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Eunbeen Kouh

Meet Eunbeen from Gimpo near Seoul who joined us for the Summer English Course in 2024.

Eunbeen

What country and town are you from and where do you study?


I’m from South Korea and live in a city called Gimpo which is close to Seoul.

I study at Hanyang University in Seoul.

Why did you choose to study the Summer English Course?


First, I was curious about the language native English speakers use in everyday life and wanted to improve my conversational skills.

I also wanted to clearly express and convey my thoughts and opinions in English.

The most appealing aspect of this Summer English Course was its well-structured programme with small class sizes.

I thought it would be easier to provide individuals with detailed feedback in real-time during the class, and I believed this course would be a great opportunity to enhance and apply my English communication skills.

One of the reasons I chose UCL is because it is one of the oldest universities in London and consistently ranks highly.

Additionally, UCL is located in the heart of London, providing easy daily access to British culture, art and history.

Having the opportunity to study at UCL, even for a short period, was a great experience for me.

What are the main differences between studying in your university and studying at UCL?


Unlike my university, UCL often involves working in groups or pairs.

The process of answering questions on assignment papers also involves talking over ideas with classmates, which provides more opportunities to converse in English with others. 

Furthermore, it was also special that one course at UCL covers a wide range of areas in English, including discussion, dictation, listening, speaking, writing and even culture.

I always had to get used to deeply considering the teacher’s questions and expressing my thoughts in English, no matter what. 

Do you have any personal highlights from the course and why?


One of the highlights for me was the class focused on the British accent, stress, pausing and chunking. I developed skills to speak more like a native speaker, which was very helpful in addressing aspects I had been overlooking.

During the UCL Summer English Course, I visited many places, but I particularly enjoyed the trips to Tower Bridge and the Tate Modern.

The trip to Tower Bridge was a great opportunity to meet and connect with diverse friends taking the same course while exploring a famous landmark.

At the Tate Modern, the guide's explanations of the main artworks helped me understand them better. 

On the days when I visited places in London with UCL, I was able to learn about the location’s culture and history during class. Having background knowledge before visiting made the experience more impactful and memorable.

Which skills have you developed during the course?


As mentioned above, I was able to develop many communication and English language skills because I had enough opportunities to speak in English every day in class.

Moreover, I learned how to create questionnaires for collecting information from real people as part of the research process. I gained experience in various stages, from setting up the research topic to conducting surveys, writing reports and delivering presentations.

Is there anything you enjoyed doing during your free time? 


After class each afternoon, I visited various landmarks in London. I explored museums and art galleries, went shopping, and spent leisure time reading books in parks, jogging or just relaxing.

On weekends, I took short trips to nearby places like Oxford and Bath.

I also cooked dinner with new friends in our accommodation.

What advice would you give to future Summer English Course students?


My advice for future Summer English Course students is to make the most of each day by exploring, meeting new people, and embracing new experiences.

It’s important to have enough energy to balance attending classes, doing assignments, and enjoying your free time.

Managing your time and energy effectively will help you fully benefit from the course.

Also, try to use English as much as possible during the Summer English Course.