KSI Korean Cultural Center, Italy

We Major in Korean Studies at University Thanks to Teacher, Chamee Kim.

Teacher Chamee Kim was appointed to KSI Korean Cultural Center, Italy in 2017. Elena Luciani and Angelica Comia Boco, who were high school students at the time, were her first students. After learning Korean for one year, they decided to major in Korean Studies at their university. It was the teacher, Chamee Kim who influenced their decision to study Korean as their major. Elena and Angelica said, “Ms. Kim teaches not only Korean language but also Korean culture during class.” “That’s why we wanted to know more about Korea,” they explained their motivation behind their decision.

In September 2018, both of them were accepted in the department of Korean Studies at University of Rome and expressed their gratitude to their teacher for sharing the charm of Korea and invited her to their university on April 5th. Elena has a great interest in Korean painting and dreams to be a part of future Korea-Italy cultural exchanges in future. Angelica, who speaks four languages, hopes to become a Korean teacher. Chamee says that she will continue to help her students to advance toward their dreams.

▲ (From left) Elena Luciano, Chamee Kim, and Angelica Comia Boco at the entrance of the School of Oriental Studies, University of Rome.

▲ (From left) Elena Luciani and Angelica Comia Boco read books related to Korean culture at the Korean Studies Library in University of Rome.

KSI Korean Cultural Center, UAE

Korean Class has been My Only Joy During Fight Against Cancer.

“When I get home from the hospital after chemotherapy, I would lie in bed. I felt as if I was sinking into my bed endlessly. But when I thought about Korean classes, it made me get up right away.”

Sumaya Aman at KSI Korean Cultural Center, UAE was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2018 and received chemotherapy for six months. Teacher Seonhong Min, who taught Korean to Sumaya in Beginner 1B (Sejong 2) in 2017, met her again in a summer special lecture on TOPIK in July 2018. Seonhong asked her why Sumaya was wearing a headscarf and then found out that she was suffering from a cancer. She was wearing the headscarf as she had lost her hair due to the chemotherapy.

When asked why she came to KSI, Sumaya said, “Studying Korean reinvigorates my depressing life.” Seonhong recalled the time, saying, “It struck me that my class had been a precious time for someone.” Fortunately, after the chemotherapy, Sumaya’s condition improved and she does not need to wear a headscarf any more. Seonhong said, “I will continue to teach Korean that will reinvigorate the lives of the students.”

▲ Teacher Seonhong Min (left) and Sumaya Aman (right) after their Korean class in November 2018

▲ Sumaya Aman (right) and Seonhong Min (left) purchased cabbages and radish to make Kimchi in March 2019

KSI Campinas, Brazil

Brazilian Students’ Affection and Care has been a Big Help to Live in a Foreign Country.

Jeongmi Park, who joined KSI Campinas, Brazil in March 2018, met seven students of Intermediate 1B (Sejong 6). Initially, they met in Intermediate 1B (Sejong 6), continued in Intermediate 2A (Sejong 7) in September 2018 and Intermediate 2B (Sejong 8) until this year. Especially, these seven students have been learning Korean since the KSI opened in 2015. Therefore, they have a great affection for KSI Campinas faculty. Jeongmi said, “It is often called ‘Korean Jeong (affection),’ but 'Brazilian Jeong’ is strong too,” and she share her anecdotes with her Brazilian students.

Bruna Iria Sanches Casarini invited Jeongmi to her family gathering to watch live broadcast of Brazil match at the 2018 World Cup. Luiz Rodolfo Felet Sekijima presented her a blanket when her own blanket got all wet due to a sudden rain. When the class finished at 8:30pm Gabriel Divino would walk her home that it could be dangerous at night. Thanks to the students of Intermediate 2B (Sejong 8), Jeongmi all the way from Korea was able to settle down well in Brazil. She said, "Intermediate 2B class students thank me for teaching them Korean, but I am the one who should thank them.” She also expressed her gratitude and added, “I’m so grateful to share Korean language and culture to such heartwarming students.”

▲ Five students of Intermediate 2B holding their textbook, Sejong 8, March 2019

▲ Family of Bruna Iria Sanches Casarini and Jeongmi Park (second from left) watching live broadcast of Brazil match at the World Cup in June 2018

KSI Tianjin 2, China

Enjoy Beauty of Korean Calligraphy

On April 4th, KSI Tianjin 2, China held a lecture on “Learning Korean via Calligraphy.” Six students from the institute participated in the lecture. Jaenam Oh, a teacher at KSI Tianjin 2, gave a 20-minute introduction on the types of calligraphy, how to use a brush pen and more. Afterwards, the students wrote down beautiful lines from Korean dramas. Xu chun wu, a participant of the lecture, said, “I thought the writing styles of Korean drama titles were pretty and it’s amazing to actually write Hangeul in a similar style.” Another participant, Hou Pei qian, was satisfied with the lecture and said, “I feel as if I’ve become a designer who makes a cover for Korean books.” Jaenam said, “I’m proud to teach the students of KSI Tianjin 2 what I had learned during the training for Korean teachers dispatched abroad in 2018. I will share the beauty of Hangeul to more students in future.”