Learning the language, neglecting the culture?
Published: 21 Sep. 2009, 21:12
Recently the JoongAng Daily ran a letter from a Korean student at the University of Texas-Austin, in which he writes about the differences in drinking culture between Korea and the United States. He also writes about differences in culture in general, and talks to Korean students all across the U.S.
One student told this person, “When we hang out with people from other countries, they don’t really speak formally, even in English, therefore I can hardly accept their different attitude from a Korean perspective.” The author himself wrote “Koreans usually hang out with only Koreans.”
The letter opened up an interesting discussion about fitting in overseas, specifically among Korean students abroad, who are notorious for isolating themselves with other Koreans.
Looking at the challenges older Korean students may have around younger Americans, 3gyupsal writes, “[T]hink of the terms by which Koreans make friends. I think there is a certain expectation by Koreans that younger people respect them, and in this respect English doesn’t cater to Koreans well. Picture this situation: There is a 26-year-old Korean guy, he had been in the army for two years and is attending an American university as a sophomore. He is in a class with a 24-year-old American guy who wants to be the Korean’s friend, and the American is a senior. The Korean doesn’t ever say his real name and gets upset whenever younger people say ‘Hey you.’ The 24-year-old American guy just says ‘whatever’ and leaves the Korean guy alone.”
Peter adds, “I’ve gotten the impression that most Korean students who move abroad to study English don’t even consider the fact that they will be immersing themselves in the culture, not just the language. This is probably because most of them have little personal interest in English-speaking cultures; they want to study English simply because they believe that’s what successful Koreans do. So it makes sense that some of them would find the cultural differences frustrating and overwhelming, subsequently spending all their time with other Koreans, and, ironically, speaking only Korean most of the time.”
Though it’s the student’s responsibility to make a healthy relationship with the host country, kushibo questions whether many Americans really try to get to know foreign students: “I wonder if part of the problem lies with [many] American students unwilling to make an effort with foreign students or not knowing how to.”
In a country like the United States, though, a foreign-looking person isn’t always a foreigner, as old o points out. “I don’t think most American students can see whether or not someone is a student from another country or merely just an Asian-American.” He concludes, “Assuming all Asian students are from another country will probably get you in more trouble than you want, at least in Hilo [in Hawaii].” Indeed, not only will Asian-Americans resent being thought to be foreigners, but many Asians may treat overly helpful natives with suspicion.
In spite of the stereotypes of closed, unfriendly Korean students in the U.S., it’s important to look at the big picture, B writes. “Koreans (and I guess other foreigners) who exclude themselves from the rest of American society tend to have negative experiences, but the Koreans I know who made an effort to hang out with Americans and learn about American culture had many positive things to say.”
Stevie Bee points out the obvious: “I would hope you all realize that the criticisms commonly made against Koreans (they don’t want to integrate, they only speak to other Koreans, they don’t understand U.S. ‘culture,’ they only spend money at Korean establishments rather than ‘genuine’ bars and restaurants, etc.) are the exact same criticisms that are made of native speaker English teachers when they come to Korea.” One hopes that anyone who has faced the challenges of life abroad will have greater empathy for foreigners when they return home.
By Brian Deutsch Contributing writer
One student told this person, “When we hang out with people from other countries, they don’t really speak formally, even in English, therefore I can hardly accept their different attitude from a Korean perspective.” The author himself wrote “Koreans usually hang out with only Koreans.”
The letter opened up an interesting discussion about fitting in overseas, specifically among Korean students abroad, who are notorious for isolating themselves with other Koreans.
Looking at the challenges older Korean students may have around younger Americans, 3gyupsal writes, “[T]hink of the terms by which Koreans make friends. I think there is a certain expectation by Koreans that younger people respect them, and in this respect English doesn’t cater to Koreans well. Picture this situation: There is a 26-year-old Korean guy, he had been in the army for two years and is attending an American university as a sophomore. He is in a class with a 24-year-old American guy who wants to be the Korean’s friend, and the American is a senior. The Korean doesn’t ever say his real name and gets upset whenever younger people say ‘Hey you.’ The 24-year-old American guy just says ‘whatever’ and leaves the Korean guy alone.”
Peter adds, “I’ve gotten the impression that most Korean students who move abroad to study English don’t even consider the fact that they will be immersing themselves in the culture, not just the language. This is probably because most of them have little personal interest in English-speaking cultures; they want to study English simply because they believe that’s what successful Koreans do. So it makes sense that some of them would find the cultural differences frustrating and overwhelming, subsequently spending all their time with other Koreans, and, ironically, speaking only Korean most of the time.”
Though it’s the student’s responsibility to make a healthy relationship with the host country, kushibo questions whether many Americans really try to get to know foreign students: “I wonder if part of the problem lies with [many] American students unwilling to make an effort with foreign students or not knowing how to.”
In a country like the United States, though, a foreign-looking person isn’t always a foreigner, as old o points out. “I don’t think most American students can see whether or not someone is a student from another country or merely just an Asian-American.” He concludes, “Assuming all Asian students are from another country will probably get you in more trouble than you want, at least in Hilo [in Hawaii].” Indeed, not only will Asian-Americans resent being thought to be foreigners, but many Asians may treat overly helpful natives with suspicion.
In spite of the stereotypes of closed, unfriendly Korean students in the U.S., it’s important to look at the big picture, B writes. “Koreans (and I guess other foreigners) who exclude themselves from the rest of American society tend to have negative experiences, but the Koreans I know who made an effort to hang out with Americans and learn about American culture had many positive things to say.”
Stevie Bee points out the obvious: “I would hope you all realize that the criticisms commonly made against Koreans (they don’t want to integrate, they only speak to other Koreans, they don’t understand U.S. ‘culture,’ they only spend money at Korean establishments rather than ‘genuine’ bars and restaurants, etc.) are the exact same criticisms that are made of native speaker English teachers when they come to Korea.” One hopes that anyone who has faced the challenges of life abroad will have greater empathy for foreigners when they return home.
By Brian Deutsch Contributing writer
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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