Kourtland Tate, a recipient of the 2022 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), has always had an interest in learning about different languages and cultures, even though she majors in sociology and anthropology at Spelman College in the U.S. For her, the CLS Korean Language Program, hosted by the Language Education Center at Chonnam National University, is a great opportunity to learn Korean while being completely immersed in Korean culture. It is an intensive summer study abroad activity for American college and university students to learn languages considered to be crucial to the United States' future security and stability. Along with twenty other students, Kourtland was matched with her language partner, Lee Che-rin (Sophomore, Dept. of Software Engineering), and they have done various activities for the past eight weeks. Just one day before Kourtland left Gwanjgu, the Chonnam Tribune interviewed the two language partners about learning Korean, living in Korea for the first time, and bonding with each other.

    Kourtland started watching K-dramas during the pandemic and initially decided to learn the language in order understand what was going on without needing subtitles. However, there is so much more that she wants to learn. “After coming here, and spending time in Gwangju, I really want to learn more about the history of Korea, because it’s such a deep history compared to America,” she said. When asked about the differences between learning Korean at home and in Korea, she said, “It’s very different. Before applying to this program, I was completely self-taught and had never studied at all in a classroom. Being self-taught is fun, until it’s time to speak or comprehend. I could write stuff, or see grammar points and recognize them, but not recall them. Living in Gwangju and being fully immersive helped me grow at a much faster rate, especially with Che-rin helping me.”

    Che-rin said, “Creating international bonds and exchanging cultures was the main reason I had applied for the CLS program as a language partner.” She emphasized that helping her partner learn Korean and introducing her to life in Gwangju was mutually beneficial. “Introducing Gwangju to Kourtland was definitely a good experience. Unlike Koreans who have a lot of shared knowledge, it was interesting to show this city around to her because everything was new to her. I was also able to realize how little I knew about my own hometown. This is why I made sure to do my research before visiting cultural or historical sites with Kourtland. These activities helped her understand the history of the city better and ultimately gave myself a chance to learn more about my Gwangju.”

    Kourtland and Che-rin shared many memories together, visiting museums, going to traditional markets, and having Korean food. Their favorite memory is their trip to Damyang where they walked through a bamboo forest, explored a market, and had “tteok-galbi” together. On the CLS program coming to an end, Che-rin said, “It was great to make an American friend. We had so much fun together, and I’m glad that Kourtland’s Korean skills have improved so much.” Kourtland said, “I’m so grateful for Che-rin. I really appreciated her for being so patient with my Korean and taking me out to places.” Promising to keep in touch, Kourtland and Che-rin are already making plans to see each other again. Through the CLS language partner program, they were able to create a friendship that crossed over all sorts of borders.

By Lee You-nny, Tribune Reporter