Boram CP #1

I met with Bruce and Joel in the library to talk about the difference between American culture and South Korean culture.  
  
       Firstly, we talked about campus life. When a Korean student enters a university, there is an orientation for welcoming and introducing each other like a boot camp in the United States. During the orientation, they usually drink a large amount of alcohols and there exists peer pressure among the students. Many college freshmen die from excess alcohol consumption. This problem with alcohol occurs all over the country in work, families, and colleges.  Likewise, many office workers get stressed for this kind of problem as well. It is no secret that the drinking culture at work has reached a dangerous situation because they were often pressed to drink more than they could handle.  Bruce and Joel told me that many American students casually drink alcohol but not under peer pressure. However, similar drinking culture could be found among fraternities and sororities in America. 
      Also, there was a big dissimilar view on the drug problem. Unlike South Korea, many American students can be easily exposed to drugs and it is not rare to see someone who is addicted to drugs. Joel told me that a few students in school deal with drugs and sometimes offer drugs to other students at school but they are not forced to do it. Students are faced with different options. On the other hand, meeting someone who's using drugs in Korea is extremely rare. Thus, there is very strict anti-law about drug users in Korea.
      Lastly, the medical insurance system is also totally different. While the medical care in Korea generally affordable, the medical payment in America is expensive and various in the range. Bruce and Joel told me that hospitals charge a different amount of money to get treated depending on one’s medical insurance. Many poor people do not go to see the doctor due to the medical coverage.


I was very pleased to talk with Bruce and Joel and it was helpful.