By Lee Ye-ji
After graduating from high school in South Korea, all I ever wanted was to earn my bachelors degree in the U.S. I saw it as a tremendous opportunity to grow as a person and initiate my future career. However, it would prove to take both time and effort to acclimatize to American culture and American student life.
I arrived in California in 2004 to start a two-year study at a community college. Prior to commencing my education in the U.S., I had not taken any ESL (English as a Second Language) classes or attended a language school. I soon realized that it was a significant mistake. The college expected international students to take ESL classes simultaneously with their regular classes. Due to this, I was forced to study hard and utilize every resource I could find including tutors, friends, and professors.
The key to success in your academic and professional endeavors in the U.S. is your communication skills. English classes at a Korean school are not sufficient by far.
Attending a language school in the U.S. is the best option to pursue. By doing this, you will be given an opportunity to improve your English proficiency dramatically.
I had to put all my energies into study, staying up late every night in my first academic year abroad to receive a high grade.
I found a disturbing trend during my years in the U.S. All international students segregated themselves in accordance with countries from where they came.
They only interacted socially with students from their hometowns and, consequently, spoke their native language for the majority of the time. Koreans was as guilty of this as Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian students.
The only group of international students that didn’t segregate themselves were students from Europe. They integrated with greater ease with American students and other international students. Initially, I too associated with fellow Korean students due to a sense of belonging and security.
However, I realized that this behavior was doing me more harm than good and I went to great effort to gain American friends and friends from all over the world.
I forced myself to improve my communication skills as well as my networking skills.
Towards the end of my two years in California, I was working as a tutor for both international and American students. I had also developed many good friendships. I have since then transferred to the University of Colorado and I have learned from my initial mistake not to mix.
Racism is unfortunately a part of American life and I have personally been exposed to it.
Racism takes various forms and is sometimes not blatant. For instance, I had one professor who for some reason didn’t like me (or my race). I asked for my grade half way through the semester and he gave me a low one.
I knew this was not the grade I deserved and I demanded him to show me what he based that grade on. When showing me the records, it was obvious that the low grade was unjustifiable.
The next day the professor changed my grade to the one I requested.
Racism also is prevalent among students and communities there. Sometimes Asian students are treated differently just because of where they came from. This can entail everything from how students treat you in class to how you are treated in a shopping mall.
Many Americans have never traveled abroad or even out of their state, which contributes to their ignorance. Though I need to stress that the vast majority of Americans are very open-minded and friendly.
Actually, many regard foreigners as being more sophisticated and fascinating. They are honored to have us in their country and believe that Asians enrich their society.
Despite all the things I have experienced, I never regret my decision to pursue my bachelor’s degree in the U.S. The positive experiences by far exceed the negative. I have definitively grown as a person equipped with important skills for my future career in business.
Regardless of where you travel in the world, it is imperative to be true to yourself and the values you bring with you from Korea. These values will benefit you tremendously.
Study English prior to enrolling in educational institution and be conscious in you decision of whom you associate yourself with. I have noticed that if you are willing and open-minded, then, you will experience great things.
I feel blessed that I have accomplished what I have and I contribute it to the values, morals, and principles that my parents and my country have bestowed on me.
Lee Ye-ji is senior majoring in business at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in the U.S.