Maiti Sourabhi, a learner of KSI Korean Cultural Center India
Maiti Sourabhi, a learner of KSI Korean Cultural Center India is the first-prize winner of ‘Korean Speech Contest of King Sejong Institute 2018’. As a winner of the contest, she is taking a language training at Seoul National University for three months from June 3rd. Sourabhi who will be back to India after the training is finished on August 9th, is enjoying her life in Korea. King Sejong Institute Foundation has met Sourabhi who is passionate just like the heat of August.
1. Hello, Maiti Sourabhi. It has been two months since you started studying in Seoul National University. How is your life in Korea?
Hello! I am Maiti Sourabhi who is taking a language training at Seoul National University. I am so sad that I have to go back as I gradually get used to my life in Korea. However, I have a plan to come back to Korea next year. I think that the last three months were the practice. Especially, I was happy for taking a trip to Jeju Island and Andong. Before going back home, I am going to watch Korean films in theater as many as I want.
2. When you said that you would go to Korea for language training, what was the response of your family or friends?
When I said that I would go to Korea for language training, all of my parents, elder sister, and friends were happy. Since I came to Korea, I call my parents every day. My parents want to take a trip to Korea after hearing a lot about Korea from me.
3. Sourabhi, you can speak Korean really well! What is your secret to study Korean language?
The secret of my Korean language ability is “speaking Korean without feeling afraid of being wrong” because the most important thing for studying foreign languages is ‘practice’. Most of the students studying Korean language like Korean films or dramas. So do I. My Korean language ability got improved a lot when I started watching my favorite Korean entertainment programs or dramas without subtitles.
4. You met the President Moon-Jae-In and the First Lady Kim, Jeong-Sook at the ‘celebration for Hangeul Proclamation Day and the 600th anniversary of the enthronement of King Sejong’ in 2018, and the First Lady Kim, Jeong-Sook again at ‘The Night of Exchanges for the World Korean Educators’ this year. You have met them two times already. How do you feel?
It was unbelievable. It was such an honorable and unforgettable experience. When I met the President and the First Lady last year, we had lunch and visited the Royal Tomb of King Sejong together. It was an interesting and valuable moment. And last month, the King Sejong Institute Foundation gave me a great chance to see the First Lady again. I was touched by the First Lady who remembered me and also worked hard to spread Korean language to the world.
5. What are the meanings of King Sejong Institute and Korean language to you?
When I felt depressed, I got comfort a lot from Korean language. And the King Sejong Institute gave me a chance to learn Korean language for the first time. So, the King Sejong Institute and Korean language could be the last rope of my life.
6. We heard that your dream is to become a Korean language teacher. What kind of teacher do you want to be to Korean language learners?
Just as I have found my dream through Korean language, I want to become a teacher who can find the learners’ dreams. My dream is to become a Korean language teacher helpful for the lives of learners.
