1. Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Tiara Hicks and I am a Business Marketing Global studies major from Richmond, Virginia, in the United States of America. I currently attend North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina in the United States of America as well.


2. What made you come to Korea?
I love to travel, and I have always wanted to spend a semester abroad. As an emerging market in the global economy, I thought Korea would be a great Asian country for me to spend a semester. After conferring with my ISEP study abroad advisor, she highly recommended Keimyung University.


3. Are you doing any extracurricular activities in Keimyung or in Korea? What kind of activities are they, and why do you do them?
During my stay here in Korea, I am participating in the CCAP program. Through this program, I visit various schools in Korea and teach children about American Culture. As a homogeneous society, I think it is important that Korean children are introduced to other cultures early in life. I realize that many of the children I teach may not have had the opportunity to come in contact with someone that is not Korean. As a foreigner, I believe that I can help young children comprehend the importance of diversity, and become aware of American culture.
I also participate in Gaya International Toastmasters club, which is an extension of Toastmasters clubs in America. Toastmasters is an organization designed to help individuals with their public speaking abilities. Here in Korea, it also assists Koreans with the opportunity to enhance their English speaking skills.


4. Please introduce your country, hometown, and your university life before you came to Korea, and what are the biggest differences between your university in the USA and Keimyung?
University life in America and Korea are similar, although there are some very striking differences. In America many college students have a greater sense of independence than I have noticed in Korean students. Often if students at my university do not live on campus, they live in an apartment often times with a roommate. Usually they find part-time employment to finance their living expenses and frequently pay for their own tuition. In this regard the campus life has a greater sense of freedom. There aren’t as many rules on campus especially in the dormitory, and there is no curfew. Students are treated like adults because that is what they are expected to be. Professors don’t usually take attendance, because they believe if a student wants to learn, he/she will attend class particularly because it is to their benefit. Also, at my university, students normally take 15 or 18 credit hours per semester. Students, professors, and administration foster a relationship that extends beyond the class room. There is a sense of kinship and the staff genuinely wants to see you succeed in life and will help in any way they can.
Clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities are more popular on campus and alumni participation is far greater. There is a great sense of pride that embodies my university, and it is not uncommon to see many people supporting the college. Whether it be an athletic event or a campus wide fundraiser, the support is overwhelming.
Overall, I think that the students work just as hard as the students in Korea, but they also have just as much fun as they do work. Society in America is competitive, but there is not as much pressure on students as there is in Korea. I think this helps students to enjoy their lives while their young before they become overwhelmed with the responsibilities of a career and family life.


5. What do you want to achieve during your stay in Korea?
My overall goal is to become familiar with the Korean culture. Personally, I believe it is an amazing task to attempt to assimilate into another country’s culture. I want to learn as much as I can about how the Korean society operates. Hopefully, this knowledge will be beneficial when looking at things with a “worldly” point of view. I will have first hand experience and understanding on dealing with another culture besides that of the Unites States. These skills are crucial especially as the U.S. continues to diversify in almost every way imaginable. Essentially, I want my stay in Korea to broaden my horizons and introduce a wide-range of situational specific approaches to life.