A new world, EU
I have been in breda for approximately 3 month as an exchange student learning about European Union Policy. And this semester is going to finish in January.
Frankly speaking, before learning about this, I just thought that EU is like a big country and a beautiful place where many travelers like. Because I did not have much interest about EU, I did not learn and did not know many things about EU. Thus, at first, I worried about that if I cannot understand the minor. So I would like to introduce about this.
Firstly, I would like to mention about subjects that we handled until now. This minor handled about EU law and economic integration.
As you know, EU is consists of many countries. Because of this condition, when EU makes new legislations, they have to have many steps. Of course, these steps are more complicated than a country makes legislations. Thus, basically, throughout this subject, I could learn the procedure of legislation, important organizations related with running the EU and the role of the organization. After that, we also learned about the contents of the legislations. The most interesting thing is about discrimination to me because this is not limited just EU. South Korea also has problems about it and has to solve problems cleverly.
Regarding to economic integration, in the beginning of the EU, EU member states wanted to achieve a single market. So they have tried to do this and now this is achieved. For example, they accepted a single currency, Euro. Because of this, it is easy to make single market. Finally, EU has high competition as a single market in the world and other countries target EU as their new target. Recently, by passing treaty of Lisbon, EU expected more integration about other sides.
Secondly, this minor has a special class, tutor groups. In the South Korea, many students just listen to professor’s lecture. On the other hand, during the tutor group class, we can discuss about the task. This class is leaded by every student not a professor. Professor just helps us to make flexible class. To attend this class efficiently, we have to read the task before attend a class and preview about it. And then we can discuss theme of the task. If students do not preview, students cannot catch up with the class easily because we cannot talk anything about it, if we don’t know it. So it is necessary to preview and talk a lot with students and professor to enjoy the class. Frankly speaking, to me, it is still not easy to adapt this style of lecture because I have already learned many things with different way in South Korea. So I always keep silence during the class. But it is not good.
Also we have many group projects. The theme of project is really difficult to me. So because of this, sometimes I felt stress. However, by doing this, I could know about issues more closely.
Lastly, to me, there are difference things between before learning EU and after. Before learning about EU, I do not have any interesting about the EU policy like that and do not know anything. However, now, whenever I saw a new related to EU in the internet, I always clicked and read the news and understand. Even though I cannot understand the EU policy, it was a good opportunity to learn about new things. So I think that learning about new thing is show new world.
Frankly speaking, before learning about this, I just thought that EU is like a big country and a beautiful place where many travelers like. Because I did not have much interest about EU, I did not learn and did not know many things about EU. Thus, at first, I worried about that if I cannot understand the minor. So I would like to introduce about this.
Firstly, I would like to mention about subjects that we handled until now. This minor handled about EU law and economic integration.
As you know, EU is consists of many countries. Because of this condition, when EU makes new legislations, they have to have many steps. Of course, these steps are more complicated than a country makes legislations. Thus, basically, throughout this subject, I could learn the procedure of legislation, important organizations related with running the EU and the role of the organization. After that, we also learned about the contents of the legislations. The most interesting thing is about discrimination to me because this is not limited just EU. South Korea also has problems about it and has to solve problems cleverly.
Regarding to economic integration, in the beginning of the EU, EU member states wanted to achieve a single market. So they have tried to do this and now this is achieved. For example, they accepted a single currency, Euro. Because of this, it is easy to make single market. Finally, EU has high competition as a single market in the world and other countries target EU as their new target. Recently, by passing treaty of Lisbon, EU expected more integration about other sides.
Secondly, this minor has a special class, tutor groups. In the South Korea, many students just listen to professor’s lecture. On the other hand, during the tutor group class, we can discuss about the task. This class is leaded by every student not a professor. Professor just helps us to make flexible class. To attend this class efficiently, we have to read the task before attend a class and preview about it. And then we can discuss theme of the task. If students do not preview, students cannot catch up with the class easily because we cannot talk anything about it, if we don’t know it. So it is necessary to preview and talk a lot with students and professor to enjoy the class. Frankly speaking, to me, it is still not easy to adapt this style of lecture because I have already learned many things with different way in South Korea. So I always keep silence during the class. But it is not good.
Also we have many group projects. The theme of project is really difficult to me. So because of this, sometimes I felt stress. However, by doing this, I could know about issues more closely.
Lastly, to me, there are difference things between before learning EU and after. Before learning about EU, I do not have any interesting about the EU policy like that and do not know anything. However, now, whenever I saw a new related to EU in the internet, I always clicked and read the news and understand. Even though I cannot understand the EU policy, it was a good opportunity to learn about new things. So I think that learning about new thing is show new world.
Dear Min-Young,
ReplyDeleteI have had a great pleasure reading your article! I am truly impressed by your writing skills that are almost very good. Hence, I agree with you that it has been a comprehensive and, nevertheless, very interesting Minor to follow. Ironically, it has not been just you who had less knowledge about the EU, but all of us, Europeans! It is actually a little awkward to say that, but I must admit that the level of pre-knowledge has not been dramatically different - we all have learned a lot and expanded our horizon. I am very proud of your decision willing to follow this particular Minor since it is, let's say, certainly a more specific one. I hope you have enjoyed your time in Breda as well as I really hope to hear more from you in the upcoming tutor group sessions since you have ALL the skills needed to speak up and show what you can! :-)
All the best,
Olga
Hee Minyoung!
ReplyDeleteFirst I will like to say that I think youre doing a great job learning English! It is a totally different language for you and I can't say if we would ever learn to speak South-Korean (even if we tried...).
I think you need to focus on the definite articles. For example: not 'with professor' but 'with the professor'/ not 'it is easy to make single market' but 'it is easy to make a single market'.
Bye!
Minyoung,
ReplyDeleteI know it is very difficult for you to express yourself in English but I can see that you have improvedmuch, compared to the beginning.
It is good to read that you realize to speak up a little more in class. I hope you have the chance to improve that further as it will help you a lot personally.
To further deepen you skills, try to focus on the right preposition. Enjoy yuor time in Breda.
Carolin
Minyoung,
ReplyDeleteI have read your blog, and the first thing that came up to me was, why does a Korean girl follow a minor about European Union polices. But it is an interesting subject, and it can be very handy if a Korean company wants to do business with an European one.
I think English is very difficult for you, but your English writing skills are pretty good. You have made a few errors in your blogs, but we all did.
I hope you enjoy your staying in the Netherlands.
Greetings,
Max