Screenshot from n-Lingual’s “‘First-aid Kit’ for Your Life in Songdo” sessions for the new international students (Feb. 10th, 2021)
Photo Credit: Jungeun An
On 3 February 2021, n-Lingual, the language exchange Registered Student Organization (RSO) at George Mason University Korea, hosted their very first winter session to the new visiting professors from the Fairfax campus. From that time, n-Lingual has provided separate sessions to international students and professors with four sessions each. The themes of the sessions were introducing yourself in Korean; public transportation in Korea; ordering food in Korean, and a Q&A session with upcoming language classes in the Spring 2021 semester.
As a new semester at Mason Korea started on 22 February 2021, students and professors visiting from the Fairfax campus were excited for their fresh start on the Korea campus. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they were required to endure a mandatory two-week quarantine period after their arrival date. Despite these challenges, to give them the overall picture of their life in South Korea, n-Lingual hosted info sessions via Zoom. Taking n-Lingual’s winter sessions, the new onboarding students and professors could get one step closer to understanding life in Korea.
Established in the Fall 2020 semester, n-Lingual offers language classes to both Korean and international students to alleviate the language barrier that existed. As “n” from its name indicates no fixed number of languages, students can learn and teach different languages to each other. In their previous language classes in the Fall 2020 semester, language instructors or ‘supporters’ held classes for those who wish to learn basic Korean expressions or useful English idioms. However, the contents for winter sessions were different from the regular classes. In the winter sessions, n-Lingual provided more practical Korean expressions and cultural differences to help participants adjust toSouth Korea better and much easier in a short period of time.
n-Lingual's winter sessions were unique from other RSO’s info sessions. As those sessions took place in a free discussion, students and professors could ask any questions and share their ideas freely during the sessions. Furthermore, some students currently at the Fairfax campus showed their interest in n-Lingual through Mason 360 website and contacted them via email. Thanks to the format of the sessions, they also could participate in these sessions virtually. One of the participants commented, “Although I have been here [Korea] before,there is always something new to learn and experience.” Another professor also expressed his appreciation for arranging these sessions for them as he could learn some basic Korean expressions and cultural differences in advance. After the last session, both of them approached n-Lingual to take n-Lingual’s Korean class during the semester to improve their language skills.
While n-Lingual’s winter sessions couldnot cover all the aspects of the Korean language and culture, this is just the mark of the beginning of their activity. As the Spring 2021 semester starts, n-Lingual will open more language exchange classes to both students and professors. Despite a short period of time, n-Lingual is expanding its classes and activitiesto the Fairfax campus as well. For the Spring 2021 semester, n-Lingual is going to open four Korean classes, three English classes, one Fairfax online class for students as well as more personal tutoring classes for professors. It is expected to see their role as the bridge between international students and domestic students in both the Fairfax and the Korea campus.
For any inquiries and interest on the upcoming events and classes, please approach n-Lingual via nlingual2020@gmail.com or check their Instagram (@ n_lingual_gmu).
Written by Jeongeun An | Staff Writer
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