Interview #3

In preparation for the interview that I had conducted with Seunghwan Shin, who is from South Korea, I gathered some information about South Korea, had created a list of questions that I emailed him when we set up the time for the interview, that way Seunghwan would be able to look over the questions. The objectives that I have with the interview are; I want to learn the culture, his experience as a student in the United States, and some general questions. When the interview time comes, we decided to have the interview take place at the Miller Center, one of the study rooms, because library is the most comfortable and quiet. The interview took place on November 08, 2009 at 3 p.m in the afternoon. I also asked his permission to audio record, so I used an iphone to record the interview.
When the interview time came, I was all prepared with two copies of my interview questions, booked the study room; couple bottle waters something I learned from my previous interviews, charge my phone fully because I was going to use it as a recorder, and pen and paper. I wanted to make sure that it was going to be most convenient.
The person to whom I interviewed was Seunghwan. He is from South Korea, the capital city Seoul. He came to the United States in 2007. He is 25 years old; currently he is a junior student and majoring finance. His interests are golf, and cars. During the interview, he gave me good information, the interview went smoothly; There was a part in the interview that did move me was in the US is the golf courses are cheap. Which I never thought it would be cheaper than Asian countries.
Information about South Korea
South Korea is located in East Asia, on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. There is China to the west, Japan to the east, and North Korea to the north. Its capital is Seoul.
Government, “South Korea's government is divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative.” [1]

History: Korea was founded in 2333 BCE by Dangun. On Jun.25th 1950, North Korea tried to unify the country by military force which lead to the Korean War, and it was ended in 1953.

Foreign relationship: Historically, Korea used to have relatively close relations with the Republic of China. “Before the formation of South Korea, Korean independence fighters worked with Chinese soldiers during the Japanese occupation.” [2]

Geography and Climate: South Korea locates in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It has a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate, and is affected by the East Asian monsoon
Economy: “South Korea had the world's second-fastest growing economy from 1960 to 1990.”[3] Korea's development during this time was called the Miracle on the Han River, and South Korea was also one of the Four Asian Tigers. “South Korea has a high-tech infrastructure, with the world's highest broadband internet access per capita, and the fastest average Internet connections.” [4]
Religion: Less than half of South Koreans have no religious beliefs. Those who do are mostly Christian or Buddhist. Other religions include Islam and various new religious movements such as Jeungism, Daesunism, Cheondoism and Wonbuddhism.
Culture: Besides domestic consumption, South Korean like televised drama, films, and popular music, also generates significant exports to various parts of the world. This phenomenon, often called "Hallyu" or the "Korean Wave", has influenced many countries in Asia and other parts of the world.
Korean cuisine is largely based on rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables, fish and meats. Traditional Korean meals usually include side dishes, banchan (반찬), which accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. Every meal is accompanied by numerous banchan. Kimchi, a fermented, usually spicy vegetable dish is also commonly served at every meal and is one of the best known Korean dishes.
Interview: Galkhuu – G, Seunghwan - S
G: Thank you for willing to spend your time for this interview. And I really appreciate it. Alright, where are you from?
S: I am from Seoul, South Korea
G: How long have you been in the US?
S: I came to the U.S in end of August, 2007
G: Can you tell me about your background?
S: I am from Seoul; I am only child in my family. I studied in Korean university before I transferred to the U.S.
G: What make to decide to come to America to study?
S: Honestly, I was not doing well in my university. I am have been hanging out with my friends a lot and not concerning my studies. Then one day, my parents found out that I wasn’t doing good in my school, they decided to send me to overseas to be independent. So here I am.
G: wow, that’s such a different approach, if I don’t do good in here, my parents would not pay my tuition and probably take me home. Anyways, so how are you doing in your academic career?
S: I am doing good. I now realized the mistakes I have been making and wasted a lot of time in back home.
G: How do you like it here?
S: I like it here, small town with peaceful environment. But sometimes, I want to transfer to somewhere warm though. It gets very cold in the winter here.
G: yeah, that’s true it gets quite cold. But who referred to do study in St.Cloud State University?
S: My mother’s friend is a business department professor in St.Cloud State University. So she referred my mother to send me over here. So she could report to my mother about my processes.
G: I see, that’s interesting. so when you came to the St.Cloud, were able to follow the classes rhythm?
S: No, when I send my application to the St.Cloud State University I didn’t have sufficient TOEFL score, so my first semester I had to take ESL classes.
G: ESL classes means like reading, listening, speaking classes?
S: Yep. I had to take those classes but I liked those classes. It was easy for me and I had so much time to make friends.
G: So when did you started learning English?
S: I started learning English when I was in high school and when I was in the army, I was with American soldiers so this helped me to practice my English.
G: Oh yeah, I have a question regarding for the army. I heard that every Korean men have to go to army is that right?
S: yes, every Korean men have to go to army but there are some exception like disability person
But basically, whether you are famous or rich or poor have to go to army.
G: Now, I want to ask your opinion about the studying in the foreign country?
Like studying in course with second language?
S: Sometimes it’s very hard to study in second language. Sometimes I can’t even express myself or don’t even understand. Sometimes, it is very frustrating but mostly it’s okay.
G: How often do you feel homesick?
S: I don’t get homesick much because I go home every semester break. And for the summer I stay at home. I don’t take any summer classes. It’s not an issue for me.
G: Thanks for your time to interview you. I appreciate your willingness and your effort.