안녕하세요 여러분!
Welcome to my blog! I’m just an American who loves everything about Korea. Just to give you a quick overview, I have been studying Korean since October 2005. Two of those years were dedicated to teaching Koreans who live in Canada how to integrate into the culture and learn the language and one year was spent studying at SNU, Korea’s top university.
This blog was originally part of a personal project for myself preparing for arriving and living in Korea when I studied at SNU as an exchange student during 2010. I wrote about my journey before, during and after.
This project has split into two parts. The main portion dealing with my personal progress and learning about everything Korea can be found in this blog. The second venue is a wiki that I co-founded with a guy named Chris Kwon, called the Korean Wiki Project, which is a collaborative language-learning environment where anyone can contribute. If you would like to learn Korean and/or help others, go check that website. It’s completely free in all senses of the word.
Hey Matt – So, when do you come to Korea? You say you’ve been studying since 2005, but will be coming in a year…and I think the About page was written on Jan 10th. So, you’re coming to Korea in 2010? By the way, I’m the guy who started one of the blogs you link to on the page/post: http://www.mstrum.com/onmywaytokorea/studying-korean/ (http://therealsouthkorea.wordpress.com)
@Brandon
Yeah, I should start school in March 2010. I’m hoping that I can go a little early and travel around but I don’t know how the visa works so I’ll figure it out a little later. I enjoy your blog, thanks for commenting.
Well, I should say “thanks” for the link to the blog — had no idea you existed until my blog stats said you sent a few visitors to me the other day. Anyhoo, keep in touch & if you need anything on this side of the world, let me know. A friend/past coworker is up at SNU right now working on his Ph.D. If you want to speak to him about anything, let me know. I’ll help with whatever I can & if you ever want to contribute to Seoul Insider, I’d definitely welcome it…I’d like to make it a community eventually.
hi im just one Korean girl. haha i can say your Korean is real good!!
im hoping that i will meet you in Korea.
공부 열심히 하세요 ^^
Hi there! Im from Singapore (hope you have heard about my country) and i’m also planning to travel to Seoul to study Korean.
Targeting to take start classes around September 09, but I hope to be there asap..can’t wait!!
Anyway, I had taken about 30 hours of beginners class back in 2006, so I can read very basic phrases and all that.. only..
U are doing a good job studying on your own man! For me, I’m just trying to constantly recap all I have learnt by re-reading a Kr textbook I’ve bought and watching Kr dramas.
Prob I will be visiting this site often to learn from you! Till then..
@Casie Z
Of course, I’ve known a few people from Singapore! That’s really cool that you’ll be studying there, I hope you have a fun time. Thanks for visiting!
Hello?
I saw your video on You Tube by chance. It was suprisng. Your Korean is great! I came here(U.K)for my study 4 month ago, but my english is not good. I hope you have a nice time in Korea. Btw, I’m not sure that you already know this website, but I’d like to tell you. (http://www.korea.net) Maybe, you can get more information on Korea.
@JS
Thanks! That’s so cool that you’re in the U.K., British accents are awesome.
hi !also i saw your video on you tube.
Funny Mistake Speaking Korean…. lol
your Korean is perfect !!
oh, I’m Korean girl born in 1988.
i am a university student, my major is Korean language.
um.. someday I want to become a teacher for foreigner.
(however, my English ability is poor.. haha
I hope to go Canada for my English ability within 2 years.)
so, I am interested in your blog.
recently, I teach my foreign friend in Korea.
teaching Korean is very difficult to me.
anyway, your blog is Incredible !!!
have a nice day
Great blog by great guy!
wondering what makes you be a big fan of Korea. I’m an IT consultant working at Belgium for a while. l am fully able to understand how it is diffìcult for western people like you to learn 한글. You really spur me to study hard. Good luck !
Hi, i just saw your videos on the internet. Your korean skill is really good. It’s amazing!! I’m in NewYork to learn English now. To learn other languages is very difficult, but it’s interesting.
Leaving a msg in Korean to foreigners is a little bit weird, but it’s just interesting. And you know…i was born in 1985, too. ^^ Anyway, it’s time to say bye~~ and take care. i have to back to study TOEFL T.T
See you later
I saw your new stuff. I saw 봄생봄사. but that’s wrong. We can call that 폼생폼사. I know Korean is not that easy. but you are real good at. 화이팅! =)
@Sunny
고맙습니다 Sunny!
Hope you fulfill your wish. No doubt you’ll be successful.
hMmmmm…
i wonder which kpop tune u shall be dancing to when you arrive there.
Good luck on your voyage to Korea. I have registered your Blog to my Reader.
Mostly placement in Google’s images, I believe started to help me with traffic. It’s not “great qualified traffic” for the content, but rather it’s mostly Google randomly deciding to place my images for some decently higher searched terms.
If you ever want to get more into Search, let me know. I’m always looking to build a group of people who are wanting to learn and eventually team up since I always believe in the concept of “two heads are better than one.” I totally respect the fact school’s keeping you busy enough
I forgot Matt, but I also wrote a posting about Facebook spam right before everyone was curious about it & it sort of went viral, I believe. Periodically, sometimes posts I write about in terms of customer service (will be writing one probably about Google’s adsense product soon since it’s basically been a joke for me) also gets decent traffic. So, it was a combination of the images (porcupine & Korean girls images [sorry, no nudes]
and some posts that caught on fire that caused the bump in traffic. How is your traffic looking?
@Brandon
haha. I’m getting a little over 50 every day, though I haven’t attempted any real SEO optimizations or viral articles. I might try that at some point, for this semester I’m trying to document what I learn so I’m loaded doing that. Yeah, adsense is a very interesting beast. I actually pay into google advertising for my product (http://www.xtremejournalsystem.com) which has helped revenues increase. I’ve tried adsense but it just doesn’t seem like it’ll be any good unless I get a lot more traffic.
Hi, Matt. You lived in Provo for a while,huh? That means you would certainly know about the lds church and BYU! I don’t know if you are a member of the church, I’m not, but I currently go to BYU as a non-member. I don’t know why, but I just get so excited to find people either on or offline who went to BYU. I have many friends who’ve served mission in Korea, and I was pretty excited to find your youtube videos. It’s always fascinating to see people wanting to learn Korean and to know more about my culture. You are hoping to go to a college in Korea…I’d recommend you to apply to Underwood International College of Yonsei University. By the way, I’m not related to the school in any way lol I almost applied to the school before I came to the states, and that’s why I know about the school lol! I’m pretty sure that most of the classes at UIC of Yonsei are conducted in English. I’m hoping to transfer to UIC pretty soon, but I heard it’s very tought to get in especially for Korean students since so many Korean applicants’ stats are like those of Ivy Leagues, if what I heard is true
Anyways, hope your Korean studies goes well, 열심히 공부하세요!
Oh my goodness!
I’m just watching your first video in youtube.
I can’t believe that you have never been Korea to study, but your Korean is pretty good! I’m sure! You have some grammer mistake, but i can understand what you wanted to say it.
How did you study??? I’m just wondering..
i hope you will go to Korea next year
한국어 공부 열심히 하세요!
hey mate. i saw u on youtube.com
how r u ? just i can say thanks to you. coz i like ur ennlish lesson.
r u in korea? im in australia , when i back to korea , can i become friend? and ur korean is awsome.too enought.and grammer is no worries.
coz almost koreans dont care grammer, like the english. that is just language.and take care ~!
p.s ur korean is so lovely, so cute , look pure! im ur fan.
유투브에서 동영상 보고 놀러왔어요.
전 지금 영국에 영어 공부하러와서 영국에서 지내고 있어요^^
영어로 안쓰고 한국어로 쓸게요! 그래야 도움이 되지 않을까 하고
다른 나라 언어를 공부한다는게 정말 쉽지 않은데
외국인이 한국어를 이렇게 잘 할 수도 있구나 하고 감동받아서 블로그 구경하러 왔어요.
희망이 생기더라구요.
아.. 한번도 한국에 가보지 않았는데도 저 정도 할 수 있다니
나도 영어공부 열심히 하면 해낼 수 있겠지 하고요.
처음에 한국어 공부하게된 계기가 뭔지 알 수 있을까요?
어떤 마음으로 공부를 했기에 이렇게 잘할 수 있나 싶어서요^^;
2010년에 한국오시면 지금보다 더 잘하시겠네요 지금도 충분히 잘하시던데
한국 사랑해 주는거 너무 감사하고 앞으로도 계속 발전하는 모습 기대할게요!
Boram said:
A rough and hurried translation but I don’t think there are any major blunders. Good work with this blog and the wiki. If I can find the time, I will register and contribute. I’ve been in Korea for about 5 years now, so if you have any questions about life or work, I’ll be happy to try and answer them. ^^
Cheers,
Gordon
A quick hi and a virtual 어서오세요 even before you arrive
I’m Chris in South Korea, already on the other side of the world, and have been blogging about it from the beginning (although you definitely get credit for starting one A YEAR before you arrive!). I’m linking to your page – check me out and link to me 주세요?
Of course Chris, that looks like a great blog!
안녕하세요 ^^ I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog. It looks really great. 저도 한국에 가 본 적이 없지만 열심히 공부하고 있어요. I’ve been self studying for almost 1.5 years already.
Just curious.. but what made you interested in korean/korea?
@Shanna
Wow, so you’ve also never been? I studied Chinese for a year, so that’s how I got interested in Asian culture. Then I went to Canada for two years to teach Koreans so I learned Korean during that time. I didn’t choose Korean, I was just thrown into it. Now, though, I love it so much I’m continuing my studies and pursuits.
@mstrum
yeah I haven’t been to korea. Hoping to further my studies over there after I graduate. (haha that’s like a long way more) I wanted to take up a foreign lanaguage and since I loved k-drams alot, I decided to join a beginner class during the hols. And now I really love the language alot too. (:
That’s way cool. I’m starting to watch ‘Time of Wolf and Dog’ this semester, it looks like it should be pretty good. I haven’t seen a full episode but I’ve looked it over. K-Dramas are freaking awesome
. Great blog by the way.
I have no idea what website/blog this is…but I stumbled across it while searching for something on Google. Your blog is quite entertaining. =) I’m an eighteen year old Korean-American girl from New Jersey. I’ve been researching some Korean (National) Universities. My reading/writing skills aren’t really up to par, however, I can speak the language.
I have a question (was wondering if you would know anything about this): So, entry tests are required for international students to be admitted to a school…These tests are like the SATs that we take in the states? Where/how can I go about taking this entrance exam? I’m confuzzled.
I was going to take a whole year off…but…suddenly..I really want to study in Korea. I visited four years ago for the first time and loved it.
- Donna Baek!
@백승혜
Thanks^^. I will be going to a sister university (SNU) of my current universtiy (U of U) which means I will simply transfer over without a lot of extra stuff (like tests) so I’m not exactly sure what kind of process you’ll have to go through. I believe it’s generally a lot easier if you already have some college behind you, but I also haven’t really researched too much into it. Hopefully you can find something that works for you!
hey Matt! ^^ I’m planning a new project to feature korean learners from all over the world and their korean learning journey. I really hope you can join it too. I’ve sent you an email with more details^^
p.s I’ve moved from my wordpress blog to a new site.
hi
Realy encouraging to see a foreigner wanting to learn korean just like me. I am a sinagporean. I am very interested in the language too. I wanted to apply to SNU but heard it will be difficult. My korean is really very bad, not as good as you. I tried applying for some korean uni and I found out it is not that easy even for the application process. Application require you to certify all certs, go to pri sch that you never gone there for years and write essays and get recomm letters from teachers that you don really know them. I face all kinds of pressure from family and friends. They somehow think that I am crazy to want to go there to study when everyone coming to singapore. They all discouraged me. Actually I didn want to spoil the mood but I just feel depressed and feel like giving up my dream of going there. I am just trying to cling on when people make sarcastic and negative remarks. Currently there is not much people that I can ask help from but I will pray that it is god’s will for me. Hope there are no other people that is facing the same things as I face. I just feel terrible. Never mind. lets all try harder fighting!!!
@J.G
Do what YOU want to do. Definitely listen to the people around you, everyone has some good advice, but in the end remember it’s YOUR decision and YOUR life. While some people may think you’re making a wrong decision, they aren’t using the same factors of deciding what’s a good decision and what’s a bad decision. If it will make you happy and achive your goals, do it.
Hello?Nice to meet U.My name is Hyunji Lee.I live in seattle of Washington.I came to here 8 month ago for study.Actually I saw your video at the YouTube.Wow! you have a good pronunciation for Korean.Also,i was surprised about your passion for Korea.are you going to University of Utah nowdays? One of my korean friends he is going to there too.I never seen a foreign who has a good pronunciation for Korean likes you.Anyway I wanna be friends with you.haha
if you have a interested about make a Korean friend,would you mind send e-mail to me?
I can help you whatever about Korean!
Hey, there fantastic blog. Up for some crosslinkage? I’ll add you tonight after work!
Of course =)
Hey.
I’m Weemin from Singapore and I’m so glad to come across your blog!!!
I’ve also applied for exchange to SNU and I’m now waiting for the outcome as well!!
Do mail me if you have more information about the exchange!! Your interview with the current student is great! =)
@Weemin
Sweet! Good luck, hopefully we’ll both be there next year!
Hey.
I have just received the email from my school that I’ve been accepted to SNU!!! Do check with your school!! =)
Congratulations! Hopefully I’ll hear back soon too. My advisor is out of the office util the 24th so the email might not be forwarded to me immediately.
Hey Matt, Randomly found your webpage. I was impressed by how hard you dedicate yourself to learn new culture and language. Also, It was quite interesting to read some of your opinion about South Korea. I may visit your webpage from time to time. Good luck with your studying in SNU and your life in South Korea next year. (BTW, What are you going to study in SNU?) Cheers, Sam
@Sam
Computer science/engineering
Hey Matt!
I just found your blog and am happy to see that there are others who have similar plans as I do. I intend to apply for 한양대학교 for the fall semester 2010!~unfortunately my Korean is not nearly as good as yours, I’ve just started learning it on my own this May and couldn’t spend that much time on it as I’m also preparing for the CPE exam.
I’ll keep watching your blog!
Cheers,
Nik
By the way, my mayor is also going to be computer science/engineering
@Nik
Cool, hopefully you’ll get in! Good luck on your CPE also.
I’ll make sure to update my blog with my experiences traveling, starting school, finding housing, etc., so hopefully this blog will be useful for you~
Hey Elder Matt Strum,
Just came across your blog and was sad to hear you have left the church.
I hope you find happiness with whatever path you decide to take. My family and I appreciate the service you rendered to us and all of the kids and we will always remember you and the testimony that you bore.
Would love to meet you sometime at the Seoul Foreign Branch…possibly for a branch activity.
Take care,
Brother Bennett
@martin bennett
Hey! Good to see you again! So you’re in Korea? Yea man, I’d love to hang out with y’all.
Hi I’m diana. I was born in Korea and study in Canada! I’m also going on exchange to SNU in Spring. I’m just wondering whether you’ve got an eamil from SNU saying that they don’t have enough rooms for every exchange student so they are offering off-campus housing. It’s sooooooo expensive compared to on-campus one. Since you have not posted about SNU yet I am so curious, thinking what if i am the only one got the email T-T Please let me know!!! have a good day! -diana
@diana
Hey! Congrats! I guess I’ll probably see you in a little bit then~ Yes, I did get that message. It kind of sucks, that’s going to like double my expenses. It’s costing a lot more than I was hoping ….
Just a passing-by stranger and kudos on your journey
though- I think 열정 might be better to be put up there instead of 열심
either way tells you that you are deeply into it and putting the best effort from what you got
Great blog!
I’m from Russia, so I can’t speak English well, but I like to read your stories about Korea.
I hope, that I’ll study in SNU in 2011 year ^^.. Now I prepare for it.
Thank you for interesting blog!
@Anna
Cool! I hope you make it^^
I guess you already speaks Korean so well.
Hey, I am Korean, and I am LDS. I watched your Youtube video about the church.
Can you give me more info about that?
I already searched some of the info, but I wanna know more.
Thank you.=)
@Honesty
Sure, my original story with links to good sources of information is available at: http://www.mstrum.com/docs/LLC.pdf. Everything I talked about in that video is MUCH more well documented in that story. It 22 pages long, but you can feel free to skip to the sections which cover individual topics. Feel free to email me at the address included at the top of the story with any questions you have.