Seoul: My Life’s Turning Point
Svitlana Lishchyshyna
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Greetings! I am currently majoring in Korean studies at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in Ukraine. The KF, a key institution fostering international students of Korean studies and promoting cultural exchange, is particularly meaningful to me. When I was forced to stop my Korean language studies due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war, the KF provided the last and only hope—an opportunity for me to continue my studies with fresh determination—by offering its Korean Language Training Fellowship.
It is no exaggeration to say that winning the 2023 Fellowship was the greatest turning point in my life. While studying in Korea, I could personally experience that the KF is making a huge, societal contribution by enabling numerous people interested in Korea, including students, to reach their goals. Before coming to Korea, I was both excited and jittery about living in the country; despite having studied Korean for four years, I had never been to Korea. I was worried that I would have a tough time adapting to life there as it could turn out to be vastly different from what I had imagined. I was also afraid that I would have trouble communicating due to insufficient language skills and experience. However, I made up my mind to positively accept the fellowship—a golden opportunity for me—to take possible failures as a matter of course, and to open my heart up to the new world called Korea, as I learned about its culture firsthand. Letting my fears and anxiety ruin my impressions and memories of Korea was the last thing I wanted. The KF staff encouraged me with much-needed support and consultations related to my entry visa and other procedural matters.
Six months have passed since beginning my life in Korea. As I look back upon the half-year, I seem to have learned much more through the KF Fellowship than I initially expected. Thanks to the fellowship, I could go on numerous study tours and have cultural experiences that greatly assisted me in my understanding of Korean culture. I could also immensely improve my Korean language skills, as I got along with fellows from diverse countries, students at the language institute, and Korean collegians. In addition to learning about Korean culture, I have gained knowledge about how to respect and understand the cultures of other students.
The best thing about the KF Fellowship is the chance to foster an international perspective through communication with fellow students in Korean and enhancing understanding of and sympathy with other cultures. I also found my desire for improvement and self-realization strengthened as I met other recipients of the KF Fellowship who were quite fluent in Korean. Another merit of the KF Fellowship is that it not only offers classes and participatory activities but also the chance to experience daily life in Korea. This, alongside the Korean language education, lead to daily personal growth through objective self-reflection.
The new living environment I experienced in Korea affected me tremendously, improving my studies and nudging my passive character in a better direction. Living in Korea has highlighted such values for self-realization as communication skills, initiative and drive, and the power of execution. I believe all of these are essential for me should I wish to mature into a highly sought-after person and prepare for the future.
While appreciating my days in Korea, I have gradually come to the realization that the KF selects people with potential rather than those who appear perfect, to offer the former motivation and practical opportunities for growth. I am confident that the knowledge and experience earned through the KF Fellowship will form a solid foundation for my future and I feel happy and grateful for having received such a precious gift. I would like to work even harder in the days ahead and share what I have learned in Korea with others. Thank you.
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
KOREA FOUNDATION
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