Presenters 발표자

I decided to transfer to UH Manoa because of the Korean Program that was offered here. Joining the Flagship was the best way to get a chance to follow my dream. For advice that I would give other Flagship students would be do not expect it to be easy. The presentations that I made the past year were more intense than any other presentation I had done before. There are many expectations to be met which can be difficult, but you learn much about how to make a professional PowerPoint and presentation. The need for perfection is something that is prioritized as well. The good thing about Flagship is the opportunities given to do well. However, to be granted these opportunities, you need to keep on track and work hard.

The process of creating, editing, and working on my presentations has been very detailed. From outlines to audio recordings of practicing my presentation, a lot of work and help has gone into it. Seeing a topic grow into a PPT, which is accompanied by audio recordings and edits allowed me to see how much I have improved. It has helped me to see different areas where I am weak and strong. Every Korean teacher, staff, and fellow student has always encouraged me and pushed me to do my best. I am reminded every time I go to class, tutoring, work on assignments, etc. that I am living my dream in a program that will help me succeed.

I joined Korean Language Flagship to perfect my Korean skills. Being in Korean Flagship made me realize how beautiful Korean language is. There are numerous expressions and words to express or explain a point. I believe through reading and building vocabulary, grammar can improve. Also, through the presentation experience, I learned new vocabulary and expressions.  Lastly, I would tell my cohort students to read extensively. 

In Korean courses I took, we were required to present a lesson in our textbook. We put in the content in the textbook but we also included some research contents. Since we have to read carefully and also research on our own, I think this helped us with preparing for bigger presentations. For the Flagship students, there was the Green Ideas presentation, where we had to do research on a topic and present. We also have the Flagship Student Conference coming up, and this is also research heavy. So I am glad I prepared myself through the course presentations.

After deciding to change my major to Korean, a subject I was passionate about, I wanted to find the best place to study. I did a lot of research, and finally I found the Korean Language Flagship at UHM. It is the best Korean program in the United States. Therefore, it was the obvious choice for me, so I applied and joined the Korean Language Flagship soon thereafter.

For me, giving presentations is stressful and nerve-racking. However, after doing several presentations in Korean, I found not only did my confidence increase, but my Korean language skills improved as well. I enjoyed learning about various topics, and taking different perspectives on subjects I had never really studied before. I became passionate about the topics I presented about. Presentations were a lot of hard work, but I definitely think that doing presentations are essential to language learning.

What attracted me to the Korean Language Flagship is the number of resources and support the program offers. At first when I had told my parents about the program, they thought it was a very good program and had wished I had joined the program earlier. Being in Flagship has drastically helped improve my Korean language skills. 

Advice I would give to the next Flagship cohort is do not be afraid to ask the Flagship for additional help. The Flagship program wants every student to succeed and is willing to help each student depending on their needs. The advice I would give to prospective Flagship students is that while the program can be challenging, if you are serious about learning Korea, the Flagship program can be a rewarding program.

The presentations were a great learning experience that expanded my knowledge beyond just the language but also on social and economic issues in Korea present at hand. It provided a space for me to culminate my learning throughout the course into a presentation, giving me insight into the research process and how to carry myself professionally while presenting. Being in Flagship improved my Korean proficiency in ways I never expected and has been unlike any other Korean language program I have been through. To prospective students, the KLFC emphasizes a rigorous course load that is bound to have its challenges. I strongly encourage putting in the effort because however much you dedicate to the course is what you will walk away with. So, make the most of it and know that you are your own person and that everyone is at a different level.

Despite the sudden switch of classroom setting due to the COVID-19, it has been quite inspirational seeing how motivated and well-organized the Korean teachers have been in preparing for their classes during these difficult times. My first couple semesters after joining the Korean Language Flagship, I felt very welcomed and felt a sense of community. I have made countless amazing memories with peers and teachers, and I look forward to new experiences at the Korean Language Flagship. Being in the Flagship for three years now has changed me for the better. Having learned many Korean expressions and grammar over the years, I can finally speak in Korean about more political and economic issues.