Student Interview

by Janine Perri, ETA 2015-2016   Originally published by Reach the World, December 4, 2015 Bo Seung is one of my most motivated students and one of the best English speakers in my high school. He’s been involved with several Fulbright-related activities, including YDAC (debate conference) and the Fulbright English Program, during which I had my first teaching experiences during orientation. Here is a brief snapshot into his life. Introduction: Kang Bo Seung (English name, Bosely Kang) is one of the students I teach at Gimhae Jeil High School. He is in the second grade, or the equivalent of a junior in high school. Bo Seung loves learning about new places and cultures and hopes to travel to many places around the world.  I’ll write these responses from his perspective. What do you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?: I eat meals like kimchi. We eat many suppers with rice. What is your house like?: I live in an apartment, but I want to live in a house. There is no garden, but I want one. I have my own room. It is covered in all blue. What chores do you have at home?: I sweep the floors after my mom drains the dust (vacuums). What jobs do your parents have?: My mom works for an insurance company. She is a branch manager of her insurance company. My dad sells cars. What time does school start, and what time do you go home?: School starts at 7:50 AM. It finishes at 10:00 PM. How do you get to school? Are you allowed to go to school by yourself?: I take a private taxi to get to school. When I go home, I take a bus. I do it by myself. Where do you eat lunch? What is your favorite food?: It’s different each day. I eat in the school cafeteria. My favorite food is kimchijjigae (kimchi soup). What language do you speak at school? How do you say “Hello” in your language?: I speak Korean, Chinese and English at school. In Korean, hello is “Annyeonghaseyo.” What are some common kids’ names at your school?: Kim is a really common family name. Lee is really common, too. My family’s name (Kang) is not as common. What subjects do you study in school, and which one is your favorite?: My favorite subject is English and we learn many subjects. For example, I learn mathematics, geology, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, music, art and ethics. What is your homework like?: There is no homework! What do you like to do after school? Do you have a favorite sport or game?: There’s no time, so I do what I can do. I don’t like sports that much, but I like games. My favorite is The Sims. Who is your favorite famous person?: I like Adele! What kinds of music do you listen to?: I like pop, but I don’t like k-pop because the Korean singers don’t have meaningful lyrics. What would you like to be when you grow up?: I want to be a flight attendant for Emirates. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?: I’d like to go to Croatia.I heard that the sunset is really beautiful. What do you know or think about the United States?: They are the first country in the world! What questions do you have for kids in the United States?: How do you study? I know it is different with Korean students and American students.