- 건국대학교

	Exchange students Choose to stay in Korea
	관리자		948		2020.05.07

▼ <a style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLAwm10FSCc&t=1s" target="_blank">To watch</a> the video on Konkuk University's official Youtube Channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLAwm10FSCc&t=1s" target="_blank"><img width="625" height="351" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; display: block;" alt="" src="ArticleFile.do?id=11786485" /></a> 
Garret Knight (27) and Margaret Compton (20), who came to Korea in January, say that they did not return to the United States when Corona-19 spread in Korea and it was our best decision to make. Garret is from Sacramento, California, and Margaret is from Michigan. They are all American college students who came to Konkuk University this semester as exchange students.
When we met Garret and Margaret at the Konkuk University on the 30th of last month, they were both wearing masks. In the western regions of the United States and Europe, it was unusual to see that the perception that only patients wear masks is common. "I never wore a mask before I came to Korea and suffered the COVID-19 situation," said Garret. He added, "I am learning that it is more important to keep the safety of me and those around me, even if it is inconvenient."
"It's hard to get a disposable mask in Korean," said Margaret. "I want to wear a cotton mask instead of a disposable mask." They laughed, saying, “A mask is a necessity to go out in Korea.” <img style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; display: block;" alt="" src="ArticleFile.do?id=11784940" />　　　　　　　　　　Garret Knight (27) and Margaret Compton (20), exchange students of KU 
"It's amazing to see all Koreans wearing masks," said Garret. "I first forgot to wear mask and went out, but I looked at the eyes of those who were alert and went back home to get a mask," he said. "It's hard to imagine in the United States for everyone on the street to wear a mask."
In February, both Garret and Margaret were told to return not only from their families, but also from the president of the university in the United States. They thought, but eventually decided not to go.
Garret sent an email to his home university in the United States why he has to stay in Korea and how Korea is responding well to COVID-19 situation. “I've written hundreds of essays on assignments and tests so far since I’m major in English literature, and I have written e-mails more carefully than any other essay,” said Garret.
Margaret has also persuaded school and family since February to stay in Korea, not returning home. She said, "It was a situation that worried (acquaintances in the United States), but now the charter is completely reversed." In the United States, as COVID-19 confirmed and the number of deaths rapidly increased, the COVID-19 confirmed in the United States on the May 7th morning (Korea time) reached 1,258,000.
Throughout the interview, Garret and Margaret shared their concerns about their family and friends in the United States. This is because the situation in the US is more serious than Korea. Garret said “My mother in Sacramento is very surprised and troubled by COVID-19, so I’m very worried about her. I was told that even groceries like canned food are not enough because of stockpiling.” "It's a similar situation in Michigan," said Margaret. "All restaurants and pubs are closed, and only some stores, such as pharmacies, are open."
Gerrit and Margaret say that the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and the United States, starting with Italy, has increased, and Koreans are more alert. It was difficult to know the country of origin and the date of entry on the surface. "There was an increase in the number of corona19 confirmers in Italy, so I went to a restaurant with white friends and was denied entry," said Gerrit. "I can understand the restaurant owner, but I was upset."
Another problem is that COVID-19 has gone through all school classes online and the opportunity to meet Korean students is gone. "I want to make Korean friends and learn Korean, but I can't," said Margaret. “I am sorry that I can't hang around as much as I can like I came to Korea before,” said Garrett, who likes Korea that decided to come to Korea to study. <img width="677" height="616" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; display: block;" alt="" src="ArticleFile.do?id=11784941" /> News article available: <a style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=025&aid=0002990487" target="_blank">Joongang Daily Newspaper</a>


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