By Honorary Reporter Yoselin Hernandez from Costa Rica
Photos = Maria Paz Murillo

Maria Paz Murillo is an international student in Seoul from Costa Rica. The following is an interview with her on her experience in Korea. The interview was conducted by paper on September 1st.

Please introduce yourself.
My name is Maria Paz Murillo and I'm from Costa Rica. I am an undergraduate student in Seoul and came here in 2018. My major is Chinese at Korea University, and I think that this subject helps students build the necessary skills to understand and communicate in Mandarin.

Why did you choose Korea?
I want to become an interpreter fluent in four languages: Spanish, English, Mandarin and Korean. I find great joy helping people understand each other, especially those from cultures as distant as those in Asia and Latin America. I wanted to come and get firsthand experience in Korea and its people so that I could eventually create relationships beneficial to people back home as well as here.

What was the process to apply for a scholarship like?
Korea University requires an online application and other required documents sent by mail to Korea. Students must submit an introductory essay, letters of recommendation from high school teachers, a Test of English as a Foreign Language score that meets the university's requirement and transcripts from high school or other schools attended. 

How is life in Korea for you? Have you had any problems?
Korea is an extremely convenient country with easy access to transportation, delivery and shopping. The country is also safe and public security is great. The biggest problem I had was learning Korean, which was truly a challenge. It's worse if you're majoring in Korean but cannot understand it in the classroom.

Any advice for those also aspiring to study in Korea?
I highly recommend to anyone wishing to do undergraduate studies in Korea to get at least a Level 2 score on the Test of Proficiency in Korean, or TOPIK. And make sure that your major is taught in a language that you understand because most classes here are taught in Korean. In the case of business majors, however, theirs are in English.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from around the world who share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.