By Study abroad is a gift to us all.
Every year people from all over the world travel to Carroll College. They leave their friends and family behind for the opportunity to experience new and exciting things.
Hyunjoo Kim is from Gwangmyeong, a city in the Gyeonggi Province of South Korea. Growing up, she always had a strong desire to learn more about the world. She started learning English in second grade and became fascinated with other cultures.
“I really care about traveling,” Kim said. “I want to explore the world and learn about different cultures and places.”
She would listen to American pop songs and watch translated versions of the TV show iCarly. Then while she was going through college at the Catholic University of Korea, she learned of programs to study abroad.
“I wanted to study in the U.S.,” said Kim. “I remember there were about four universities on the list and Carroll College was one of them.”
After carefully examining her options, she chose Carroll College, a place over 5,500 miles away with a much smaller population density.
At first she was nervous that she would have a hard time adjusting. She was afraid she was making a mistake. However, after starting school here she was able to make friends who helped her adjust.
Kim became friends with her floor’s resident assistant Paphada Phansombun, a senior Health Sciences major from Lewistown, Montana. Phansombun was excited to meet Kim and became someone that Kim could rely on. During Kim’s stay at Carroll, they bonded over food and talked to each other about faith. She also helped Kim with her English and explained how to utilize translating apps.
Kim also met Zofia Lampkin, a sophomore double major studying Anthrozoology and Theater, from Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Lampkin wanted to learn more about other cultures as well so she reached out to Kim to get to know her.
Lampkin’s first impression of Kim went very well.
“She’s really gentle, like a kind soul,” said Lampkin. “She has such a zeal for life”
Kim’s in her senior year studying physics. She’s had the opportunity to also take a few classes outside of her major to broaden her knowledge of the world. One of those classes included Amber Barnes’s Intro to Acting class.
Barnes is an adjunct theater professor and works in the school’s registrar office. This was the first time she had an international student in one of her classes and she was worried that the language barrier would make communication difficult. Over time they created a routine of communicating via email and meeting outside of class which benefited both of them.
Not only did this class help to broaden Kim’s knowledge of the world, but the techniques learned in this class also helped improve her public speaking skills.
“I really enjoyed having her in class, she was really fun,” said Barnes. “I hope she keeps doing theater.”
Outside of the classroom Kim made a dedicated effort to make the most of her time here. She went on hikes and traveled around the United States during school breaks. She visited Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and Texas.
Kim doesn’t have a driver’s license so to get to the airport she would ask friends for help when she needed it, such as Phansombun.
“She’s really good at asking for help,” said Phansombun. “She’s always trying different things and not afraid to do it alone.”
Lampkin put it best.
“She is a dreamer and a doer,” said Lampkin. “She actively pursues her interests. She lives in the moment.”
Looking back at her time here Kim doesn’t have any regrets in choosing to attend Carroll. In fact, outside of the unpredictable weather and lack of public transportation, she really enjoyed her time here.
Phansombun feels the same way.
“I’m grateful for our friendship,” said Phansombun. “Thank you for opening up to me.”
Phansombun is also looking forward to traveling with Kim to Thailand and visiting her in South Korea.
Kim is particularly glad to have met people like Phansombun, Lampkin, and Barnes.
“People here, both at school and in Helena, have been very kind and friendly,” said Kim. “That was something I really appreciated.”
