There are many differences between the U.S. and Korea. One of them is cars. Cars in Korea are smaller so they take up less space. “Korean roads and parking is smaller.” states Joung. Joung’s Korean school is also very different from U.S. schools. “School in Korea is very big” Joung states. Joung’s school is five stories high. The ages for elementary school are eight to thirteen, with 2,000 students. The middle school is ages 14 to 16 with 1,000 students. Also the high school has 1,000 students from ages 17 to 19. Each grade is split into 10 classes. “I have many friends because (the) school is so big. I have to go to school from 7:00 am to 10:00pm,” Joung states.

“Sports are very good in the U.S. In Korea it’s unimportant,” states Joung. The most popular sport in Korea is soccer. Few women are allowed to play sports. “I love field hockey!” states Joung.

Joung also shared her favorite food, kim- chi. Kim- chi is a spicy, pickled (fermented) vegetable (Korean cabbage, radishes, cucumber, etc.) seasoned with garlic, red pepper, ginger and sometimes fish. “I like Den Jaug soup and Korean seafood,” Joung shared.

Joung’s city, Kwang- Ju, is very loud and very bright and has many large buildings. “I miss the lights and noise of the city. I also miss my friends, family, food and my room.” says Joung. Joung’s brother starts college this November in Korea. “I miss my mom very much,” said Joung. Joung and her parents agreed that it was good for Joung to come to America to go to college. Joung likes the opportunity that the U.S. provides.

When Joung first came to the U.S. from Korea, she said it was difficult to understand the American signs. “It is hard to go shopping because people do not understand what I’m saying.” Joung said. “It is very hard to do homework because I need to look up words or ask my aunt.” Despite that Mrs. Quinn, the English teacher at Belleville Mennonite, says “She has really come a long way in her English.”

Belleville students welcome Joung to share her high school career with them.