[Letters] High hopes of a good stay in Seoul for all from foreign lands

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[Letters] High hopes of a good stay in Seoul for all from foreign lands

The JoongAng Daily editorial from Oct. 4, “Focus on foreign workers,” motivated me to share my concerns and wonderful experiences since Aug. 31, 2010, when I reached Seoul from India.

To retain foreign manpower in Korea, there is certainly a need to create an attractive living environment, as is being provided to me at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

I wish to place on record my gratefulness and a word of appreciation for the warm welcome I received on my arrival. Jeon Young-kyun - a student with a smiling face - received me at the airport on behalf of the entire Korean fraternity.

Prof. Kim Cha-hwan - a scholar par excellence on India welcomed me with vegetarian food, which is otherwise a big problem for a strict vegetarian like me. He got me acquainted with my teaching work at the Graduate School of International Area Studies with necessary instructions, such as speaking English [to students] a little slow.

Officially the dean of GSIAS, Prof. Kim - an outstanding scholar and human being - invited me over a cup of tea and got me acquainted with every thing at Seoul.

The most dynamic academic leader Prof. Park Chul, president of HUFS, hosted a welcome lunch for me and introduced me to the other dignitaries at HUFS, assuring me every possible facility in Seoul. I will remember the love and welcome they showed me for many years to come.

I am enthusiastic to tell the people of Korea that HUFS is providing free Korean language lessons to foreign faculty, which can go a long way toward removing the language barriers observed in the editorial.

At the same time, there is a strong case for Koreans in Seoul to strengthen their English communication skills to truly make it the “Soul of Asia,” as is claimed on many of the taxis flying by in this city.

I have high hopes of a good stay in Seoul, not just for me, but for all from foreign lands.


Dr. M.M. Goel,

ICCR chair professor of Indian economy, Graduate School of International & Area Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
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