Culture with Language Exchange Program helps students.

Photo By Sgt. SeoWon Lee | Do Hee-jeong, a student from department of global trade and management bowls at Camp Casey, South Korea, Dec 3. She visited Camp Casey to receive her certificate of completion for the Culture with Language Exchange Program.  

DONGDUCHEON, 41, SOUTH KOREA

12.03.2014

Story by Pfc. SeoWon Lee 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

CAMP CASEY, South Korea – Students from Shinhan University visited Camp Casey, South Korea, to receive their certificates of completion from Culture with Language Exchange Program, Dec 3.

The program contains 10 weeks of classes held every Wednesday for three hours. Students and Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division interacted with each other as to give the students an opportunity to learn English from the U.S. Soldiers and Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army Soldiers. The U.S. Soldiers learn about Korean culture from the students in return.

“We would like to thank you for coming out tonight for this Culture with Language Exchange Program completion ceremony,” said Capt. David C. Palmer, an officer in charge of the civil affairs office from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st ABCT, 2nd Inf. Div. as he welcomed the students. “More importantly, thank you all for participating in this program.”

CLEP started Sep. 23, 2013 when Shinhan University and the 1st ABCT agreed on a mutually beneficial partnership. This was the third semester for the program, and it was “very successful” according to Jeon Hyeon-ju, professor of the department of international languages at Shinhan University.

“The U.S. Soldiers and KATUSAs were dedicated,” said Jeon. “They cooperated with us well for the program. Especially, volunteer teachers worked very hard. They were prepared with their classes with multiple topics. Students loved those classes.”

The program was run totally on a voluntary basis. In other words, all the instructors had to give out their own time to work at Shinhan University. Capt. Brandon G. Aird, a current operations officer with 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 1st ABCT, 2nd Inf. Div., volunteered to be an instructor because he wanted to learn Korean culture and language.

“It was a good experience for both sides,” said Aird. “I feel like I learned a lot about them and they told me that I helped them know a lot about American culture … If I get the opportunity, I will do this again next year. It was very enjoyable.”

The KATUSAs helped resolve any communication difficulties that might have happened during the lessons.

“KATUSAs were key to making this program happen,” said Aird. “They did a lot of the coordination. They were able to communicate some of the more difficult aspects of lessons. I couldn’t have done without the KATUSAs.”

There were three classes held with one U.S. Soldier and KATUSA in each class. They cooperated to instruct and to successfully lead the class. It was the second time for Sgt. Suhmoon won, chaplain assistant for 1st ABCT, to be in this program.

“I felt achievement last time from being an instructor,” said Suhmoon. “I really liked how I could give out my talents to others. I wanted to have an opportunity to help others with things that I am good at, and the opportunity came again. So, I went for it.”

According to Jeon, students normally don’t get to experience with English speakers. Thus, the program was valuable for students as it gave them the rare chance of speaking to foreigners.

“I think the program helped me a lot,” said Do Hee-jeong, a student of department of global trade and management. “Before I took the program, I was afraid of speaking to foreigners and had a lot of difficulties making a conversation with them. However, after completing the program, I earned confidence.”

• Date Taken: 12.03.2014
• Date Posted: 12.07.2014 23:24
• Story ID: 149621
• Location: DONGDUCHEON, 41, KR
• Hometown: ROANOKE, VA, US