[463 Interview] Journey of Learning Korean with Experiences at DIKL

   "Dongguk Institute of Korean Language” began offering Korean language education in 2002 and has made significant strides since then. Notably, through systematic learning programs for language learners and diverse cultural experiences, it has worked diligently to enable foreign students to effectively learn Korean and assimilate into university and social life. Through interviews, the Dongguk Post aims to help prospective students of the Dongguk Institute of Korean Language and foreign students at the university address their questions and gain indirect experience with studying Korean and living in Korea.

Q1. Please introduce yourself

M: Hello, I am Margarida Sergio from Portugal. I am taking the 6th-level course at the Dongguk Institute of Korean Language (DIKL).

S: My name is Sophie Chuine from France, and I am also taking the 6th-level course.

Q2. Why did you choose the Dongguk Institute of Korean Language (DIKL)?

M: I was studying at Sejong Institute in Portugal and my teacher told me that there was an opportunity to study at Dongguk University, and I thought it was a good offer, so I decided to study at DIKL.

S: My friend enrolled in the DIKL two years ago, and that is how I got to know about it. After checking it out, I was satisfied, so I enrolled. At that time, I could not get a student visa because I had not gotten my high school certificate yet, but DIKL allows students to enroll on a tourist visa, so I was able to come.

Q3. What inspired you to learn Korean?

M: Actually, I was interested in Korean culture, and after meeting a Korean friend in Portugal, he recommended Sejong Institute in Portugal, so I tried it once and became very interested in it, and I have been studying it ever since.

S: I have been interested in Korea, especially the Korean Wave, since I was in middle school, so about five years ago I started learning Korean through books, and then I took a class offered by a company in my hometown.

Q4. Can you describe the activities you do at DIKL?

M&S: We usually do activities that show us different aspects of Korean culture, such as making traditional food, writing and hanging our wishes, going to a lantern festival, and writing poems. For example, I recently participated in a parade for Buddha’s Birthday as a fellow Korean student and it was very interesting even though it was raining a lot, and we also struck bells on Buddha’s Birthday, which is a very different culture from Portugal, so I learned a little bit more about Buddhism and enjoyed the activity. I also went to the Korean History Museum to read and learn more about the history of Korea, and these are examples of activities that you can do at DIKL. You can also go to museums and learn a lot about the history of Korea.

Q5. What is the most memorable class in DIKL?

M: I recently took a cooking class and that was my most memorable course because I am not a good cook, but I wanted to learn Korean food, so it was a fun course. We went to Gangnam with a bunch of classes from the DIKL and had an opportunity to experience cooking traditional Korean food such as Japchae and Gimbap.

S: I have gone to temple stays two times in Korea, and it was very interesting. In France, and in Europe overall, Buddhism is not widely known, so the temple stay experiences were fun and I could learn a lot through them. I was able to listen to the monks talk about the history of Buddhism, and I meditated.

Q6. What is the most difficult thing about learning Korean?

M: I think the most difficult thing for me is speaking, because I did not practice much in Portugal, so my Korean vocabulary is a bit lacking here. It is difficult to use all those different vocabulary words.

S: I still do not have enough vocabulary, so sometimes I cannot explain some stuff precisely in Korean. Also, my biggest difficulty is that French grammar and Korean grammar are completely different. It is okay in my head, but when I talk, it is difficult. In my daily life, when I go to a cafe and order food or order food at a restaurant, I do not mind basic things like that, but sometimes when I go to the foreigner center to deal with visas, its employees do not speak English very well, so I have to talk to them in Korean, and since we do not speak Korean very well yet, so it is awkward. I think it is difficult when I have to deal with complicated things like going to the bank.

Q7. Can you give tips for learning Korean?

M: I have said this a lot with my friends, and I think it is the most helpful method, in which you describe Korean vocabulary in Korean you know instead of translating it into native language. Through this method, you can review the words you already know. Also, I think it is crucial to learn Hanja, which are Chinese Characters behind the Korean words because they greatly influence the meaning of the vocabulary.

S: I think reading books and new articles helps a bunch, especially reading them out loud. Personally, I also find music helpful. Listening to the music of your target language is not only entertaining but also helpful for enhancing your listening skills.

Q8. What is a memorable experience at Dongguk University?

M: Recently, we went to a lantern parade on Buddha’s birthday, and it was very fun, even though it was raining a lot. As Sophie said, there are not many activities related to Buddhism in Europe, so it would be good for other students to try it.

S: It is fun to join clubs at Dongguk University, for example, Haram. It was valuable because I could talk to many people in the clubs.

Q9. What is the most interesting thing about Korean culture?

M: I think the most interesting thing about Korean culture is the Korean language! The more I learn Korean, the better view I get on the culture as well. Thus, I get to enjoy the experiences I encounter on a deeper level, and the cycle goes on. When I was stressed out in Portugal, the way I usually relieve myself is by studying Korean, because I enjoy studying Korean a lot. I also think the Korean language has a huge role in maintaining and preserving Korea’s culture. Living here in Korea, I can feel the bond between the language and the culture, and acknowledge its importance.

S: The most interesting thing about Korean culture is the hanok and the palaces. I love visiting French castles and it is fascinating to see the differences between French and Korean traditional palaces.

Q10. What is your favorite place or food in Korea?

M: Since I came to Korea, I have already been to many places and eaten a lot of Korean food, so it is hard to choose a favorite, but when I first came to Korea, my Korean friend picked me up from the airport and we had jjimdak for lunch, and it was so delicious and it was a good memory, so I think it became my favorite food. When my parents came to Korea, we went for a walk on the Han River together and I really liked it.

S: I have many favorite places in Korea, but my favorite places are Seokchon Lake in Seoul, Oido island, Gangneung, and Yangyang. I also went to Busan for a two-day trip and it has a very peaceful atmosphere compared to Seoul, so I hope to go back.

Q11. Are you satisfied with living in Korea?

M: Living in Korea is incredibly convenient. It suits my lifestyle much better than Portugal. Although there are times when it is challenging, I still enjoy my life here overall.

S: I have been living in Korea for almost three years now, and there are many pros and cons. The best aspects are the convenience and safety. On the downside, being a foreigner in Korean society can sometimes be difficult. For example, making friends can be challenging, and sometimes, when I try to order at a cafe, the staff speaks to me in English. Even though I respond in Korean, they continue speaking in English.

Q12. Do you have any personal goals that you would like to accomplish in Korea in the future?

M: I used to work as an animator in Portugal, and I think there are more opportunities for animation in Korea, so I would love to be able to work as an animator here, or maybe take some classes related to film.

S: I am just going back to France for a while now for money and a visa, but I am planning to go back next year or in 2026 to study theater and musical theater. I think that musical theater majors are not that good in France, so I can get a better job if I study in Korea.