Finding my voice in Yeosu – USAC Study Abroad News

Growing up in a Mexican household, I was surrounded by English- and Spanish-speakers, so I never really thought twice about the significance of being bilingual. It wasn’t until I took my first French class in high school that I realized I wanted to expand my relationship with language and interact with as many cultures as possible. My goal is to become a polyglot: a person who knows and is able to use several languages.

Language is a way that we express ourselves and understand the people we encounter in our daily lives. To me, being a polyglot means being someone who sees the importance of breaking down barriers by studying a language’s authenticity. This is a value system that I personally want to mold into my future, and it’s also a sentiment that was solidified during my time studying abroad in South Korea.

During my Junior year at the University of Nevada, Reno, I had the pleasure of participating in the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Gwangju program, and its intensive Korean language study option. I lived in Yeosu, a lovely port city with its own history and unique charm.

At first, USAC Seoul was my top choice program, given that its city atmosphere is full of fun activities and cat cafes, which would have undoubtedly been my financial downfall — albeit a welcomed one. However, when I really evaluated my goals for my study abroad journey, I wanted to create a challenge to immerse myself in the language and its cultural nuances. A smaller city like Yeosu, where fewer people speak English, would better benefit and challenge me to practice and put myself out there. So, it became my new first choice.

The intensive language program at Chonnam National University was amazing! Each day for three hours, we learned a different part of the language that included vocabulary/pronunciation, grammar, writing/reading, and speaking/listening. We also had a Korean culture class in the afternoon that taught us history, pop culture, and social norms, which made understanding locals easier. While I was there, I had three professors for my language classes. I felt like I was able to experience different methods of teaching that helped me understand what worked for me and what didn’t. The teachers understood and spoke English, so I never felt like I couldn’t ask clarifying questions.

The classes were great, but learning the language in the city was the time that stuck with me the most. If you’re not familiar with Yeosu, the one thing you should take away from this blog post is that the locals are some of the kindest people ever. Yeosu is not a bustling city like Seoul, so the people have the time and interest to talk with foreigners about their experiences. They always asked me if I was enjoying Korea, their food, their culture, and their language. It was beautiful to have the vocabulary to tell them how much I appreciated their country and how kind they are.

One moment that stands out vividly in my memory was just a few days before I was set to leave Korea. My sister — who was also in the program — and I had just finished dinner and hailed a taxi back to the dorms. As we settled into the car, I noticed the driver glancing at us in the rear-view mirror, clearly surprised to see us. While adjusting the heater, he asked in Korean, “Are you cold?”

It was mid-December, a bit chilly, but nothing my sweater couldn’t handle. I responded, “No, I’m okay, thank you.” Even through his mask, I could tell the driver was caught off guard by my Korean. His surprise quickly turned into curiosity, and he began asking about our thoughts on Korea, the people, and, of course, the food (its spice level in particular).

As we chatted, I felt so calm and content to share this moment. I could see him relax, and he started sharing more about himself. In those fifteen minutes, I learned that he was a photographer, and as a gesture of kindness, he gave us one of his postcards showcasing his work. It was such a beautiful, unexpected connection. When I look back on it, I realize that I wouldn’t have experienced it if I hadn’t taken the time to learn the language. Honestly, it was one of the proudest moments of my study abroad experience. 

If any student is thinking about studying abroad, my advice is to take the opportunity to personally connect yourself with the world. You won’t regret it.

Angelica Gutierrez is an alumna of the University of Nevada-Reno, where she received her bachelor’s in both biology and French in May 2024. Beginning as a USAC Ambassador, Angelica has since transitioned into a Program Advisor for USAC’s Latin America and Thailand programs. She hopes to one day obtain her master’s in genetic counseling and language fluency in Korean and ASL.