WDYDWYD

[JongWooKim]

My name is Jongwoo; Joey(English name). I am from South Korea. I go to UCLA, therefore I am international student. I went to United States school since I was 15 years old. First time, the reasons I went to United States are simple. I went to a high school in Korea. I was frustrating to go to school because; I experienced so many stressful educations. For example, the high school had physical education class twice a week, but I couldn’t even exercise during the class because the school said physical education is not important to get in university or college. In addition, the school let students study for a large amount of time. I used to go school in 7 am and finished school over 9 o’clock and I had to go to some academy to study. Finally I could go back home after 1 am. So I was sick of this education system and tried to look for other school; however, the problem was not only from education system of my school but also from the education system of Korea. My father recommended me to go abroad. That is why I came to US. In some point of view, studying abroad seems unpractical because it takes few times much more money than studying in own country. Also, there is racism, which was reduced but never disappear and language problem. I should tolerate the entire disadvantage to be foreigner in abroad. My English was so poor that I couldn’t even speak to get a food I was hungry. I also did not understand that people made fun of me. First 6 months was hard time to adapt in new environment; however I was proud of being a normal student after adapting period. The endurance to be a normal and adapted person in foreign country was catalyst and energy to overcome every hindrance. Through I could obtain my courage to overcome obstacle.