Highlights
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One at Marquette: YunJung (Sophia) LeeYunJung (Sophia) Lee, 21, is a junior studying international affairs and international communication at Marquette University in Milwaukee – and is an international student from South Korea.
Lee came to the United States at age 16 to Kalamazoo, Mich., for the end of her junior year of high school and graduated in 2009 from a private Catholic high school. After being wait-listed at Notre Dame, Lee’s host father, a Marquette alum, suggested touring his alma mater. Lee decided Marquette was a good fit after seeing the campus. “It just felt right,” she said. At Marquette, Lee has found her place between working at the Office of International Education, making friends and figuring out the cultural differences between her native and adopted nations. In high school, Lee returned to Korea during each summer. In college, she has done so either during winter break or summer. She feels homesick often and it was particularly difficult coming back this past Christmas. “I miss doing random things with my mom,” she said. Because of her love of South Korea, and her relationship with her family, she is having a difficult time deciding if she wants a job or career in the States or to return home for good. Lee said she sought a job on campus as a freshman because “if I have a job now, I will be more responsible later in life, I wanted to learn what it is like, almost like a training.” Balancing work and her studies is often difficult, but Lee said she likes working with the adults at Office of International Education. “They give me advice for the future and everyday stuff,” she said. Her job entails in part talking with incoming international freshmen and giving them a friendly voice while answering their questions and sharing her experiences. Lisa Wallace, a junior at Marquette, is Lee’s friend and roommate. Wallace described Lee as a caring, fun person said she enjoys learning about South Korea’s culture through her. Wallace said it is “cool” to see someone become so independent, and to see all the things Lee has done on her own. “I have learned a lot from her, “ Wallace said. Wallace also said Lee is a social butterfly, adding that “she has friends in all places, and is very open to people.” Wallace told a story of how an international student needed a place to stay for a week, and without hesitation, Lee opened the doors to their apartment. Wallace said that she would have been more cautious, but the ease of Lee’s quick decision calmed her nerves. Their apartment has a fun feel with lots of inspiration. For example, in the living area, an entire wall is covered with magazine cutouts of fashion ideas, celebrities and fun colors. Lee’s walls in her room are covered in pictures from home, maps, and posters. One poster (left) was made by one of Lee’s oldest friends. “Other Korean students who were like me and studying abroad sometimes couldn’t adjust to American culture and had to go back to Korea,” Lee said. “So my friend made this poster [it reads] “you can do it, never give up.” Lee acknowledged that being an international student has its challenges. One of the biggest is the language barrier. Not only is it a challenge communicating with people in the United States, but also going back and forth from Korea causes confusion for her, she said. Lee said she feels stuck in a Korean versus English battle, and that she is not advancing in either language because she is focusing on both. “I am circling around what is best for me,” she said. Lee wants others to realize how difficult it is for international students at times and to keep an open mind in getting to know them and having patience while talking with them. “I used to be self conscious of being from a different country,” Lee stated. “But being here, I find pieces of my identity everyday; I try to think in positive ways, like I am a unique and memorable person…with my dark hair, and I am taller than most other Asians. I have learned to appreciate it.” |