First Encounter with Korean

I'll never forget my first encounter with Korean. It was a weekend afternoon in my college dorm room, right after I finished watching "My Love from the Star." With Professor Do and Cheon Song-yi's dialogues echoing in my mind, I lay on my bed scrolling through my phone when a thought suddenly struck me: how wonderful it would be if I could understand what they were saying. This idea, once sparked, instantly ignited my desire to learn.

I immediately opened the app store and searched through several Korean learning apps. After some comparison, I downloaded "Duolingo" and "HelloTalk," both well-reviewed applications. At that time, I had no idea this decision would change my life's trajectory so significantly.

The first thing I did every morning was open the apps to complete daily tasks, and I would solve a few more exercises before bed. I remember lying on my bed, practicing pronunciation while staring at my phone screen: "ㄱ、ㄴ、ㄷ、ㄹ..." My roommates found it quite amusing and would occasionally join in, filling our dorm room with our awkward Korean pronunciations.

Embarking on the Journey

Beginning Stage

The initial learning process wasn't easy. The Korean alphabet system is completely different from Chinese, and it took me several days just to memorize the pronunciation of these letters. I set myself a strict study schedule: wake up at 6 AM to spend an hour memorizing vocabulary and grammar points; review the morning's content during lunch break; practice listening exercises before bed.

I bought several Korean textbooks, wearing out copies of "Korean Basic Course" and "Yonsei Korean." To remember similar pronunciations, I made strange markings in my notebook. For instance, to distinguish between "ㄱ" and "ㄲ," I drew a small chicken and a rooster since the latter requires more forceful pronunciation.

During that time, my phone's gallery was filled with photos of Korean study notes. Whenever I encountered unfamiliar grammar points, I would search for related example sentences online, record them, and practice repeatedly. Though the process was difficult, mastering each new concept brought me immense joy.

Breaking Through Plateaus

After about three months of studying, I noticed my progress starting to slow. Although I could understand simple Korean articles and speak basic daily phrases, something seemed missing. Learning solely through apps and textbooks no longer seemed sufficient.

Just as I was worrying about this, I saw a notice for a Korean exchange student program on the school bulletin board. It was a one-semester program in collaboration with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. My heart raced when I saw this announcement. Although I had never considered studying abroad before, this opportunity came at the perfect time.

I immediately began preparing application materials. Besides basic transcripts and personal statements, Korean language proficiency proof was required. During that period, I spent almost all my spare time preparing application materials. Every night after writing my personal statement, I would read it aloud in Korean, both practicing pronunciation and ensuring fluency.

Life as an International Student

First Arrival in Seoul

Finally, after multiple rounds of selection, I successfully secured this valuable study opportunity. I remember feeling both excited and nervous when the plane landed at Incheon International Airport. Although I had studied Korean for some time in China, the prospect of actually living in Korea made me somewhat anxious.

My first convenience store experience left a deep impression. I wanted to buy a bottle of water and some snacks, and practiced what to say several times in my head. When I entered the store, my palms were sweating. When I stuttered out "How much is this" in Korean, the clerk understood immediately and enthusiastically told me about ongoing promotions. At that moment, I felt like I had achieved something special and was incredibly happy.

During my first week after settling in, I encountered many interesting situations. For instance, when ordering in the cafeteria, I meant to say "no spicy" but due to incorrect tones, said "extra spicy" instead, resulting in a meal that left me sweating. Another time at the subway station, I asked for directions, and a kind elderly man explained in Korean for quite a while. Though I only understood half, being able to engage in such communication gave me a great sense of achievement.

Language Progress

The course schedule at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies was very intensive. Besides major courses, I also participated in Korean intensive classes specifically designed for international students. Every day from 8 AM to 3 PM was packed with classes, followed by extensive homework and preparation tasks in the evening.

What delighted me most was that the Korean classes were taught entirely in Korean. At first, I was almost in a daze, having to listen intently to barely keep up with what the teacher was saying. But as time passed, I gradually found myself understanding more and more. By mid-semester, I could comfortably follow classroom content and even discuss issues with classmates in Korean.

Classroom progress was just one aspect; the daily little moments were the real key to improving my Korean proficiency. My roommate was a local Seoul resident with a very outgoing personality. She often took me to cafes and restaurants near campus, teaching me many everyday expressions not found in textbooks. For instance, in Korean cafes, "iced Americano" can be shortened to "아아" - these practical everyday Korean phrases fascinated me.

I remember watching a movie with Korean classmates once. It was a Korean comedy without Chinese subtitles, and while I was initially worried about understanding it, I found I could not only comprehend most of the dialogue but also laugh along with other audience members. At that moment, I truly felt my progress.

Learning Insights

Practice is King

During my time in Korea, I deeply understood the meaning of "practice makes perfect." While in China, I had always focused on memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules, but after arriving in Korea, I discovered that the most important aspect of language learning is having the courage to speak.

I set a rule for myself: have meaningful conversations with at least three Korean people every day. This rule forced me to actively seek communication opportunities. I often attended language exchange events organized by the school, where I met many Korean friends. We studied, ate, and shopped together, chatting in Korean. Although I often made mistakes, my Korean friends were very understanding and patiently corrected my errors.

On weekends, I would participate in various club activities. I joined the school's photography club, learning many technical terms during photo shoots. Once when we went to Namsan to photograph night scenes, everyone discussed composition and lighting along the way. Though I couldn't understand all the technical vocabulary, I learned a lot in such an environment.

Cultural Understanding

During my time in Korea, I gradually realized that language learning isn't just about mastering vocabulary and grammar; more importantly, it's about understanding the country's culture. Korea's age culture left a deep impression on me. In Korean, different honorific levels must be used when speaking to people of different ages, reflecting not just language rules but Korean society's hierarchical concepts.

My Korean friends taught me that in Korea, you address older males as "오빠" and older females as "언니" - these terms don't just indicate age differences but also express a kind of closeness. At first, I often confused which terms to use, but gradually got used to it, and now I can naturally use these addresses.

Food culture is also an important part of language learning. In Korea, "Have you eaten?" ("밥 먹었어요?") is one of the most common greetings. This simple greeting reflects Koreans' emphasis on food and their warmth towards others. Every time I ate with Korean friends, I learned many food-related expressions, like how besides "맛있다" (delicious), you can also say "대박" (awesome).

Achievements

My six-month study experience in Korea brought me gains far beyond language improvement. First, in terms of language proficiency, I progressed from stumbling through simple conversations to being able to communicate fluently in daily life and even participate in some professional discussions. At the end of the semester, I successfully passed the TOPIK test at the intermediate-high level, a score that made me particularly proud.

Besides language improvement, I also gained precious friendships. The Korean classmates who studied with me have become my best friends. We often keep in touch through social media, sharing our recent life updates. They say my Korean has improved greatly, and now I speak as naturally as a "Seoul person."

Most importantly, this experience gave me more confidence in myself. I discovered that nothing is impossible to learn if you have determination. Looking back now, that person who studied Korean while staring at their phone screen in the dorm was really quite remarkable.

Experience Sharing

The key to learning a language well is maintaining continuous learning motivation. For me, the initial motivation might have come from my love of Korean dramas, but as I delved deeper, this motivation gradually transformed into a true understanding of Korean culture and love for the language itself.

My learning methods also continuously adjusted. While studying in China, I mainly relied on apps and textbooks, but after arriving in Korea, I discovered that creating actual language environments was the most effective learning method. Even after returning to China, I maintain a Korean language environment through various means:

Every morning after waking up, I write a diary in Korean, recording the previous day's events. This not only practices writing but also helps me apply newly learned vocabulary and grammar. Before bed, I watch an episode of Korean drama or variety show, now rarely needing subtitles.

I also maintain the habit of video chatting with Korean friends. I talk with at least one or two friends weekly, catching up on recent events, which helps maintain language vitality. Sometimes we agree on a topic, like recent movies or books we've read, making these exchanges both language practice and horizon-broadening.

Future Outlook

This Korean study abroad experience has sparked a greater interest in language learning for me. My current goal is to continue improving my Korean to the level where I can engage in professional field discussions. Additionally, I want to try learning Japanese. While in Korea, I discovered many similarities between Korean and Japanese, and mastering Korean grammar systems would greatly help in learning Japanese.

I'm also considering whether I could work in a Korean-related field in the future. With increasingly frequent cultural exchanges between China and Korea, the demand for Korean-proficient talent continues to grow. Perhaps I could try becoming a Korean translator or working in a Korean company.

Most importantly, this experience taught me that language learning isn't just about mastering a communication tool, but opening a window to understanding the world. Through learning Korean, I met many friends from different countries and understood different cultural concepts, all of which have made my world richer and more colorful.

Words of Encouragement

If you're hesitating about whether to start learning Korean, my advice is: just go for it! Beginning is always the hardest part, but once you take that first step, you've already surpassed many people. The language learning process can indeed be difficult, with various challenges and plateaus, but when you can freely express your thoughts in this language, understand Korean drama dialogues, and have deep conversations with Korean friends about life, all the effort becomes worthwhile.

Remember, everyone's learning method is different. Some people prefer systematic grammar learning, while others prefer discovering patterns through practice; some prefer consistent daily study, while others prefer intensive learning periods. Finding your own rhythm is important; don't blindly follow others' learning methods.

Finally, I want to say that language learning is a process that requires patience. Like my days in Korea, every bit of progress was hard-earned, but it was these accumulating bits of progress that brought me to my current level. So, don't rush, maintain your enthusiasm, persist, and you will surely see your progress.

Believe in yourself and bravely embark on this Korean learning journey! It will be a challenging but rewarding wonderful experience.