2015-09-23 16:19:43
김성수
안녕하세요.
어학연수를 시트러스 칼리지에 다녀온 사람입니다.
후기를 남겨 보려고 합니다.
제가 다녀온 곳은 시트러스 칼리지구요. 캘리포니아에 위치하여 있습니다.
그리고 프로그램의 이름은 일반영어프로그램 (주20시간) (General English Program (20hrs/wk)) 이며 18 주 동안 다녀오게 되었습니다.
처음에는 루체른 대학교와 고민을 하다가 위치적인 부분도 그렇고 학교가 마음에 들어서 이 곳을 선택하게 되었습니다.
일단 저를 간략하게 소개를 하자면 저는 영어를 잘 하지 못하는 평범한 대한민국의 사람입니다.
어려서부터 주입식으로 영어를 배우긴 했지만 영어를 사용하려고 하면 머릿속에 멤돌고 당췌 입으로 잘 나오지 않았습니다.
그 부분이 너무 스트레스였고 사회생활 하는데도 너무 힘들더라구요.
그래서 선택한 프로그램 이었습니다.
이 프로그램의 장점은 초급부터 고급까지 있는 프로그램은 각 수업에 15명 이하의 학생들과 9개의 레벨로 진행된다는 점입니다.
처음에 학교에 수업을 참석 하게 되면 일단 내 레벨이 어느 것인지 알게 되는 것 부터 시작이 됩니다.
그 부분이 제일 마음에 들었던거 같아요.
한국에서 어학원이나 영어 학원에 다녔는데 레벨이 많이 다르지 않아서 누구는 잘하고 누구는 잘 따라 오지 못하는 경우가 많았는데,
잘따라 오지 못하는 케이스가 저 였습니다. 일단은 낮은 레벨로 시작하여 나중에는 올라갈 수 있었습니다.
저랑 같이 수업을 받던 친구들도 각 나라에서 온 친구들이 었는데 레벨도 비슷하다보니 도움을 주고 도움을 받기도 했습니다.
그리고 같이 수업 과제를 하면서 친해지며 영어도 많이 늘었던거 같아요.
영어를 배우러 갔지만 외국인에 대한 어려움을 없애기 위해서 간 것도 있으니까요 좋았습니다.
학습 워크샵은 발음 클리닉, 회화 클럽, 숙제 지원, 컴퓨터 실 등을 포함하여 주 당 다양한 학습 옵션을 제공받고 핵심 수업은 말하기, 듣기, 읽기와 쓰기에 초점을 두고 있습니다. English Everywhere 프로그램은 학생의 학습 과정에서 호스트
패밀리, 활동 가이드와 직원과 새로운 환경과 상황에서 영어를 사용할 수 있도록 한 학기당 Language Extension 활동에 관련하여 매주
핫 시트를 포함하였습니다.
체계적인 거 같아서 너무 좋았습니다.
숙박에 관해서는 홈스테이와 학생 아파트가 있었지만 저는 자립심을 키우고 그리고 친구들을 더 많이 사귀기 위해서 학생 아파트를 선택하였고
많은 학생들도 그렇게 선택을 하더라구요. 그래서 같이 수업 들었던 친구들이 같은 동이라서 친하게 지낼 수 있었습니다.
메인 캠퍼스에서 걸을 수 있는 거리에 있는 아파트가 위치해서 걸어 다니고 어려움이 없었습니다.
LA 근처에 위치하다보니 디즈니랜드, 유니버셜 스튜디오, 헐리우드, 베벌리 힐스 등도 가까워서 종종 시간이 나면 나가서 구경도 하고 그랬어요.
위치적으로 참 마음에 들었습니다.
원 없이 구경 하고 왔네요.
외국어로써의 영어교육에 힘쓸 뿐만 아니라 문화적 측면의 교육까지 같이 배울 수 있었던 그런 어학연수가 아니었나 생각이 됩니다.
추천합니다.
2016-12-07 17:28:39
Shun Sekiguchi
1. How are your English lessons at FLS/FLS activities/FLS center staff/FLS homestay family?
When I first started at FLS, I didn’t have many friends so I remember looking forward to FLS activities every week. English lessons at FLS were
fun but it took me a while to get used to a new teaching style in the US. I think it is true that Japanese students tend to perform very well in
grammar and reading but not in speaking and listening. There has been many moments where I wanted to express myself but I couldn’t
although many of my friends from other countries were speaking in fluent English. There was no Japanese staff at FLS Citrus College but I spoke
to Japanese staff at FLS head office on the phone when I had issues. I had issues with the first host family but FLS staff managed to find me a
new family in a timely manner. The replacement family was very nice and I still keep in touch with them.
2. How has learning English in the United States impacted your life as well as the path to college?
It is difficult to say how learning in the US impacted my life (since I am still in the process of it) but I can say that it definitely broadened my
horizon. Also, living in a different country taught me to see Japanese people and culture objectively. This realization changed the way I think
and behave. On the other hand, living in the US has made me realize some of the traits of Japanese culture that we can be proud of including
mannerism.
3. Did FLS or UPP staff assist you on your college application? If so, how?
My transfer to Citrus College from FLS Citrus College was seamless since FLS has an agreement with the college. When I had questions about
college, FLS and UPP staff was always there for me so it was very reassuring. FLS is flexible with dates so I was able to focus on brushing up my
English ability at FLS until right before college started.
4. Would you recommend FLS to your friends? Why?
Since I never studied at other language schools, I can’t compare FLS to other language schools but I recommend FLS International. FLS
International’s English class level is divided in 18 levels so you will be placed into an appropriate level. There are many elective classes offered
at FLS so I am sure that you can find a class that interests you or strengthens your weakness.
5. How is your overall experience of studying in the US so far? How was your college life? How’s your university life?
Through my experience at Citrus College and UCLA, I would say the mindset of challenging to different things and being positive are the most
crucial thing to success. Studying in US does not guarantee that your English will improve. You need to get out of your comfort zone and try
different things such as making new friends, attending club activities and participate in class. I have learned this by observing my American
classmates and friends in college and they motivated me to adjust to a new environment.
6. Was the transfer process from college to university complicated? How did you get assistance?
Most of Community Colleges in California have an agreement with California State Universities or University of California so transferring is
considerably easy. I was able to transfer most of the units I obtained in college to UCLA and a counselor at Citrus College helped me through the
process of applying for a university.
7. What do you think that it is important to succeed in college/university?
English has become a common language in global world. I believe English language ability itself will not promise you to succeed in global world.
On top your language ability, you need to have other skills such as an ability to understand the trend and predict future, and knowing how to
differentiate yourself in a group. In order to succeed in global world, time in college is limited so I do not have time to waste.
8. What are you planning to do after you graduate?
My primary goal of studying abroad is to obtain necessary English skills to become an interpreter. I have played soccer ever since I was a little
kid so I hope to be an interpreter in the field. In order to achieve my goals, I am taking Spanish classes as my third language and I am in the
process of getting a coaching license. I am sure that there will be many obstacles in my life but I will overcome them and make my dream come
true with my motto, always try your best and never give up.
