Foreigner no more
Testimonies on FEU-FERN COLLEGE as a learning institution
by AH RA KIM
Before coming to the Philippines, I had so many concerns and apprehensions. I kept worrying whether coming here for studying would be good for me or not. I was afraid if I could adapt to the new environment of different culture and language. I had to make up my mind. My friends told me not to waste my time. They added that I would better stay in Korea to prepare for the National Academic Aptitude Test. They even gave some discouraging remarks that I would not like it there and it wouldn’t be easy to learn everything, especially English, at my age. These things made me crazy and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
But, I finally decided to come here. I was hopeful that I could gain new experiences and challenges. Eventually, I am here at FEU-FERN College. At first, I has some problems that I had to overcome.
The biggest problem I encountered was English. When I met a foreigner in Korea, I just smiled and ran away because that was the only thing I could do. I couldn’t speak any word in English at that time. That’s why I hard a hard time here in the Philippines. I imagine what if the Filipino students go to Korea, will they encounter the same problem? I can’t understand why people always try to study English. I didn’t understand them exactly. Lately, I badly realized that I really should study in English. I have to communicate with my friends and teachers in FEU-FERN COLLEGE. I am really trying to do my best.
Everybody in my house as well as my neighbors have noticed that I am improving. “You’re doing so great, you’ve changes and improved a lot,” they say. Everybody praised me. I also feel that I’m very proud of myself, too. I have gained more confidence in myself that I feel that I can do everything. My self-confidence helps me to easily adjust life here, especially at FEU-FERN. This institution is the first place where I started my new life. My friends, my teachers, and my classmates are very friendly and approachable. That’s why it is easier to communicate and make good relationship with them. For a foreigner, it’s not easy to approach others right away. But my FEU-FERN COLLEGE family has done it. Despite my poor English, my teachers always teach me with compassion. They’re very kind to me. These things help me a lot. Now, I have many friends and I don’t have serious problem with my conversation. But I’m not going to stop here, I will keep this on. I’ll do my best as soon as I can. I’m very grateful for this school and I’m very pleased to be here with my friends and teachers. And I’d like to say there is nothing we can’t do. It’s not too late to start.