Coming to America is exciting for any international student, but coming to Emporia can be ideal for students who want to focus on their studies.
“I had a teacher who went to school at KU,” said Angelina Ko, 18, from South Korea. “So I always knew about Kansas. He always said this was the best place to study because there’s nothing else to do. It’s easier to focus here.”
Ko, who’s real name is You-eun, said she’s had to make some changes to adapt to Kansas, the first being her name. And while there is less to do here than in her hometown of Seoul, South Korea, she seems to be finding plenty to keep her busy — starting with her studies.
Majoring in computer science, Ko said most of her classes require a lot of reading and writing. As she adjusts to the language, it takes her longer to tackle simple homework assignments other classmates finish in minutes.
“Reading takes so long,” she said. “I have to look up almost every word.”
Exams can also take her longer. She took her first one of the semester on Thursday.
“The American students go through exams so quickly,” she said. “I get it done in the time allowed, but not as quick as them. The international students are always the last ones done.”
Ko said her goal would be to move back to South Korea and work for a large computer corporation like IBM, although going back to South Korea is not a definite plan. Ko moved to Emporia in January. She spent a semester here adapting to the town, the people and the language. She started her first classes this semester.
“I came here with no college experience,” she said. “But my teacher had told me that people here would be nicer. Kansas people will talk slower and help me understand. If I was in New York, no one would take the time to help me understand.”
Although she said people have been very kind, she can sometimes get lonely. The quietness of Emporia seems to have its perks and disadvantages.
“It’s so quiet here,” she said. “But sometimes I go outside and there’s no one. I can’t believe it. I wonder where the people are.”
But one discovery has Ko excited to go outside. The sky. She said her favorite place to go is the swing outside Morse Hall. She and her friends usually sit there and enjoy the lake view.
“In Korea there are so many high buildings,” she said. “You can’t see the sky. Here you see sky. I love being able to see that. It’s so beautiful.”
Large buildings may be what Ko’s friend ChangJoo Kim is missing. Kim, 19, of Pohang, South Korea, came to Emporia last year, but before Emporia she was in San Diego.
“I liked California, better than here,” Kim said. “I came here and was a little disappointed.”
Kim came to Emporia in January and then went home for the summer. To her surprise, she found herself thinking of Emporia over her summer break. That’s when she said she knew the town was starting to grow on her.
“It’s getting better,” she said. “I like it more and more. I was surprised when I was back in Korea. I started to miss Emporia.”
Kim and Ko find comfort in the fact they are not alone in their struggles adjusting to small-town life. The ESU campus has more than 50 students from South Korea and all are members of a club that meets twice a month.
“They were helpful when we first came here,” Ko said. “They tell you where to go and buy things or where to eat.”
Without a car, the girls say they are confined mostly to the downtown area. They enjoy the shops along Commercial Street. Ko said her favorite place to go is Wings. Kim said she loves Club 707 because she likes to dance.
“The dancing and the music are fun,” she said. “We’ve made friends there.”
Ko said some of her other usual stops included Reeble’s Country Mart and the gas station. She also enjoys studying at the Inner Bean coffee shop near campus.
“Wal-Mart is the best place,” said Kim. “You can find absolutely everything you’re looking for there.”
“But we never get to go,” said Ko. “We don’t have any way to get there.”
Both Kim and Ko will be here for four years as they finish their degrees. Kim said she will return to South Korea to visit on holidays and school breaks. Ko will remain in Kansas her entire college career. She said her parents may come to visit in a few years, which means she will be without family for some time.
“When I decided to come here, I made that commitment and I will follow through,” she said. “I have to. Yes, it’s sad. I already miss my family, but this is what I have to do. I make new family here with friends.”
That shouldn’t be hard as both Kim and Ko say they’ve already made close friendships, starting with each other.
“We’re more social than traditional Koreans,” Kim said. “Traditional Koreans are quiet, and they study all the time.”
“We’re a little crazier,” Ko said.
But being ‘crazier’ in Korea may make them right at home in Emporia. After all, the girls have already found they’re more similar to the U.S. students than they first thought. Since living in Kansas, they’ve discovered the fascinating world of U.S. TV including the Food Channel, MTV and shows like “Friends” and “Sex in the City.” And as for local cuisine, they admit they can’t get enough.
“I gained so much weight,” said Kim, while laughing.
“We love American food,” added Ko.
“The cheesecake and cookies and sweets,” Kim said. “I can’t stop myself from eating it.”