Living in South Korea as North Korean

 In Korea, there is one race, and we do not discriminate people because of the race. However, in South Korea, there is a discrimination problem about a few people who ran away from North Korea. I heard from various media that many people from North Korea are sufferring from not being paid money or discrimination in work even though system is well organized compared with other countries. It means they cannot get a good treatment in South Korea even if they came to South Korea with "Korea Dream". I think we have to care about these people by increasing understand of them and strong laws which can protect them from late disbursement of wages. It is because we are same Koreans and I believe our countries can be unified someday.

Meanings of having a gun for Americans

 Before coming here, I heard that there has been debates about having a gun in America. At that time, I could not understand why many American people want to have a gun. To know their opinion about that, I asked the view of a gun to my two American friends. I was so surprised that their views are contrary to each other. One of my friends, Jessica, said that there is no gun in her house, and having a gun is scary so she disagree to do that. But, another friend, Sam, said that he has a gun because of hunting, and having a gun is not problem because it is just a right. I told Sam's opinion to Jessica. Then, she said, there are some Americans who think that, especially men. It was shocking to me because I thought that almost of all Americans would think having a gun is a bad thing. Actually, I thought the debates about banning a gun in America is just because of the interest of NRA. I did not know that there are some normal people who think it is not problem. In my home country, Korea, gun is illegal material so we cannot have that. In that reason, we do not worry about being gunned. Many people can feel comfortable if governance ban a gun. But, in other side, I can understand that they think like that because of their pioneer history. Talking with Americans about a gun was what I have wanted. Even if it was shocking, it was also interesting to know different culture between American and Korea.

The Impressive Skiing Experience.

 Last Sunday, I went skiing with ESL professor and classmates. Before going there, I was nervous because I have never done it before and I have a bad body which is very stiff. But, while skiing, I felt fresh and interesting even if it was hard. I like just ping-pong and bowling of all exercises, but skiing also become my favorite exercise. Skiing is similar to rollerblading that was boom in Korea when I was young. Thus, I could remember 2002 World Cup in Korea because I cheered Korean soccer team with my friends while rollerblading in the park. However, there were other things that I felt more interesting. When I was riding a same van with my professor, she talked to the driver constantly. I thought that it is also American culture that Americans say each other even if they are not familiar. In addition, while skiing, there were many people who say “hello” to us. That is also the American culture that I realized firstly, after I came here! If I say “hello” to unfamiliar people in Korea, they can feel embarrassed and perplexed. After the skiing, I was very tired and hungry, but felt a sense of satisfaction. The experience on Sunday was fun to learn about skiing and impressive to know about culture.   

Immigraion Story in America

 I have an image of America, “America is an immigrants’ country”. But, even if I came to America, I cannot feel that directly because most people look similar in eau-claire. That is different from my thinking about various kinds of Americans I watched from television. To know about immigrants, I asked to my roommate about her ethnic backgrounds because her last name is Krentz, which is somewhat unique in America. Her father’s side is German, and her mother’s side is British. That is why her last name is German. She knows very well when her ancestors immigrated to America. Her father’s ancestors immigrated to America in 1850’s and mother’s ancestors immigrated in 1700’s. She supposed that they came to America to seek opportunity of jobs and achieve the American dream like other enormous people. Because they lived in America for a long time, there is no one in her family who speaks German or contacts with any relatives in the old country. She also does not observe their family’s traditions or legacies from old country. But, she researched genealogy about her family last year because it was homework in her psychology class. She felt that it was interesting to know about her ancestors. I also feel interested that her ancestors are German and British. It is not common thing in Korea because almost of all Koreans are from same ancestors. However, many Americans’ ancestors are from various countries. When I asked that to other Americans, they also said their ancestors are German, Austrians, Poles and Indians. It is very interesting for me and now I can be sure that America is an immigrants’ country.

Walking tour from Schofield Hall to James Wickham House~

(Third Ward)

<Schofield Hall.>

 This building is Schofield Hall. This name is from Harvey Schofield, first president of the normalschool. This is first housed as the EauClaire State Normal School, which prepared teachers for positions in the public schools.

<James Wickham House>

 This building is James Wickham House. This building used various countris' style of architecture. James Wickham, an attorney, established the well-known firm of Wickham & Farr and served as City Attorney in 1897 and from 1899 to1905.

How would I define the culture

 Every country has their own culture and the culture can be defined as many things like clothes, music and even the way of thinking.
 If I have to pick one, I would define the culture as the way of thinking. It is very different from country to country. For example, In America, many people think it is important to rest, and they go to their house when the work time is end. But, in Korea, although they finish their work, they do not go to their house right away. It is because they think it is not desirable before their boss leaves the office and they think hard-working is good although the work time is over. American and Korean think differently about working and it can be the their each culture about working.

Three Contrasts between UWEC students and Korean students

I come to America to improve English and experience American life. Sometimes, I am surprised that there are some diffrences between UWEC students and Korean students.

At first, UWEC students say ‘hi’ and talk when they meet someone who has not seen ever, but Korean students don’t say that with someone who has not seen ever. When I moved in my dorm, I saw American students say 'Hi' each other, but I thought that was because they are friend. But, American students also say 'Hi' to me and then, I realized that they also say that to unfamiliar people naturally.

Secondly, Many UWEC students are not care about their clothes much and usually wear casual clothes, but many Korean students are care about their clothes and makeup so some students wear different style of clothes. In Korea, there are many girls who wear casual clothes in one day and wear skirts and highhills in another usual day although there is not time to make a presentation, but I cannot see that in UWEC university.

 Finally, UWEC students are not care about age and they are all friends. but Korean studnets are care about age and they try to polite to older students before they are friendly each other. However,  some American students even do not know their friend's age and grade like junior or senior exactly. It was very interesting to me.