[467 International's Eye] The Use of AI as an International Student in Korea

   Coming to Korea as an international student, I knew I would be immersed in a culture of advanced technology. However, I did not fully realize how deeply Artificial Intelligence (AI) had woven itself into the fabric of daily life in Korea – and how much it would impact my experiences here.

   My initial exposure to AI in Korea was, like many things, a learning curve. Despite studying Korean beforehand, trying to navigate the university’s online systems, figuring out unfamiliar Korean dishes, or even just understanding the nuances of daily conversations, often felt overwhelming. AI-powered tools like Papago and Google Translate became lifesavers. These tools made my life significantly easier. It felt like having a personal assistant who never got tired of helping. It was through AI-powered translation apps that I started to appreciate its practical applications. Those apps became essential tools, bridging the language gap and helping me feel more connected to my new environment.

   Before coming to Korea, I attended a three-year Diploma program back home in Malaysia. I still remember how much work we had to do when it came to researching on the Internet, and how much longer it would take to finish an assignment as AI back then was not as well developed as it is now. Catching deadlines with work piling up and still having to keep things thorough was not an easy feat. Now, even just the thought of AI suddenly disappearing makes me shudder in fear.

   The academic environment in Korean universities is very deeply engaged with AI. It is often used as a tool to assist in many aspects of the learning process in some English Translation and Interpretation department course modules. Beyond the general translation tools, AI offers specific resources that enhance my understanding and skills in both language and interpretation. For example, AI-powered machine translation tools provide high-quality translations, allowing me to analyse sentence structures and linguistic nuances across languages. Furthermore, AI aids in preparing for interpretations by quickly translating materials and creating glossaries, which is particularly useful for complex or technical subjects. These technologies act as partners, helping me refine my understanding and improve the efficiency of my work.

   Of course, there are challenges. In my case, as an English Interpretation major, I have to be cautious about relying too heavily on AI tools because, while they are excellent for efficiency and accuracy, they sometimes miss the subtleties of cultural context or tone—the elements that are critical in interpretation work. Human interpreters are irreplaceable when it comes to nuanced cultural understanding but AI’s help in handling repetitive or technical tasks is still needed and can allow interpreters to focus on delivering more contextually accurate translations.

   The competitive nature of the Korean academic environment can be intense, and the language barrier sometimes makes it difficult to fully grasp complex concepts. However, I have found that the collaborative spirit within the international student community alongside the AI tools helps us overcome these challenges. We support each other, share resources, and work together to navigate the complexities of studying in a foreign country.

   In short, AI has become an integral part of my experience navigating life in Korea. It is not a magic bullet, but it has become a valuable companion, smoothing out communication hiccups and enhancing my skills in ways I had not imagined. It has made my life as an international student easier and has opened my eyes to new possibilities for my future career. AI is not just a tool; it is a partner in navigating this exciting and, ever-evolving world, and I am eager to see where it takes me next.