Feature Article About A Travel-5
Challenging is Everything ～from studying in Korea～
Yui Shinohara (Faculty of Policy Studies, 2nd Year)
I have decided to study abroad for two reasons. The first reason is I wanted to know more about a country next to Japan. The second reason is I wanted to acquire a skill to speak Korean. During the time when “Winter Sonata,” series of television drama, was broadcasted, there were Korean waves and booms in Japan. However, there weren’t much of them unlike today. Because of this, many people ask me, “Why are you going to study at Korea?” I thought many Japanese didn’t know about Korea, a country next door. What is the difference between Japan and Korea? What are the lives of teenagers like? I was simply just curious.
There are many similarities, as well as differences, between Japan and Korea. The biggest difference is that there are military services in Korea. The eldest son in the host family is in the military service now. He is attending college, and living a normal life. Unfortunately, if he receives convocation from the country, then he will have to stay in the army for about two years. Even though people like him who is living a normal life, I couldn’t believe there are military services pulled away from the world we live in.
The Koreans have warm hearts and they are very powerful. Once I get closer to them, they treat me like a family. People are very close distance with each other. For example, it is normal for girls to hold hands with another girl. There was also a time when a girl, who sat behind me, braided my hair during a class period. When I was studying in Korea, I came to understand how gentle Koreans were. I was very surprised that Japanese idols and dramas were really popular in Korea. However when it comes to news on television, it only picks up the scenes in which Koreans are burning the Japanese flag of Hinomaru. There could possibly be the opposite as well. Nonetheless, not all Koreans feel hatred toward Japan, and vice versa.
In Korea, August 15th is a public holiday when Korea was liberated. I was there on that day. Not knowing when a demonstration could occur, a large number of police men scattered around the city. But, almost all the people who were there avoided taking those roads with police men. Many people were afraid of these guards who were behaving excessively. I have realized that the world seen on television was different from the world I saw. I strongly felt that it is more important to see the real world yourself than to accept the given information.
Korea is a country known to be far but also close to Japan. As of now, the import and export of the different cultures were commonly held. I am happy that Japan and Korea are close not only by their distances but also by their cultures.
Shinohara, center, “I was strongly impressed with the traditional arts of Korea”
Because of this, Korea became a place where people could travel easily even on their weekends. From now on, I wish that Korea and Japan will continue to have a respect for and understand about each other.
From my experience of studying in Korea, I have realized that it is importance to challenge yourself with anything. I took the chance of going to Korea, and made it come true. When I was there, I talked with a lot people than when I was in Japan, and I challenged myself with everything I could. I have found out that things will change if you take action before thinking about it. Studying at Korea, gave me the valuable experiences I have ever had!
