longer to read the Eagle than
Korean newspapers, but maybe
if we read what was going on in
this community we wouldn’t be
so passive.
‘‘Most Korean wives stay
home and study and we be
come more passive. But to
change, the situation must be
fifty-fifty. Our attitude toward
the community must change
and the community’s attitude
toward foreign students must
change.”
Being misunderstood is frus
trating for the Korean students,
and Dukmin says he became
depressed because he couldn’t
explain to a mechanic what car
part he needed.
“I couldn't think of the En
glish name for the car part,” he
says. “I was frustrated because
I couldn’t explain myself. But
you can bet I know every name
of every car part in my car
now."
Finances are also a problem
for Korean students. Most re
ceive some money from their
parents and have a research
assistantship in their depart
ment in order to make ends
meet.
Obviously, their stay in the
United States isn’t without
drawbacks, but the Korean stu
dents says they will miss as
pects of American life when
they return home. Koom says
she will miss the independence
of the American people who do
what they want, even though
she doesn’t understand why
thev dress the wav they do.
Duk-jin says he’ll miss the
free time he has in the United
States when he returns to Seoul.
“In Korea we have a lot of
gatherings,” he says. “Before we
go home, after work, we go
drink and play. If friends want
you to go with them you better
go with them. Here you can say
you have something to do. Your
time is more your own.”
Koom Chang is a grad
uate student majoring in
food science and technol
ogy. She works as a re
search assistant in the
food protein research
and development center.