Do You also Want to Travel Abroad? ll

The story of Kyu-Nam Park who is traveling around the world (Dept. of International Trade)

Everybody knows that people would dream around-the-world trip but couldn’t realize it easily. Nevertheless, I would say it is a possible dream!

A first step of preparing travel around the world was to post a map of the world on my desk and become familiar with the world. And I made the travel plan circling the countries on the map according to my standards. I finished preparing the trip after reserving airline tickets of ‘One world (http://www.oneworld.com/)’ of moving 4 continents (16th flights, unlimited distance).

Now, I’m traveling Istanbul, Turkey via Japan – from North America (Canada, U. S.) - South America (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil) - Spain - Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. My best memories are that I saw Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls and met local people with bright smile who looked like an angel in Syria. I felt lonely when I saw an amazing night view and a beautiful sea alone. I could forget loneliness when I ate and saw the things which I watched in TV, with worldwide people. The best thing in traveling is that I get to know myself well. You can go anywhere, if you have open mind and enough money.

The story of Sung-Hoon Won who was one of camp counselors (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering)

Last summer vacation, I had been a camp counselor who worked to give chance to children to meet foreigners through foreign camps in America. After I passed paper test and English interview through ‘Camp America,’ I could do as a camp counselor in America. Generally, camp counselors have to adapt themselves well to foreign camp life and can speak fluently.

Frankly, I was assistant staff during last summer vacation, so I could assist children’s camping, including sports, play and game all day. Even though I had some difficulties in communication because of the cultural differences, I could forget such trouble things when I saw children’s bright smile. Leave now, if you planed your travel schedule!

The story of Dong-Hyun Oh who went to the third world nations (Dept. of Electronic Engineering)

Last winter, I made my mind to trip for a few weeks in February. After spending busy schedule, I thought to go to the third world nations at that time and chose Vietnam and Cambodia, and then I started the trip at once. Although I came near to being kidnapped and lost in the jungle, I could learn more rather than last trip. I still keep in touch with foreign friends via e-mail who used the same room with me in a hostel. Because I could settle unexpected difficulties by myself, I could gain the confidence that I can do anything. You could get a lot of things through trip, enough to forget fear before trip.

The story of Woo-Yung Jung who had experience of Mongolia as an exchange student (Dept. of Mongolian)


▶ National University of Mongolia

I had been at the National University of Mongolia for a year. I was surprised that Mongolian universities are similar to Korean’s. Most Mongolian university students go to clubs and computer cafes, play basketball, and have a drink after class. They are not different from Korean students at all. But there is a different point. I had trouble adapting Mongolia’s concept of time. Even the staff of a school didn't keep on time. Also same thing happened between friends. But as the time passed, I understood the culture and accept it.

While living there, I understood Mongolian culture. I learned Mongolian language through Mongolian friends, including Mongolian history. I promised myself to study harder. If you are planned to attend a university of Mongolia as an exchange student, I would like to advise you to make many Mongolian friends as possible so that you could have more chances to learn their language through conversation. Don't forget! It really makes no difference between foreigner and us.