Rachel Eve Clarence is studying Chemical Engineering. Currently, she is in her final year, and is looking forward to graduate. As she is from Malaysia, we wanted to know what made her come to SKKU? It is impressive to hear her story about coming to Korea, and listen to the anecdotes related to living here, especially as she comes from a very different culture. This is her story about experiencing everything new.

Rachel and Chemical Engineering

It is not sure if it is only in Korea, where the female percentage particularly is low in engineering, but Rachel is one of the very few female students in the College of Engineering. We asked her the reason for choosing Chemical Engineering.

“When I chose this major, I wasn’t that informative of the world. I knew I liked Chemistry. However, I had very little understanding about engineering. I suppose numerous students in Asia tend to choose a major leading up to career as a doctor or an engineer. Of course, it was the same with me, so I chose Chemical Engineering as my major. “

“I knew I liked chemistry and also thought that engineering was an amazing field of study. Futhermore, chemical engineering is a very broad discipline where a wider choice for my future career was possible. ‘The charm for me was chemistry itself. While studying chemistry and chemical engineering I was fascinated with the facts and research that I came across during my study.”

Rachel and her Korean ties

How did you get to know Korea? It was definitely not an obvious decision to move from Southeast Asia to the smallest country in the East Asia. What prompted you to make the decision?

“This may sound very childish, but from a young age, I’ve watched Korean Dramas with my mom. So when I took the ‘College Scholastic Ability Test’ during High School, I thought of applying to a Korean University, which I actually did, and was accepted by SKKU’s Department of Chemical Engineering, where I’m presently studying in.”

A great deal of time has passed since you first came to SKKU as a freshman. What kind of impression do you have of Korea and living here?

“The first impression I had in Korea was learning the ‘Speed Society’. The example of using the word ‘Fast Fast’, right? Since then, my life in Korea has turned out to be a place to learn. As a result, everyday I told myself ‘Don’t judge someone by their appearance.’ Korea was the first country that I’ve ever travelled. Living for 4 years in Korea, I am fairly adapted to Korean society and culture. Now travelling in Korea, the food, and communicating with people is not a problem for me.”

Cultural differences

Four years would be enough to experience Korea. So it’s obvious that there would have been some situations that you find difficult

“For some this might sound as a merit. A lot of people say that I look similar to Korean. Languages and simple communications weren’t difficult, but there were some moments when I’m confused with the behavior aspect of the culture. There are sometimes when I act the way I would normally do and find myself being looked upon by Korean people would look at me strangely with a glance saying’ why is that girl acting like that.’There is a difference in how Korean act with foreigners and amongst themselves.In some cases that made me upset, but it also prompted me to be more better in my Korean.”

Could you point out some cultural differences.

“Malaysia and Korean drinking culture are very different. In Korea, when drinking with people who are older than you, it is not appropriate to look straight at them and I noticed they turn a little bit sideways when they drank to be courteous. This fact was very interesting. Public transportation in Korea is fantastic. I still find it difficult to speak formally in contrast to speaking casually, which I also find fascinating. I still struggle with formal communicate with people. It’s especially hard to express myself while talking with people who are older than me. I don’t know when to interrupt to say something, so I’m unable to express myself fully.”

Goals and aspirations

It was your last year in SKKU. What are your future plans?

"I try to take a step every day without regretting. There is an old saying, ‘Struggle now, and the future is easier.’ I

don’t know if this fully appliale to my case .I think life is a journey. It is not a mountain for us to climb to the peak. If you struggle in the present, you cannot appreciate fully what is offered to you now. We should remember, eventually we are all going to heaven!."

With her attitude to find things to learn in everyday life we wish the best and believe that she will find her 'satisfactory future'.

Link to media: http://www.skkuzine.com/People/view/1283