As for my Korean studies, I've made huge steps in reaching my ultimate goal of studying abroad in Korea. The most difficult part of my learning was definitely the Korean proverbs. Not only do proverbs teach the language, but it also teaches the major aspects of the culture and how people think in Korea. I can relate some American proverbs to Korean proverbs that are similar to each other (i.e. killing two birds with one stone); however, most proverbs are completely new and very different. I've also learned countless slangs that Korean students use in their daily lives. As I'm studying the language, I feel I'm soaking up a lot of cultural aspects that come with the language as well. Learning the target language dives into the target culture but only to a certain extent. Culture is a different topic that overlaps a little with language. I feel I need to improve vocabulary in order to significantly improve my communicative competence. I don't know certain English words in Korean, so I have to describe the word. Also, vice versa, I don't know a lot of Korean words, so I have to keep asking what it means.
My ultimate goal still stands as studying abroad in Korea, and in order to achieve this goal, I have learn not just the language, but the culture and the everyday life of Korean college students. There are still multiple checkpoints that I need to reach in my PanOpto recording, but with the current way of studying and exposure to the language and culture will definitely get me to my goal just in time.
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