Koreans and Me: An International Interchange in a Local Setting (+Black American)

I first had a personal interaction with a Korean when I worked as an ESL tutor in January 2003. This was when I was still an undergraduate student in the Political Science program of the College of Liberal Arts of the University of Baguio. I never really thought that this "rough" encounter would be the beginning of a continuous influx of the descendants of JUMONG into my life, hehehehe. Well, I say it was "rough" because I was disappointed with the behavior of the lady I tutored (she was in her early 30's then). I did not continue teaching her because she was dictating what I should teach her. Hmmm, I'll cut it right there. I am invoking my right to remain silent and my right against self-incrimination, hehehehe.

Anyway, that Korean lady might have been... mmm... you know... But she is but one among many. In short, she is an exception. Many of my Korean students are good-natured and are really diligent. Hmmm, they're quite nice and warm; sweet and friendly; happy and thoughtful.

Take a look at these guys who are undergoing grueling academic training in my class...


Kim, Jung Hwan (2nd from left). Byun, Jimin (1st from right)


They truly are a relevant addition to our University community. They are an essential element in opening up the minds of our studentry to the vast realities outside the Philippines.


Map sourced from http://www.wordtravels.com/images/map/South_Korea_map.jpg

These descendants of the peoples of Silla, Beakje, and Koguryo present a real test to the tenacity and effectiveness of the professors'/instructors' teaching strategies and techniques, & to their ability to respond to the demands of a globalized world in terms of multicultural education and international academic exchange. They, alongside other international students in the campus, provide a new and richer academic environment where professors could adjust and level-up their teaching performance towards becoming more internationally-competitive.

More importantly, their presence gives the teachers a chance to "widen their coasts" (i.e. make their influence more transnationally profound) and touch more lives. Fascinatingly, it thrills this blogger so much that many of his international students have expressed their appreciation of his efforts in teaching. It truly warms one's heart when people show how thankful they are to you because of how you dealt with them or for how you have unknowingly touched their hearts.

I would like to share to my readers these written notes and text messages that came from some of my international students... (Disclaimer: The succeeding statements were copied verbatim from the notes and SMS sent by the students.)

"Hello! My value instructor he he i am ___________ (name withheld).. And thank u for the teaching :D And I am so sorry.. My shortage english.. He he.. Thank u very much! Salamat.. I cannt forgot my skul life because of u.. I am really happyness when I was studying with u.. please don't forget me thank u! God bless u everyday." Text message from _SSK_, a Korean (Rizal class, 4:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09). Received: March 13, 2009 5:26 PM.

"Thank you for your kindness sir. And then Have a good trip sir." Text message from _LSM_, a Korean (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09). Received: March 26, 2009 9:11 PM.


The following are notes from my Korean students:

"Thank you for being kind to Koreans..." - Do Young (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"Thank you. I met you everyday without weekend. I studied here first time I think You are a good teacher, for me. I want to meet you next semester." - Kang Eun (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"haha very exciting subject... Teacher thank you for giving us consideration especially Im late everyday haha.. anyway I enjoyed being under your class because your very happy in teaching. Im looking forward to be your student in Rizal... hahaha happy vacation thank you teacher" - Young Min (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"Have a nice vacation! And Don't for get me... Maybe, I'll be missing you. :) I thought, You are very good teacher." - Hee Hyun (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"Sir _______, thank you teacher. i think you are a good teacher I'll try my best. thank you sir And have a nice vacation!" - Seung Chan (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"I think, we have group activity our class we can to study very well. and, more funny. But, sometimes we don't know culture of Philippine. So, we wanna know more culture." - Soung Min (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"Thank you for your hard work teaching and I had fun in your lessons. Happy vacation and always take care." - Minjin (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"Thank you sir. your class was really interested for me." - Hanui (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"Thank You Sir for teaching me. Thank You for everything, I enjoyed the class with you, I will miss you" - Tae Hoon (Sociology class, 11:30-12:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"Sir ______. Thank you for teaching me earnestly. I really liked your way of teaching. Because of it, I think I could learn more. And thank you for concerning me for this term. I hope to learn from you for next term again. God bless you. Sir. Have a nice vcation." - Chan Yang (Socio-Anthro class, 1:30-2:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

"thank you for your kindness for me and I hope see you next time in Cambodia. I will pray for you. Pls Pray for me also. I'm really Thank to you. thanks :)" - Dre (Socio-Anthro class, 1:30-2:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09). Hmmm, his father is a missionary to Cambodia. He said he'll pray so I can go there too...

"Thank you po? I miss you sometimes." - Hyeong Cheol (Socio-Anthro class, 1:30-2:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).


And the only black American student I had wrote this... "Thank You Very much almost for everything that you have done for me. I had a wonderful time in the classroom and outside the classroom. May God bless you forever and ever." - Akele (Socio-Anthro class, 1:30-2:30 MWF, 2nd Sem 08-09).

Well, are those not something? Think of it...

Where are my fellow teachers? hehehehehe.