Language and Experience Interview Questions

Kristen Kohles

January 9, 2010

Human Geo

Language and Experience Interview Questions

            For this project, I choose to interview Ho Jin Hong. Ho Jin is from Seoul, Korea. Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. With a population of over ten million, it is one of the largest cities in the world. I asked him some questions over Facebook. Facebook is an easy way for Ho Jin, and other students from all over the world, to connect with their friends from America and their home countries.

1. Was it difficult to learn English?

-Yes, it took me a while. English has so many rules and exceptions for all the words.

2. In what ways have you benefited from learning the language?

-It will benefit in future, when I grow up it makes me to find job easily. I think learning English is precondition now.

3. Do you still speak your primary language at home or with family and friends? Why / Why not?

-Yes because it's more comfortable than speak English.

4. How did you come to go to school in the United States? 

-Because my uncle is living in America and I think I can learn English more quickly in America. 

5. What are some of the differences between an American school and a school in your home country?

-In my home country there are 2 big tests for each semester and few homework, homework doesn't affect the grade and not much school club of sports team but in America has only one big test in one semester but has lots of homework have to involve in school club for college.

6. Do you like John Carroll?

-Kind of, it’s just hard to get used to.

7. What is your favorite part about living in America now?

-None, I miss Korea. It’s hard to change countries and lifestyles.

8. Do you miss Korea, and if so, what do you miss the most?

-Yes, my friends and family, all.

9. What was the hardest part about switching schools and countries?

-Culture and language, mostly culture.

10. Was it easy for you to make friends at John Carroll?

-No it is hard because I feel so different.

11. Are classes and schoolwork hard to understand sometimes?

-Sometimes but I just have to go to the teacher to understand work.

12. What’s your favorite subject to learn at school? And why?

            -Math and because it’s similar to how it was taught in Korea. Also, it is my best subject.

13. How long do you plan on staying in America?
            -I'll leave America after graduate college

14. Do you find yourself getting home-sick a lot?

            -Yes all the time.

15. Does hearing “slang” at school make learning English that much harder?

            -Yes sometimes it confuses me and I don’t know what they are saying.

16.  What/who do you feel helps you get through a day at John Carroll?

            - It is good to know that there are other students from other countries there with me too. I am friends with them because they understand me and how hard it is to fit in at new school, in new country. This is why we get along good, they are my friends.

17. Are there any sports/activities/hobbies you did in Korea that America doesn't have or does differently?

-I did Ping-Pong in Korea there is no Ping-Pong team in here.

18. What are some new experiences you have had in America that don't exist in Korea?
            -Stuck in house.

19. Are you learning any other languages other than English or do you want to learn any other languages?

-I learned Chinese, I want to learn Japanese.

After hearing some of Ho Jin’s responses, it really got me thinking. I couldn’t even imagine leaving America and having to go to school in a strange place, where I know no one. Learning a whole new language wouldn’t even be the toughest part. Culture is the biggest difference between countries. In Korea, housing and dress has a great impact on their culture. In Korea, clothing reflects social rank of a person and his /her class position. In contrast, clothing in America reflects personal identity and unique taste of a person rather than his location in society. Modern Korean food is: rice, beans, barley and seafood. In contrast, American food culture is based on fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King (hamburgers, salads and baked potatoes). There is also a great difference between music, literature and movie industries. Many Koreans prefer comedies and dramas while Americans value thrillers and soap operas. Other things such as hobbies,education, and religion would be hard to convert to in a different Country also. I give the exchange students a lot of credit because living in a different country, with knowing only a few people has to be scary, confusing/frustrating, but at the same time, a life-changing experience.

(Seoul Korea- Night life)

(Seoul Korea)