This data collection took place at the same table as my other consultants Yun Tae Kim and Sang Min Seo. Woo Sung's answers were very short and concise so his interview was the shortest one.
Consultant: Woo Sung Joun
Date: 02/23/03
Subject: Experiences of international students in LA
Collector: Sung Jung Hong

When did you first come to the US?
May of 1997

Where?
LA

What was your first impression?
I used to hate LA because in Korea I used to have a lot of friends and here, I didn’t know anybody. As I started to know more people, I started to enjoy my time at LA more. I met a lot of people at church. I don’t think that I experienced any hardships because there are so many Koreans in Korean town and you can eat Korean food at a lot of different restaurants.

What school did you go to?
When I first started here, I used to go to Concord Language Institute. Then I went to Rio Hondo College, LACC and finally now, I go to California State University in Northridge.

Did you experience any problems with the language?
I don’t really recall having many hardships with the language. I always expressed myself with body gestures as well so I think people always understood what I was trying to say even though my English was not that good. My passion is film making so constantly watching movies has also helped me a lot. I always felt in contact with the world through the different types of music that I watched.

How did your life change since the first time you came to the US?
Now, I really like LA because here I found my wife, I just got married last August and it has been great. I love her very much and since my papers for immigration are in, things are starting to look a lot better. I feel like I have settled down so I have a lot of peace of mind now.

Do you think you would be able to live in Korea now? Why?
I don’t think that I would be able to live in Korea now. Since I have settled down here, I see LA as my new home. I see my parents every now and then and my friends come to visit as well so I don’t really feel the necessity to go back.