The CBT reporters met exchange students Kritsanasang Narawadee(’17, Dept. of History) and Phothong Thonthep(’17, Dept. of Korean Education) from Thailand and heard their stories about campus life in Korea. Through this interview, we really hope that exchange students will have more chances to communicate with Koreans. -Ed.

1. Please introduce yourself.

  Na-ra: Hello, my name is Kritsanasang Narawadee, I’m from Thailand, and my Korean name is Na-ra. I’m interested in East Asia, so I am majoring in Asian Studies in Silpakorn University in Thailand. I came to Korea as an exchange student to study about Korean history and to step toward my dream of becoming a Korean historian. Now, I’m a student of the Dept. of History in CBNU.
  Dong-hun: Hi, my name is Phothong Thonthep, and my Korean name is Dong-hun. When I was in middle school, I became interested in Korea after listening to K-pop songs. Since that time, I have wanted to know not only about K-pop songs but also Korea, so I am majoring in Korean in Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok, Thailand. Now, I’m studying in the Dept. of Korean Education as a CBNU exchange student.

2. What are the differences between Korea and Thailand?

  Na-ra, Dong-hun: The university students in Thailand wear school uniforms. The uniforms of the university students don’t have a big difference among the universities, so they distinguish themselves with unique buttons on the uniforms, badges or belts. Also, there are no dormitory cafeterias. Instead, the universities in Thailand have more school cafeterias, such as school cafeterias for departments, than the universities in Korea.

3. Are you close with the exchange students from other countries?

  Na-ra, Dong-hun: Yes. Recently, we went to Andong with Malaysian, Taiwanese and Chinese friends by renting a car. We became familiar by having regular meetings with exchange students in the CBNU Office of International Services and by doing group tasks in class for foreign students. We met a Chinese friend, who is a graduate student, at the CBNU dance club Siva. Interestingly, we are exchange students from various countries, but we communicate in the Korean language.

4. What are the pros and cons about attending CBNU as exchange students?

  Na-ra, Dong-hun: The landscape and the overall mood of CBNU are beautiful. Also, programs for exchange students in the CBNU Office of International Services are good, so I can experience various kinds of things like guitar class and meeting other foreign exchange students. However, it is regrettable that foreigners don’t have many chances to meet Koreans. Therefore, I want to go on a school trip with Koreans and other foreign students. By doing that, we could get close with Koreans. In the future, I hope to have many opportunities to meet Korean students.

5. Lastly, do you want to say anything to CBNU students?

  Na-ra, Dong-hun: Please don’t be afraid of us just because we are foreigners. Exchange students really want to become friends with Korean students. Also, please understand us if sometimes we don’t fully understand Korean. Also, even if exchange students make you feel awkward somehow, don’t wait for us to make the first move. Finally, I want to thank every member of CBNU for making happy memories with us. Thank you for giving us a chance to speak about Thailand and the school life of international students. From now on, we hope that exchange students will interact with Korean students more and more.

By Kim Chae-hyeon
ch38@cbnu.ac.kr