After I finished interviewing and refining my final draft, I asked my interviewees Philip and Jaeho one question via Facebook. “Are you willing to make the same decision to study abroad?” I did not receive their response immediately, but after several days, I received a long text message from both of them. As soon as their serious and sincere response to the question I provided, I thought about the question too. ‘Will I choose again to study in the States without my family for such a long time?’ I also could not answer this question right away.
Philip’s message: Even though I possess Canadian citizenship, I am still a foreigner here in the United States. My skin color looks different from many people here and my mother language is Korean, which is not the language people speak here. Home is the best place. I, indeed, know that, but I need to put myself out of my comfort zone. I also know that it is the best way to challenge myself to grow. Therefore, I would definitely make the same decision: to study in the States. If I could choose again, the decision will not be changed. Because a real life should be about working hard and chasing dreams, rather than staying at where you are and never move on.
Jaeho wrote: I love exposing myself to challenges. All of these hard courses taught by English has definitely stimulated me to grow and demonstrate my ability. By studying in Indiana, I became a very unique and different person. I definitely enjoy solving problems in my life, and I know now I have grown up. If I had to choose again, I will choose the same.
Indeed, being international students in the States is never easy. I felt such a strong empathy as I read through my friends’ texts. What they have said to me was the true thing: You suffer, and you grow up. This interview was such a priceless experience I ever had with my friends.
Philip’s message: Even though I possess Canadian citizenship, I am still a foreigner here in the United States. My skin color looks different from many people here and my mother language is Korean, which is not the language people speak here. Home is the best place. I, indeed, know that, but I need to put myself out of my comfort zone. I also know that it is the best way to challenge myself to grow. Therefore, I would definitely make the same decision: to study in the States. If I could choose again, the decision will not be changed. Because a real life should be about working hard and chasing dreams, rather than staying at where you are and never move on.
Jaeho wrote: I love exposing myself to challenges. All of these hard courses taught by English has definitely stimulated me to grow and demonstrate my ability. By studying in Indiana, I became a very unique and different person. I definitely enjoy solving problems in my life, and I know now I have grown up. If I had to choose again, I will choose the same.
Indeed, being international students in the States is never easy. I felt such a strong empathy as I read through my friends’ texts. What they have said to me was the true thing: You suffer, and you grow up. This interview was such a priceless experience I ever had with my friends.