A Guide for Korean Students
Just as you cannot shop with Korean money is the United States nor would you dare to play American football with rules of international soccer, you can not succeed in American higher education with the rules and customs of Korean education. Neither system is right or better; they are just different.
1. Arrive at class on time (or better five minutes early.) To Americans, Time is money. Have all books and supplies.
2. If you are late, enter quietly and take the first available seat. apologize and/or make excuse after class.
3. Attend all classes. If you are ill or have an emergency, get the work and notes from another student. Get the phone numbers of one or two classmates during the first week of school. ( it has been proven by research that students with the best attendance learn more, more easily, and earn the best grades.)
4. Identify all submitted work with your complete name; underline your family name. Many Americans are not familiar with Korean names. Also give your student ID number, the date of submission, the course name and section number, and a description of the assignment. you are one student. Professors can have hundreds of students. Be sure you receive credit for your work.
5. Do your own work!
6. Turn work in on time in a professional form.
7. See the professor at office hours of call for an appointment if you are confused or falling behind.
8. Raise your hand to volunteer in small classroom settings.
9. Be prepared. This is the motto of the Boy Scouts of America.
10. Don’t compare grades. You are in competition with your own abilities and motivation.
11. If you have an answering machine, leave bi-lingual messages. (one language must be English.)
12. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Notify your professor of your problems. If you must leave, notify the professor and the school.
If you have the intelligence and motivation necessary and follow these game rules, you should be a winner in American higher education.
* These articles were originally written for the Korean Student Association of the Univ. of Oklahoma.
The UOS Times
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