Learning to live in America

Jake Kang adjusts to the U.S. after coming from Korea

India Williams
Staff Writer
April 22, 2004, Page 2

For Jake Kang, a foreign exchange student for the Midwest Institute for International Studies, “Challenge Yourself” is harder to say then to do. Born in Korea, the shy Asian student came to the United States to attend Doane in hopes of learning how to speak, read and write in English.
Confused on whether to introduce himself as Mingu Kang or his American name Jake Kang, he finally decided on Jake.
“My father told me to change my name to Jake, short for Jacob, because Mingu would be too hard for Americans to pronounce,” Kang said.
His name wasn’t the only problem Kang had trouble explaining. His age caused some confusion as well. According to the United States, Kang is 25 years old, but in Korea he’s 26.
“As soon as you’re born in Korea you’re a year old, not a day old like the U.S.,” Kang said. “Even though I’m here I still go by my Korea age.”
Upon his arrival on Jan. 31, Kang was sent to live with Cristina Miller, a host mother of the institution for more than eight years. He immediately started his speaking, reading and writing classes.
“It’s very stressful because I had to start from scratch,” Kang said. “Everything is just so new to me.”
Kang said he knew his classes wouldn’t be easy, but he did not think he would have to study every minute of the day.
“He [Kang] puts studying before everything,” Miller said. “He tries so hard to accomplish what we [Americans] know in one year.”
Finding time to relax is very rare for him, but, he fits it in his schedule.
Kang said it was hard for him to feel welcome on campus at first because he felt like students were ignoring him.
“I would say hi and they would give me a dirty look and keep walking,” Kang said.
Before he could decide to ban himself from the outside world, he was asked to attend the Fellowship of Christian Athletics meetings on Thursdays with a friend.
“Even though I’m Catholic, I don’t mind attending the meetings because it gives me a chance to meet new people,” Kang said.
Besides attending the FCA meetings Kang also enjoys jogging, cutting his hair and watching television.
For many students in college being homesick is a common thing, but not for Kang. He has been here three months and has nine more to go, but Kang said the only thing he misses about home is the food.
“All the cafeteria serves are potatoes,” Kang said. “They’re fried, baked or mixed with something else and I’m asking myself, ‘What else can I eat.’”
With plans on becoming an electrician and visiting Los Angeles after he leaves, Kang plans to continue studying hard and learning as much as he can.
“Everyone here is so friendly and it’s going to be hard to leave,” Kang said. “You never know, I may just come back.”