The document discusses the author's experiences learning about different cultures through travel and making international friends. As a child, stories from other cultures sparked the author's curiosity. At age 14, the author visited Australia alone for two months and learned independence. The author remains friends with Suma from Bangladesh and learned about her religion and culture by staying with her family. The author also visited Turkey and learned about the religious and cultural practices there, such as women wearing chadors. Through international experiences, the author realized both similarities and differences between cultures and felt pride in South Korean companies and products.

1. Can you remember the time when you were a child, parents read stories in the
bed? When I was young, everyday my mom read different and interesting stories from
all over the world for me and my sister. One day, she read fascinating story and I still
remember beautiful buildings and people in that book that were totally different. Those
were very marvelous things for young child who had never seen different colored or
white people and culture. Since that time, I was curious about other cultures and always
wanted to go other countries and experience different culture. At last when I was 14
years old, I could visit Australia alone for two month. During that time, I had learned a
lot of things without my parents help which I could not expect. So I believe learning a
foreign culture is a satisfactory experience.
Making friends regardless of region, gender, age and color helps to realize that the
world is wider. I still keep in touch with my friend, Suma who lived in Bangladesh. When
I went Bangladesh to do volunteer service with my Korean friends, we met together. I
stayed her house for 2 days and it was really special memory for me. Once she told
about her religion: Islam and I could learn lots of things about Islam which I did not
know about. And also she made their traditional cook to us. I could learn more about
Bangladesh not by reading books or information but by making great friends. Every
time, I try to discuss and try to know others culture not only minor issue but very
profound topic with Suma and other foreign friends who I met through the Internet. By
sharing thoughts, I could realize wider world naturally not like a big fish in a small pond.
Moreover, I can perceive the difference between our culture and other's.
By learning their culture, it can be possible to understand different living style,
history and etiquette. When I went to Turkey to do missionary works, I could stay
Turkish people for 3 days. I found the different things between Korea's cultures. They
made all things what they need by themselves. And Turkish people were so religious
that when the sing is heard from a temple they prayed to Allah five times everyday.
Also Turkish women must wear chador which is a large piece of cloth that covers a
woman’s head and upper body. So that only women’s face can be seen. At first, it was
so awkward to me to wear, but it was special memory and experience. In Turkey, there
are Kurds. They are an Ethnic-Iranian ethno linguistic group mostly inhabiting a region
known as Kurdistan, which includes adjacent parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. I
became to know about Kurds specifically and understand how they want to have own
their nation. Not only history and culture but also I could learn other people's etiquette.
When I was in Bangladesh, I was so shocked because of their culture. They do not use

2. spoon when they eat. Using their right hand, they can eat their meal. At first, I could not
even try to eat something with my hand but fortunately, I just used to do it and enjoyed
my meal. Those were all the amazing experience and that I even try in my country.
Another advantage of learning foreign culture is to feel proud of owns country.
Going to other countries and introducing about Korea give a chance to
recognize the superiority of my country. The Samsung Group is the world's largest
conglomerate by revenue, headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea. It is
South Korea's largest company which includes Samsung Electronics, the world's largest
electronics company, Samsung Heavy Industries, the world's second largest shipbuilder.
The LG Group is also South Korea's third largest conglomerate that produces
electronics, chemicals, and telecommunications products and operates subsidiaries like
LG Electronics, LG Telecom and LG Chem in over 80 countries. I see lots of people
having a 'Samsung' or 'LG' cell phone. Every time I try to explain that those phones are
made in Korea, but nobody understands. It is hard for me to explain in a different
language but I did because of the pride that I feel for the products we made in my
country. That also makes me to imbue a mind with new patriotism.