●Pearlianne Miranda, International Lounge Assistant

The International Lounge is a place for students from all over the world. In the Lounge, there are staff who are bridges between those people. In this issue, KMG Information Corner will introduce the International Lounge’s foreign staff member Pearlianne Miranda.

1. Please introduce yourself
I’m Pearl from the Philippines. This is my fourth semester in Keimyung University, and I’ve been here in the Lounge for more than one year. I took a bachelor’s in psychology in the Philippines. My parents are professors here in KMU. That’s how I got to know about Keimyung.

2. What kind of place is the international lounge?
The International Lounge is a place for everyone, not just foreigners. It’s a place to come, meet friends, and communicate. We emphasize a second language only policy for the entire Lounge. In that way, we can promote conversation, and we are trying to make this place a friendly, relaxed place to get away from class and stress. You can also play the piano, guitar, and board games, watch movies, and use the PC and printer. Many people here don’t only talk to their friends. They communicate with other people, too.

3. What kind of work do you do as International Lounge staff?
Staff have to make sure the place is clean, there are no problems, and everyone is following the Lounge policies. We have a few rules. You cannot eat or sleep inside You have to speak in a second language. Staff are also responsible for organizing many activities. We work together and think of activities, movies, and music that can promote the culture of other countries. We are trying to include as many countries as we can. We also want to make exchange students or other international students feel welcome here. For example, we have a weekly tour, and it’s free. Every month, we have trips. Last semester, we went to Suseong Lake and Duryu Park. It’s one way for international students to get to know Daegu. We also have activities like Halloween parties, and we have culture weeks.

4. Why did you apply to the International Lounge?
First, I wanted to earn money while making new friends. In my first semester, I was doing nothing. I’m a graduate student and I just take a few courses, so most weeks I’m free. I decided to find a job inside the university. I learned about the International Lounge, and they were looking for someone. I tried and then I got in.

5. What advantages do International Lounge staff receive?
It’s meeting many people, getting to know their culture and their language, and making diverse foreign friends to visit. For example, I met someone from Japan, and we’ve became close. Now I have a friend to meet who can show me around in Japan. We have staff snacks and a budget for our snacks. We have access to Lounge places like the seminar room. We use the fridge, sink, and kitchen to eat lunch. We also have privileges like if there are department events here and they have excess food, they give the leftover snacks to us. International Lounge staff experience is also good for your resume when you graduate. Also, our staff is very varied, from Japan, Russia, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and Korea.

6. What qualifications should staff have?
Staff should be at least communicative in English and other languages. Staff also should be friendly and confident, and firm about Lounge policies. The assistants have to be more responsible, work more, and be a graduate student. The assistants also have to manage people and monitor the staff.

7. Do you have something to tell KMU students and foreign students?
We welcome everyone who wants to just come, sit down, relax, and have some coffee. Every student is welcome to come and learn different languages from our language programs, the Language Advisory Support (LAS) and the Korean Language and Culture Exchange (K-LACE) programs. Visit our Instagram account “KMU Lounge” and Facebook page “KMU International Lounge.”