative player.
      After reading the story of Niella I could see myself in Niella's behavior and understood that I shouldn't be shy and even if I do any mistakes in explaining my thoughts, I should make my best to get an experience and improving my daily English.

Yana / Korea / ISS 2016

      I have never been to Korea before, so I was very excited. When I arrived here, I felt that this is a really nice country and everything is very cute here. And thought: it's really like I'm in another world, absolutely different to Russia. The weather also made a great contrast, because when I was leaving Yakutsk, it was raining, and when I arrived in Seoul, it was so sunny. I couldn't wait to see and learn what the city is Seoul, where is our University, where we will study, what the dorm will we live in, who will be my roommate and so on. I was so excited for being in another country, I just smiled sitting in the subway in way from Incheon airport to HUFS.
      Then after arriving at the dorm, we decided to go for a lunch. Firstly, we went to the Korean food cafe, because we were very curious about the local food. We tried kimchichigae as I remember. It was so unusual for me, and I found that I don't like spicy food. So I decided not to eat too much spicy Korean cuisine. But I liked kimbab! It's really tasty. Unfortunately, I haven't tried other dishes yet.
      What about ISS, I was in different kinds of summer schools abroad, but ISS differs from all others, staff of ISS is very friendly and funny. The way classes held is very convenient, I feel myself not in a tense situation. I really like being here in Korea.
      Also it's a good chance to make new friends from different countries. I met a lot of nice people, so I'm thankful to ISS for that.
      I'm very glad that I have a chance to improve my English and practicing it everyday. I really liked Korea, that sometimes I even think of moving here somewhen in the future.

Naryia / The Ingrate/ ISS

Slavery is very sad experience of humanity. After reading "The Ingrate" I learned that the American Civil War took place in 1861-1865. The abolition of slavery in Russia was in 1861.

This text describes the ingrate slave who wanted freedom. In my opinion, it should not be called ingrate. Josh does not have to be a slave until his death only because the owner has given the chance to learn.Everyone has a little bit of freedom. Why a little bit? Because we all depend on various circumstances. Even the word "freedom" is not freedom. Where she still ends.

if you look at this text from the modern side, the slave as their child. Parents bring up children and pay for his studies. There comes a time when the children leave home. We, in turn, will watch as they grow old. it's all done sincerely.

People's desires can not be the same and it does not mean that he is not grateful. He simply wants different.

Rachel Lee/Journal on The Ingrate /ISS

How would it be to be controlled by others? Especially by someone who is arrogant somehow. In the reading I was shocked to see how sneaky Mr. Leckler is, always pretending to care someone without real heart and blaming others when problem is found. Poor Josh had to stay under this harsh environment. Even with these circumstances Josh found the way out. He studied hard even giving up finding a lover, he kept studying until he could run away from his owner. I was ashamed. Even I got a lot more than Josh, I sometimes complained about the things I wasn't given to. Am I also the ingrate? We will see how it goes.

 

Re:name/ writing date

Efimova Nina

Re:name/ writing date

I read this short story and liked it. I think Josh wasn't an ingrate at all,as evey peson has the right to be free. The author narrates about time before the Civil War and after, displaying the great changes that have come after the proclamation of freedom for slaves. He mentions abolitionists and Quakers, who played a significant role in the movement against slavery. The story also embraces the cultural context trough the relationships between whites and slaves.
It is sad, slavery is still with us. Here, today and now. Someone notice, someone want to ignore. Trafficking has acquired a global dimension and is a modern form of slavery. The majority of modern slaves are women. Modern slavery affects all countries of the world. The exact number of modern slaves in the world is unknown. In 2005, the UN concluded that every year fall into slavery, about 700 thousand people, in the U.S.A. from 600 to 800 thousand people.
The tone of the text is very rich and colorful, his words touch readers deeply. In this text, the author descibes feelings and motives of different people from the distinct levels of the society lively.

Margarita / 04 English / HUFS-ISS 2016

If I consider that things could do to learn English, I think the answer would be planteármelo as a game
I get up in the morning, even in my country Spanish-speaking, and my thoughts are only in English, answer what I say in English, reading the newspaper in English, news and movies in English. I think it would be a good way to get what I want.

The problem is balancing work life with it, but who wants something it costs something.

Until very recently, I looked English as an obligation as something imposed by mandatory classes. And I think it is now to make a change and move from theory to reality.

The first step was to come here, I hope that the way do not stop .... I'm sure that not!!!

Margarita / 03 The Schol Days of an Indian Girl /HUFS-ISS 2016

It has always been said that children are cruel to other children, but the reality is that its behavior is a reflection of education given by their parents, they just copy the models who are used to seeing, with this I say that this cruelty too have the adults. It is not taught to respect the unknown, the fear, racism or other issues are not given the same opportunities to newcomers.

It saddens me that the process they had to happen necessarily to adapt to what is new for them, there are always other ways, but for those who have power is easier and cheaper to do things by force.

Hopefully not happen these cases, but the reality is the daily bread of many children today, although the modern world we are interested more put a bandage on eyes

Margarita / 02 Barriers / HUFS-ISS 2016

While reading Barriers, of Rolando Niella, I was identified to me in many respects of the comments.

Since childhood is supposed to I have studied English at school, but I never taken it seriously, after years of neglect of language, I always remember something but the reality is that I have forgotten almost everything.

I have traveled Europe, Asia, America and Africa, and although my English is not very good, I never have had problems when I need something, with few English words and signs I have always defended well. Today with cell phones, translators and internet is even easier

Of course I want to regain the ability to speak and understand English well, today is critical, especially in professional life. That is why I decided to come to Korea, I knew that aside from Korean, English is basic to communicate.

I hope this experience enriches me will not only personally but also to improve my skills with languages

Cathy Zhang/the ingrade journal entry/ISS2016

Mr.Leckler first stroke me as a very interesting or even funny character.There are so many irony about this character. But then when I start to think more about this character I begin to wonder why the writer made him a"generous kind man" instead of a typical villain like most stories about slavery are. In addition to that, unlike most stories about slavery , I think the main character is not the slave who fought for his freedom but this interesting slave owner. I think when people think of slavery they sure would strongly condemn the cruelty and inhumanity of that. And that's pretty much all people think of. But what the writer offered is another view through the slave owner's eyes. We can see how he thinks and does being a slavery owner. Slavery was already a natural and reasonable thing to him and through lying to himself constantly he even made himself a saint to his slave. All the irony the writer put in just made the absurdity and unright of slavery more obvious.        

Daekyu/ The ingrate/ ISS

While I read the "the ingrate" I felt like watching a film. It was an escape story which is hard to be occured in nowadays. Success of escape from slavery life made me happy as other happy ends did. If I were Mr. Leckler in nineteen century, I would be angry too. Because I lost the slave who made a lot of money for me. But now it is happy end in the view as twenty first century. Slavery system should never happen again.

I think the part that Josh forged Mr. Leckler's signature to escape is one of the most interesting parts. Even he did illegal. Because it is the reference point in determining the success of escape. Also I longed for freedom when I was a freshman in the university. I used to absent a few classes. I had loved freedom. Even though I regret that now.

I wonder how Josh duplicates writing style of Mr. Lecklers. I don't understand that part. Writing style of Josh would be staggered since he had learned writing in a short time. In contrast Mr. Leckler had written for long time. Lastly, I determine that I will not harass the friends around me and take care of them. 

Cathy Zhang/essay1/ISS

                                   Finding friends

  The expression of "finding friend" only existed in words i spoke and the songs i sang but never in my mind before the second year of my college life. What i began to realize at the same time was the weight of that expression.

  I like to think that i grew up in a family full of love. Sure maybe my parents don't love each other which does not serve as an evidence of an unhappy and dramatic childhood nowadays. But thankfully they both love me very much. And because of that I grew up being a outgoing, innocent,normal happy little girl who had no problem in making friends like most of the people in that little town I lived. Maybe I was lucky or maybe that's just the way it is that almost all the people I became friends with from primary school till high school are the true friends who I cannot be who I am today without and are to be there for each other for the rest of our lives.It's almost unbelievable that I never intentionally try to be friends with them or keep in touch with them after graduation.But we just did.

 My freshman year in college, Life treated me well blessing me with an amazing roommate who is a great friend and teacher to me. Because of her I didn't spend too much time with others to find out how not everyone can be my friend. But the next year hearing the calling of my young heart I applied for an exchange program to Korea. Together came with me was another girl in my class who looked just as innocent as I was. We got along well at first. But there was no next. I began to have some unfamiliar feeling when I was with her. There was just something wrong. When I came back home after hanging out with her there was always this big cloud of stuffy depression on my chest instead of happiness. I went out happy and came back sad. And I didn't understand that. But soon came my first sign. When I consider someone my friend I usually tell everything to that person unconditionally. I hardly have secret but at that time i had a big one. So I told her that secret and told her never to tell anyone cause it's very very private to me. And what do you know. The next hour a mutual friend of us asked me about that secret saying that she saw it at her sns which I later went to check but didn't see anything because she posted it blocking me. With anger I confronted her about that but she laughed and said it's not a big deal which I found out in the next few months is a typical thing she does when apology is needed. But I was surrounded with kind and trustworthy people before her so I thought maybe she really thought it was nothing. But something starts to feel really wrong. After a lot of thinking,struggling and crying I realized the reason I was not happy with her was that she never really responsed to all the true feelings I expressed to her and in her mind I'm only a tiny decoration she can talk about sometimes in her glamorous life. All of that cost me a year. After that I have been keeping some distance with her. Until now I still have no idea why she treats me like that or if she treats everyone like that but I'm too tired to find out.

 That's when I first realized I can't be friend with anyone I spend time with. And along with some other experience in college I learned that a long-lasting honest and healthy friendship doesn't just show up at your doorstep anymore .It's something you have to and worth fighting for. The friends we made when we were young are the people we grew up together. We were similar before coming out of the same school and same city speaking with the same accent and finding out each other in all those people. As we grew up we became part of each other and even more similar. And we tried to figure out life together and formed the same views on a lot of things and those are the bonds that attach us to each other for the rest of our lives. Even when we have difference we were happy to embrace and try out everything because we had no clue what's right or wrong then. But in college , the small society as we call it, people come from all over the country having such different lives and views. I don't want to think of those that are different from me as wrong but I'm not capable of embracing them all anymore. And I think a lot of people are just like me too.And because of that, for those who still have a warm heart of trying to become friends to each other, disagreement leads to frustration which leads to hurting each other. For those who don't care, disagreement just leads to a cold dead wall of silence. Although it could be sophisticated, cold and sad but maybe it's just more responsible for everyone to "find" our friends. For me the stressful and exhausting but also challenging and exciting work of finding friend includes Getting to know someone, determining how deep I want our relationship to be and by social techniques making that work. and maintaining it. It is an art I'm still not good at . I might have to spend my whole life practicing and probably will never master it. But it's part of the complicated adult world I have to live in. And that's the real mystery I will never figure out.

Naryia / my experience/ ISS_2016

I really like to open something new. As a child I always wanted to drive a motorbike, but my parents would not allow. When matured wanted to realize a childhood dream. I asked my brother to teach me the motobike. He agreed and we went to the garage. When I sat in the motorbike, I realized that I was afraid to drive. Motorbike was very heavy and the chance to drop very large. I had lost those feelings fearless. it was a failure.

After several hours of brother persuaded to drive it. He showed how to drive. I sat down for the steering wheel and a long time was unable to have it. Finally motorbike earned. I sat behind the wheel of my heart began to beat more and more, hands began to tremble. The moment had arrived, I went to the motorbike.

It's an incredible feeling when the speed increases, so quickly left behind. those feelings I will never forget.

Then I won my fear and realized that you can not be afraid. I drive a motorbike safely and I am glad that has carried out a childhood dream. Just do it, only then will you decide on doing it or not.

Punthita/ Psychology student/ISS

I used to be one of the high school students who think to not going to university because I life dreaming to be a photographers and want to be a volunteers to helping disadvantage people in my country and others countries in the world. Then, My father said that if I did not have any knowledge how could I help others people,  if I do not having money how was I live without asking others to help yourself, so if I want to help people I have to be one who's can take myself as good as I could. Then, I choose to study Community Psychology to understand myself and I believe that the more I could understand myself, the more I could understand others. But It was not that easy because when I was I high school I choose to learn Japanese Major and I never learn any of science but now everything that I had learn it was all about Biological and Physiological. So, It was a big obstacle that I should pass it though. Now, It was a half way that I pass through and it was 2 years to go left. I will try my best to being good Psychologist in the future.

Punthita Witanakorn

Chalita/ 1st exchange student/ ISS

Since I was born, I never do any of exchange programs before. Here was the first experience that I have doing exchange program. Before I came here I was so excited and feel worry that I have to survive by myself without my parents. When I was arrived in Korea, every seem like really new for me. it was not like when I came here to traveling with family but I was an exchange program which I have to manage everything without parents and I have to understand the culture which not really similar as our country. Then, before I came here I have to attending 2 classes which is Academic English and Beginning Korean. First period that I came in to this class, I had know that everything in this class is absolutely different from my class in Thailand because all of students speak English in this class and it make me feel really worry "Should go and withdraw this class or not?" this is what I think. So, I get back to home and talk with my father and he told me to not giving and tries my best. So, that why I still in this class like today and I will practices English in Korea as much as I could.

Chalita

kantikorn/ My experience/ ISS

The experience that affects to my whole life and brings me to be me like to day was happened when I was in High School.  As well-known that , all of Thai's student have to do an admission after graduated and they have to prepared everything when they were in high school. I had dreamt to be a doctor and study in medical faculty but Lots of thing was happened like a storm was devastated. I could not handle every single things and it was not a competition which having enough seats for every peoples. It was about a thousand people want to study medicals degrees but it was just 10% of each that could be getting that seat. Then, I am not the lucky one. I missed those seats and it was absolutely adrift. I do not know what to do and falling down but I could accept that it's not my place and I did not try my best. So, after that I try to attend to another faculty like Political Science like today and I try my best to improving myself and try to get in to every lesson and reading much more thing, also take an interest in it.

Kantikorn

Rachel(Juhyeon) Lee/ESSAY1/ISS

*Being a Bad Student in Korea

"If you keep skipping your class, I might have to call your parents. Korea is not developing because of you people!" My homeroom teacher in first grade of Daeduk Junior highschool scolded me while hitting me with his class attendance book. 31 homeroom students staring at me and my three friends who skipped the first and second period that day. Humiliated, but dignified looking right at my teacher's eyes which just made him more angry. The whole day, I had to stay in the teachers room writing a letter if apology. I wasn't sad at all since my friends were with me. Back then I thought we could control the world, but now I know how stupid it was to think this way. Living this way, my grade got worse. Out of 272 students, I only obtained 241.

Since my friend Yunseo's parents were away often, we used her house as a drinking place. We could easily get drinks asking her brother to buy them for us. We were almost lost, vomiting in her bathroom, sleeping without blanket in the middle of her living room and so on.

 

*Big Liar

It was dark enough to go home but I was playing video game at my friend's house. We ordered chicken and when it just arrived my father called. When I picked it up I could tell that my father was upset, he said to come home right away with his angry voice. So I did. When I got home mom was inside her room with doors locked. Father sat in the couch and told me to sit on the floor on front of him. I sat down. He brought my report card and almost threw it at me. In my mind I was saying " OH GOSH. I'm so dead. He found my report card I was hiding for more then a month?" Yes. I have two things to confess. First, I hid my grades in my room. To be more specific, I wrapped it around with wrapping paper and put it back in the plastic bag so that it looked new. I never thought my parents would look it there. Second, I lied about my grade when my parents asked and told them that report card will not be handed this time.

I could hear my mom crying and saying that I'm not her daughter anymore and couldn't believe that I have done this. At that time I finally realized how aweful I was as their daughter and as my teacher's student. My mom didn't cook or say a word for a week then. I stayed at my room reading and studying because I was feeling sorry towards my parents. Oh wait, I wasn't studying, I was crying the whole time regretting what I had done.

 

*Star in ESL class

After a few months, my parents called me and we sat around the table. "You know that your aunt lives in Canada, right? I think you'd better stay there with yout aunt for an year to look back your life and study English." I was shocked to hear that, because I was enjoying my school life and I thought I could restart as a good student. Above that, I didn't want to live alone far away from my parents and friends! I said "NO! I'll never survive alone!" After struggling with parents for few weeks, we had a deal. My mom will go to Canada with me. I thought it was a good deal so I went to Canada with her. I got into international school, Woodman Jr. High. In my school, there was a class for ESL students, English as a second language. ESL teacher, mrs. Anderson liked me a lot in the first place. I strtill don't know why she cared me so much but I'm always thankful for that. She showed me around the town and kept helping me with English as if I were her daughter. After three months of 'hard training', my ears for English was open.

Mrs. Anderson stared to call me the star of ESL class. I was proud of myself. One day teachers from Korea came for workshop to look around my school and discover the difference between education in Korea and Canada. She called me to her office and asked me to help translate during the program and I did. I actually did really well. That day she called my mom to visit and she told my mom how great I was in English. That day she bought me a guitar.

 

*Having struggles

Even though I was good enough in ESL class, I couldn't keep up my work in other classes such as Social Studies or Language of Art. It didn't help that I started to hang out with koreans more and my English was not improving at all. The same semester, I was in the band playing flute. Mrs. Green, my band teacher was giving me a hard time since I couldn't understand what she was asking me to fix so she kept scolding me in her class. I was humiliated.

Steffany and Louis, I think I will never forget their name because they stole my stuff. It's not like my whole bag was missing, but I still was pissed off. I brought a really nice eraser and I put my name under the paper that was wrapped around it. It was missing. I somehow looked through their pencil case and I noticed that they had stolen it. They kept stealing my stuff and I was annoyed. So I confronted them and said " If you steal my stuff once again, I'll tell our homeroom teacher." They said "No you won't. I mean you can't. Your English isn't good enough to explain what happened. You suck!" Wow, that hurted me so much. It was harsh.

 

*Returning to Korea

After one year of staying in Canada, I returned to korea. When I was in first grade of highschool, my homeroom teacher asked me to help as a representative of a class because I was sitting in the front of the classroom. If I were old me I would have said no, but I gained some confidence in Canada so I accepted it. I became a real representative eventually. My teachers started to like me and my classmates were asking me for help. I was useful! I studied harder to get good grade and to help classmates. I was chosen to be the representative for all the classes of my grade. I became more and more confident and could actually get into HUFS, my dream university!

Now I'm working hard to keep good grades and trying to get many experiences as possible. Even the life in Canada wasn't always fun, I became real me and now I love myself!

 

 

Phoebe / Korean Language Experience / ISS 2016

           We need to expand our knowledge in Learning other Language for communication. To my country there  using English in teaching, some students is mandatory to learn more than two languages but to myself its never comes to my mind to study. I'm amazed for those people who know different Languages. Each Student have a difficulties in Studying. Students experience different situation in handling barriers in life. When I decided to learn Korean Language I have experience that I can't forget to my entire life.

           Hankuk University of Foreign Studies , Seoul campus is my choice after searching in internet. This school don't have gate, no fence of the whole campus, no security to check your outfit, machine to check ID's if your official enrolled and uniforms to ware. Its cool and this University is opposed to my University in the Philippines. I'm excited that time, waiting for the class start. Remembering the day its March 7, first day of class and I'm late. The Professor stop talking because of my interruption. He continue giving introduction and all our faces are shock. My forehead is puckish and my mouth is open. I can't understand, I expect our Professor to teach us using English Language to begin our Korean language because we are in the lowest level of Level 1, my favorite expression that time is "Oh my G, i'm Dead". My classmates are from Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, Norway, Portugal, China, Guam and France. We have different beliefs and cultures. In the beginning we're enjoying the learning session but while the days goes by, we have a lot of "WHY" questions to our professor. While studying problem comes to my life about my boyfriend, Homesick and to my little business. Its turn me out to focus in studying. I feel so stupid when my professor ask me an example, I can't give answer. Sometimes in school, I'm a walking zombie like my eyes is reddish, big eye bags, my long hair is messy, i lose weight and my outfit is like rags. Its comes that I didn't attend the class because I don't know whats going on to the lesson. I didn't study at home and pestering my self. And yes! because of that I failed. 

            Nowadays it makes me realize the mistakes that I did. I waste money and give up my first opportunity. My goal to stay in Korea is to learn their Language but its turn nothing. I can't communicate in simple conversation but I understand some words. This experience is not only in studying but I learn to love my self. Maybe its not to late to study again and no matter challenges comes to our life be strong, continue dreaming. Don't depend to others, do it by your own. Learning Second Language in an accomplishment. 

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Bittna Lee/ My Experience/ Summer 2016

The different experiences I had and the choices I made throughout my life has made me who I am today. I was shaped by various aspects such as what school I went to, what kind of friends I made, what kind of books I read and even what kind of food I ate. However, one of the biggest experiences that has changed me was backpacking through Europe. I had a chance to travel around Europe by myself for a month two years ago when I was 21. During that time, I had learnt that it is okay not to have plans.

 

I was going to Goettingen, Germany for a semester for a language course programme and I went there about 5 weeks before the beginning of the semester to spend that time travelling. My plan was to find a Wohngemeinschaft, a flat share of Germany also known as WG, within a week and then to go on my trip. However, I did not know that WG was always in short supply and how difficult it was to find one. It had almost been a week, but I still had no good news regarding the WG. I was very stressed because I had already bought the tickets and booked the hostels for my trip. Yet, I could not leave until I have a place to live when I come back to Goettingen. I was frustrated because it did not go according to my plan. Then something unexpected happened. The owner of the hostel suggested that I get a WG from the hostel. He told me that he is renovating a building next door to open a WG style hostel where 4 bedrooms share one kitchen and 2 bathrooms. He offered to rent the only single room for a very reasonable cost.

 

All in all, this was not what I head in mind and was not part of my plan. Nevertheless, it turned out to even better than my original idea. I could get a brand new room with new furniture for a rent lower than my budget. It was a moment that made me realise that it is okay to change plans along the way.

Bittna Lee

Marcelo / English learning / ISS

I have been studying English a long time ago. From the very beginning, I did not like to study it. At time it was pointless. In Brazil people do not speak English, so as in many others countries. In Korea, even it is not official language we can find many people who speak English at least the basics sentences. I do not regard me as a good student so if I was not good at I would not study it. Now I just realized that I commited a huge mistake. Not studied a second language properly costed me too much. I am feeling old to learn a language. It takes much time to get something I could get if I were younger. I strongly recommend for young people to study hard while they are young. If I could travel on time I would comeback to my 15 years old and make everything again. Everything. I mean meeting new people, tie good friendship, take care of family, laugh more, give more, love more and so on. 

Even though I am old I won't give up. I am already in Korea. I am already out of my confort zone. So no time to complain just focus on English improvment. I am really glad I am speaking English everyday. If I were in Brazil, it would be just two or three hours a week. On the other hand, I am a little bit sad in not speak my mother language. However I am building a better world for me, my family and my friends. For everybody. Actually, we from ISS are building this better world. Thanks Korea. Thanks HUFS. Thanks Professors and students. 

Efimova Nina

 

 My experience in English.

I study in the North-Eastern Federal University of Foreign languages and regional studies in Russia. I learn English and French languages. I am freshmen. I will be a translator. I started studing english quite late, two years ago in my high school. The english we studied was quite poor and stuffed with boring grammar rules. At the end of my studying course my classmates were not even able to deal with simple things in english, not to mention understanding natives. Two years ago I decided I wanted to learn english and passed the exam and to go to the University. So, I've been studing almost only through the internet.

 I studied one year in the University but I could not speak in English. It is a really. I was afraid to speak. I was afraid to make mistakes. And I was silent. The thing is there are the only Russian people and in my head I think Russian word then I translate in English. If I did not know the word I speak it in Russian. I think if you want to learn English you have to visit country where all the people speak in English and you have not familiar people there.

Now I dare say that I can speak in English with mistakes but I can. Of course I sometimes afraid but I will try to fight with it. In Seoul I met foreign students and I speak in English with them. It is very help me. 

Daekyu/ Essay/ ISS

Essay-change a mind 

A year ago, my weight has become almost ninety kilograms. I wasn't overweight like that before enter the university. But after enter the university, there were lots of drinking parties. Also I don't like exercising since I'm lazy. As a result, I had become fat. Although I had tried to diets, but it doesn't work. I thought I can lose the weight in military. Because soldiers receive a lot of trainings. I expected that I would lose my weight when I finish the duty and leave the military. But unfortunately I became military police in the air force. There were no trainings to MPs. Also I couldn't sleep well since I worked in shift working system. Finally my weight became ninety kilograms when I leave the air force.

The following day, I became a civilian, I took a summer semester in the university. And I got very shocked. Most of the people I saw were thin than me. I started diet again. I eat only one time in a day and refuse greasy foods. As result I could reduce my weight by eighty kilograms. I keep the weight from then on.

I think studying is like a diet. There are many temptations such as cell phone and sleeping while I am studying. And I make a compromise easily with temptations. If I got something to change my mind. I can refuse the temptations and concentrate on my studying. Therefore I think we need something which can make a shock to us and change our mind.

Kantikorn/ My English / ISS

In Thailand, people don't speak English much because they always afraid about their grammar. Although Thai people study English in their whole life but them always shy when they spoke English by Thai accent. I think all of them including me must be try harder. We can practice with foreigner or watching a movie without subtitle. When I arrived at ISS, I was shocked. Everyone spoke English. All of them spoke this difficult language. I want to improve my English skill.  That's why I came to ISS, Korea.

Punthita/ Indien Girl / ISS

This story would remind me to situation which I was in England. That was my first time to living in host family and living in place which has only white people but luckily all of those white people giving a very warm welcoming to us. They are really nice and friendly. Nobody look down on us and think that we are such a yellow monkey. So, it's not too hard to be adjusting on that day. As we have prepared everything before we go exchanged and one of the thing that we would be presenting to them is Thai's school culture. I was Thais student in Thais girls' school so that my school would have different rules from others. Other schools just have to cut their student's hair until grade 9 but my school has to cut our hair until graduated.

chalita/my english skill/ISS

In my country, people have spoken two languages, such as Thai and English. Thai people have spoken Thai language because it easy to communicate to each other and we using English for education and business. So, that's why most of Thai people will be confused about grammar when they using English also they would be confident to speak other languages. Though I want to practice my English skill every day, when I lived in Korea.  

Nariya/InEnglish/ISS_2016

I completely agree with the author of this text, I understand it because I have such a problem. In our region of the Russian Federation have 2 official languages: Russian and Yakut. Yakut our native language. Other in areas people speak differently: only in the Yakut and Russian and mix-up. People who grew up in the Yakut environment do not speak Russian, and Russian speakers have difficulty in Yakut. But it not the point. English is spoken only foreigners. Everyday life no one speaks English, foreign students speak Russian. This creates great difficulties in learning English. For effective language learning need to be in an English speaking country or environment. From my experience, I can say that during his stay in the ISS my English skills have increased significantly. Before I studied with different teachers. When I was a native speaker was good, but my mind was thinking in Russian and translated into English. Here I have learned to just think in English. Still difficult. I hope to stay in the ISS will be productive.
In my opinion, in the era of globalization people need speak in English for to development of progressed. Also in the future we have to learn Chinese. Napoleon said of China: "Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world ".
In the text of Julia Alvarez I liked the phrase: "Mami and Papi used to speak it when they had a secret they wanted to keep from us children".   Sometimes i with my brother talk in English to our little sister not understand us.

Chalita/ Indian Girl / ISS

After I read life of Indian Girl I think it extremely different from my life because Thai students can't say no to the teacher. But mostly we are closed together. So it's not a disparity between us. Every Thai student was friendly. In Thailand people are not mostly use English in our day life. But, when you speak English you look like cool and smart person. Then, if I would like to be liked cool and smart person though I have to practice and improve myself more. 

Rachel(Juhyeon) Lee/ Journal Entry2 / ISS

Journal Entry:  The School Days of an Indian Girl 

 

 After reading the essay, I looked back how I got education in school and I was grieved to see how hard it would have been for her to go through this hardship and favoritism towards the 'pale face' students. I was never threatened with scissors to cut my hair short, and no teachers hit me in the face. And any of the students in my classes didn't have to be separated with their parents for long time. 

 If I were her, I wouldn't have been the same. Even she stoop up for her rights, I would have just given up and start to adapt in the situation. I will try to make my teacher like me, so I will let the teacher cut my hair even it's humiliating for Indians. 

 I also am ESL student which stands for English as Second Language. But the way I learned English is way different from Zitkala-Sa. She had to learn the language to survive so she was almost forced to learn it to live, but I could choose whether to study or not. I chose to study because I wanted to. Even she became a good writer, learning process was extremely backbreaking and miserable for her. I should appreciate what I have with me.

Kantikorn/ Indian Girl/ ISS

After I read "The School Days of an Indian Girl", it remind me about my experience . It actually similar of my life just some part of it. For example when I was study in primary school I don't have much opportunity like cutting my hair dyeing.  It like I lost freedom because my teacher told me all the time "You must be good person if you into the rules". 

In Thailand I don't used English much because when you speak English it like you weird. Thai people always carping to each others or when someone was speaking others language and look down to ones who making mistake. That why I always shy when I speaking English. I always afraid about my grammar and my accent. After I finish this essay I will try harder.

Naryia/SmthWonderful/ISS_2016

Flowers are one with the beautiful things in the world. When we look at them think only of beauty. Around them only bright aura.
My favourite flowers is the hydrangea. But they don't grow in Russia. I fell in love after seeing the hydrangea pictures and in the  bouquet. I was lucky enough to see them live last week. I am very grateful to ISS for the opportunity. 
Perhaps, I love hydrangea because I love the shades of blue and red.
Hydrangeas have medicinal properties. Also, look very good in the garden.

Phoebe / Indian Girl/ Summer 2016

            When I read the story about "The school days of an Indian Girl" at the first sections the excitement strikes me to continue reading to see what happen while stay in the school and while continuing reading, it reminds me of the past tradition that they do to teach children before and I'm thankful that our generation evolved. I'm not agree the way of punishing their students, sometimes the scenario is not good to students to experience cruelty while growing up.

            Base on my experience  way back before, I choose the University far from my hometown. When entering the University, I'm afraid cause they see me strangers. Some of them came from the same school so they have groups.My first months is an adjustment for everything from new environment and live independently. At night i feel so crying baby at my room.

            "Bringing unjustifiable fright and punishment in to our little lives" this sentence struck me because I have a happy childhood why they need to do such punishment that bring children to become rebellious. They push them to make more mistakes by giving them the unappropriated treatment. Children need to enjoy their childhood so that they enjoy studying and reminds them the happiness while studying. 

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Naryia/The population of Seoul/ISS_2016

I had read that South Korea is a democratic country, also I had read controversial articles that in real life is not true.
I am from the first day I felt that the people here are very free. In my opinion, the population of Seoul is happy and they live easily than other countries.
Government of South Korea creates all conditions for comfortable life of citizens.
All my friends who were in South Korea, everyone wants to visit here again.
Not only because they are interested in Korean language and k-pop culture, but it's nice to be among Koreans.
I don't know how people live in other cities and provinces of South Korea. Personally, I think in Seoul, the population is happy with his life. Everything is done for the people.
In my essay, I have not touched the questions inhibition of vulgar clothing and North Korea. I hope isn't infringe on the human rights for free  life. I cannot comments it.
All in all, I believe that my first impression of Koreans will be correspond to my future perception.

Naryia/Indian girl/ISS_2016

The snow episode is very sad and the same time funny. Because of they did not speak in English, it turned out bad for them.When Judewin said to Thowin: "Are you going to obey my word the next time?". Thowin answered again with the only word at her command, "No". If they knew English, they would not be abused.
Every person who does not know the language can get in such situation.  They can understand each other's not property. Probably, knowledge of English cab help to save a life.
Amuses me Zinkala-Sa behavior, then she was swore and angry at the end, but it no one noticed. I was glad when she realised and calm down.

Naryia/Barriers / ISS_2016

There are barriers in the process of study.
First, language barrier. The student cannot understand the material covered and the communication with the teacher is not installed.
Second, poor infrastructure in the university. Some school and university have not the modern technology.
Third, lack of competition. It is also a kind of barriers. Competition necessary for the development of student.
Fourth, disinterested of teacher. The student is very difficult to learn when the teacher dislikes his work. I like to learn and receive knowledge of teachers of fans his work.
All this barriers nothing if you have a great desire to learn.

Daekyu/ Indian girl/ ISS

Journal entry : indian girl

The journal written by Zitkala-sa impressed on me. It was sad story that who suffer in western development period. In journal, a few young native americans are forced to change their culture, language and other things. They are shocked at first. And they start resistance. But finally they adapt themselves.

After read and discuss in class, this story reminded me about my youth periods. My life is opposite of what their life. When I was a student before enter the university, I had not have freedom much. After school I had have to take private education until everyday night. And there are a few physical punishments. Maybe these depend on the case by case. But unfortunately my school teachers liked that. And I thought physical punishments are natural. I was not good student. So when I wasn't punished, I feel very happy… As a result, I felt unnatural when I didn't assignment or was absent from university. Professors didn't scold me. They just cut my grades. But I was a freshman and didn't care about my future. So I messed up my grades. And I'm suffering from retaking courses before I took.

Re:name/ writing date

Efimova Nina

Re:name/ writing date

1. I thought about why they had to cut their long hair? How did it interfere with their studying? And I thought why they use cruel treatment with children.
2. I liked that she survived this horror and became a writer.
3. I didn't like a cruel treatment.
4. I agree with her behavior but I think she came to another country and she must adopt rules and traditions of these people.
5. I was very happy when I went to school. We were taught very differently. Thanks God. I loved school and we had a good teachers.
6. I understood.
7. My tears were left to dry themselves in streak, because neither my aunt nor my mother was near to wipe them away. The only strong people can survived.
8. 1. I remember firstly I was afraid of our English teacher, and I was like what did they tell me, but when I grew up I lost my fear of that.

Marcelo / Journal Entry (Indian's girl reading) / ISS

Although I read all reading I didn't catch some meanings because my limited vocabulary knowledge. I know when the author tell about a specific situation that she had to face. She was supposed to know what her teacher was arguing for but she did not understand nothing. English was a barrier on comunication in that moment, so as me now. 

I'm still on English learning process living in a country where the native language is Korean. Thus everything I have to do I must be carefull. My classmates and me we  have to face many cultural situations that we are not used to and embody a Korean thinking way. Therefore I'm really excite to gain experience as much as I can. 

Bittna Lee/ Journal Entry on The School Days of an Indian Girl/ Summer 2016

Journal Entry on The School Days of an Indian Girl

    The author's story reminded me of my own experience in school. I moved to Australia when I was seven and did not know the language like Zitkala-Sa. I also got into trouble because I did not understand English. For example, I was not fully prepared for school because I did not understand what the teacher had told me to bring. My class had an excursion to a local swimming pool. So we had to bring few dollars for entrance, but I was unaware of that and went to school empty handed. Everything was very confusing because I didn't have a handle on what is going on.

    In addition, I liked how the writer told her experience in detail. I could imagine the scenes vividly. For instance, she elaborated on the school facility; at the top was a quiet hall, dimly lighted. Many narrow beds were in one straight line down the entire length of the wall. I also enjoyed how she explained daily objects in the perspective of a Native American who has never seen them before; from the table we were taken along an upward incline of wooden boxes, which I learned afterward to call a stairway. When I was finished with the reading, I was upset that the settlers deprived her of her home and culture and was sorry that so many Native Americans had to go through this.

Bittna

name/ writing date

This is my test

Rachel(Juhyeon) Lee/ assignment2/ISS

 In the writing I found out that there are chances to find any sort of happiness everywhere. Even he had hard time lining up and was worried that some white people could harass him, he found the way out to be less stressful. Because of the books he found in the shelf in the cafeteria, he could enjoy the waiting time. 

 I had similar experience because even working and taking courses at the same time in ISS is hard, I met so many good friends here. So I am enjoying the summer here although its tiring. 

 In any situation, there's the way out or at least some methods to ease the hardship. I'll keep this in my mind and will keep looking for the happiness hidden somewhere.

Kantikorn / Journal /ISS

After I read " Waiting in Line at Drugstore " its reminded me to my parents words, "We all have 24 hours a day, it will be waste or worthwhile is depends on you and your living". Those words were lead me to start improving myself little by little. Just start to a little things toward something bigger like practice other languages. I have practicing my languages a lot but I wasn't improve enough so I want to coming here to force myself to speak and to learn languages as much as possible. I will start from a few page and increasing it in next day. It would become familiar like a daily things that I have to do everyday. I believe that I will know and found myself what the thing that I like to learn or to do is.

Punthita / BARRIERS / ISS

There are varieties of. "Barriers" in our life that will going to be stuck our learning, if you still having bias, unbrave or excuse to not developing yourself. So, what would you like to improve then?

As I have done an exchanged program since I was in high school, it was the toughest moment for me because it was my first time to be aboard alone, live in place that I have not been before and have to understand language that was not my mother tongue.  At first, I really want to withdraw on that program but I'm not. I have talked to my teacher then she says "It's just a month that you have to be patients over there, but it is a big chances and opportunities to change your whole life. It not just an exchange program but it is DREAMS AND TEAMS which not everybody could go; it only 14 girls of us that could go in year. Do you want to leave this opportunity after you done lots of thing to go there? Leave it because of your fear? Nothing that's worthwhile is ever easy, remember that". So, I go back home and think about my teacher words again and over again. Then, I make a decision to not withdraw.

After I arrived in England and joining that program, I try so hard to do everything by myself, try to do every of new things and learn everything that I could. There are sometimes that I was homesick and want to give up but I don't want to miss anything. So, I could say that I spend times in England as I gainful.

Chalita /Barriers /ISS

After I read "Barriers" and I found something similar to me he never gave up playing tennis. Although, he was very tired but he still following his purpose to play other sports. it's seems like when you are studying the language build up your target and find the way to reach the goal by practicing everyday and find the way to inspire yourself. As I has learned Chinese before I don't understand about the language. It's difficult for me but, if I practice lesson after class it would be improved my Chinese skill.

Fwd: Phoebe / BARRIERS / ISS_2016

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Phoebe Dalmacio <phoebe.dalmacio.wat2014@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 19, 2016 at 6:15 PM
Subject: Phoebe / BARRIERS / ISS_2016
To: profjbh.summer2016@bloger.com

         When I start reading the "BARRIERS" I feel already the author's feeling because it is difficult to me also to learn Language. What I liked the most is the Tennis and Language comparison. You need to focus on what the opponents tactics for you yo know how to hit the ball back, like in Learning Language you need to focus on what they are saying for you to understand and know how to react. 

         To my experience, I don't have a confidence to share and speak what I thought because of rejections. People always in my mind every time that I opened my mouth thinking what in their minds if they figure out that my grammar is wrong or i didn't use the proper words to express what am I thinking. 

          "I believe that in the long run there will be reward" this word remind me that what ever barriers that comes to our life we need to continue what we are doing. This barriers become our challenge so that we will do more work to make it better, because at the end we are the one who gain our hardship. 

Marcelo / Barrier / ISS (Full)

When I was reading I could identify some aspects that reminded me about my English learning process. When the author said he felt frustrated comparing his English performace and other's performace I realized that I still feel it everytime I try to talk to someone. Even my learning process had begun early I don't feel like I am prepared and confident at. 

One thing that differ Niella's experience from mine is that I don't have considered stop studying English neither giving it up. The reason behind my persistence is that you can go beyond bounds and meet different cultures and people speaking in English. 

Regard I am not a English native speaker as many other classmates, it would not be possible to meet them and talk to them. 

Sorry about the previously unfinished massege. -.-' 

Marcelo / Barrier / ISS

When I was reading I could identify some aspects that reminded me about my English learning process. When the author said he felt frustrated comparing his English performace and other's performace I realized that I still feel it everytime I try to talk to someone. Even my learning process had begun early I don't feel like I am prepared and confident at. 

One thing that differ Niella's experience from mine is that I don

My English by Julia Alvarez/ Reading 2

We can see that this text was written by Julia's own experience with naked eyes from the first sentence till the end of her story. She is telling how her life was connected with English language starting her birth ending that after all difficulties she met in country where everybody's mother language was English, she became a fluent speaker of English because of much practicing.
So I believe that she has really gained through her own experience.
Nurguiaana Argunova(Yana)

Daekyu/journal/ISS writing

Report after read the journal about barriers

After I read the journal about barriers, I feel familiar to author's expressions about tennis. Because, I have similar experiences about tennis. I had played tennis when I was in high school. Tennis class was part of PE. And test was scheduled a few months later. But I don't like playing sports, then as now. I felt tennis as a high barrier. So I gave up training and chose air conditioner. As a result I messed up and had to study hard other exams.

As case of tennis, I have some memories about study English. I didn't like studying then as now. And English was number one subject which I don't like studying in high school. I though google translator will save me when I need to speak English. So I had studied English lazily and messed up English part in Korean SAT. And there was no choice for me to study one more year.

In both cases, I gave up doing something when I feel there are barriers. I suffered from my mental weakness. And after read the journal about barriers in class I reminded my determination don't give up any time. The journal makes me hold myself.