The Office of International Affairs (OIA) at Chonnam National University runs a “Buddy Program” to help students from foreign countries adapt to school life. Korean students who applied for the program can be matched with international students if they pass the interview. The Tribune met two students who became friends through the Buddy Program. They are Choi Ji-hye (Sophomore, Faculty of Business Administration) and Samiyah Jones (Junior, Faculty of Business Administration) who came to campus as an exchange student from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in the U.S.

    While Ji-hye was hoping to have a friend who she could talk with in English, she saw card news on OIA’s Instagram that it would pick buddies for exchange students and she applied for it. Ji-hye said it seemed like a good opportunity because she could improve her English skills with a friend and even receive subsidies. When Samiyah was in middle school, her Korean friend told her about Korean culture, so she has been interested in Korea since then. Samiyah learned Korean by herself by watching videos posted on YouTube and coming to Korea as an international student was something that she looked forward to.

    When they first met, Samiyah said she was comfortable, although she is an introvert and tends to get nervous when meeting new people, because Ji-hye is an extrovert and treated her nicely. Ji-hye said at first that she thought Samiyah was a little shy, but she could understand because it was their first meeting. They got close quickly, sometimes hanging out more than three times a week. Ji-hye actively taught Samiyah Korean food such as “buldak” fried noodles and karaoke culture. They went to pretty cafes, went around near the school, and also took pictures together.

    Thanks to Samiyah, Ji-hye is getting more and more confident as she can speak English better than before, and she has a goal of studying abroad as an exchange student. In addition, she learned many things about the U.S. and felt her perspectives widened while talking to Samiyah. And Samiyah was able to adapt to living in Korea due to her buddy who is fluent in English. They wish to see each other more often when school starts, and travel together before Samiyah goes back to the U.S.

    Ji-hye would definitely recommend this program to someone who has a desire to speak English like her. She thinks it will be a good experience for those who are curious about international friends and those who want to expand their horizons. There are two types of buddy program: one is to help exchange students during the semester, and the other is to be a buddy of international students dispatched for a short period of time during the vacation. It is definitely worth being an international student’s buddy. Consider doing this program that might help you develop and grow.

By Gim Ye-rin, Tribune Reporter