Hello everyone! I am a university student in Korea, and I studied at ELC (English Language Centre) in the University of New England for 10 weeks.

At ELC, my friends and teachers call me “Daisy” because I love daisy flowers, they are my favorite flowers. I want to share my feelings about my short life in Armidale.

I had an interest in English ever since I was a kid. I was trying to be a copycat of the English movie characters because English pronunciation sounds very attractive to me.

Furthermore, I wanted to communicate with more and more people in the world, so English as a language is really attractive to me. These reasons decided my major – “English literature and linguistics” – in Myongji University in Korea.

My first major is English literature and linguistics, my second major is Arabic. As you see I love to study different languages and cultures.

I wanted to study abroad, so I applied for a leave of absence from university. I finally chose UNE English Language Centre. My uncle recommended this university, because he graduated from Animal Breeding and Genetics at UNE.

I was here for a simple reason – I wanted to improve my English speaking and communication skills. The ELC curriculum was exactly what I needed so I could improve my English academic skills.

I was living in Seoul. Seoul is always crowded and people always hurry, and air pollution in Seoul was serious. So many people looked tired and exhausted. However, in Armidale, I didn’t have to hurry, or be exhausted any more. The air was always fresh, I could see the twinkle of stars and real nature – running kangaroos and koalas on the trees! These reasons made me love Armidale.

When I first came to Armidale, I was the only Korean in ELC. I came here alone without family and friends. I didn’t know anyone else in this neighborhood, so sometimes I felt lonely.

One day, I met Polly Wong at ELC chaplaincy office at morning tea time. She was such a good person. She knew I am a Christian so she introduced me to St Marks church friends in UNE.

We became good friends in no time at all.

I studied the Bible with them and worshipped at the church every Sunday.

It is great for me to able to meet people who follow Jesus and teach about Jesus, even on the other side of the world, so I didn’t feel lonely anymore.

And Armidale International Association made some travel activities for international students, so I could travel to the Guyra district with my ELC classmates to visit the Lamb and Potato Festival and some local sites for just $5.

It was good chance for me to make more friends!

Most of my classmates are Chinese. I could experience their culture, also I felt at my fingertips that China and Korea has a lot of similarities.

They were so nice, kind and warm-hearted. After this term, we are going on a trip to Sydney together!

l have been spent so many good times with my new friends in Armidale. I am really sad that I have to go back to Korea soon. Every hour at Armidale was precious to me.

I will never forget these memories in Australia. Thanks to ELC for giving me such a great opportunity to share my stories.

Yeji Kim

Courses are taught by highly qualified English language teachers.

Programs help prepare students  for further study at the University of New England (UNE), and give them the skills and knowledge needed to understand how to be successful at the university.

Staff know every student by name, and provide assistance, both inside the classroom and beyond, whether students need help renting accommodation, learning to drive a car, finding certain foods, or essentials like booking a doctor's appointment.

While at the ELC, students are part of a supportive international student network and have the opportunity to meet with native English speakers during popular lunch-time conversation sessions.

From the English Language Centre Orientation Day onwards, students have full access to all University of New England services and facilities, including: career advice, counselling, sporting facilities, the Dixson library, security and information technology.