Heejune Lee is from South Korea, and studied at ELC Santa Barbara for three weeks in our English Plus Surfing Program. Even though she was only here for a brief period of time her intellect and willingness to learn made her become fast friends with the students and staff. One of her best qualities was adapting from such a big culture and and becoming a true Santa Barbarian.
Where were you born and raised? Give us a mental picture of the place(s).
Heejune was born born and raised in South Korea. Her hometown is named Ilsan and is located near Seoul, a little more than an hour away. There are a lot of flowers and parks in Ilsan. It is very beautiful and peaceful.
What do you do for fun? What are your hobbies?
Heejune’s oldest hobbies are playing the piano and skiing. However, after her stay in Santa Barbara her new favorite hobby is surfing. Many of her friends at ELC SB have commented about her turning from a beginner to a pro.
What is your special talent?
Her special talent is being a positive person. She believes this is the secret for living a good life.
What is your profession? What do you like about it?
Heejune starts her first day of work on July 9th! She is very excited to working at Samsung, her major was electronics and she will use this degree to design phones for the company. She is worried that she will have to give up her Iphone when she starts work.
Tell us about your family, do you have kids? Siblings? Do they live close to you?
She has two brothers and is the middle child herself. Unfortunately, she is no longer familiar with her older brother do to his bullying when she was young. However, she loves her younger brother and are very close.
Why did you choose to study English in Santa Barbara? Did you consider other options?
Her criteria was scenery and having a beach. She really wanted to take part of ocean activities such a surfing. She was also happy about the fact that ELC SB classrooms were all on the first floor, and that SB didn’t have any skyscrapers. She also loved the trees, beaches and how kind the people are.
What are all the ways that Santa Barbara is different than your city/town?
Unlike Santa Barbara there are too many apartments and people in Ilsan.
What were you most surprised to learn about the US or Santa Barbara? Did you experience any culture shock?
Heejune was not shocked. She loved the difference from South Korea to Santa Barbara. Sometimes random strangers just walking by would randomly talk to her and tell her “I love your hair”.
What do you miss most about your country?
Because she was only here for three weeks she didn’t feel like she missed out on anything from South Korea.
What are your top three favorite places in Santa Barbara?
Her favorite places we’re:
1. West beach, where she had her surf lessons and played beach volleyball with her friends
2. The pier where she got to go to one of her favorite activities, which was wine tasting
3. Her house with her homestay family
Where have you found the best food from your country in Santa Barbara?
Tacos 🙂 She loved Taco Tuesday at Paseo Nuevo where she could eat unlimited tacos.
Favorite moment in class at ELC:
Her favorite classes we’re taught by Melissa, she believed that she was the best teacher at the ELC. Her favorite thing to do in class was practicing communications in groups.
Favorite activity at ELC:
Heejune’s favorite activity with the ELC was wine tasting. She thoroughly enjoyed the Boat House on the pier. Her favorite wine was the white wine.
What are some tips you have for people who want to learn English?
Simply to talk as much as possible
What are your plans after ELC?
Her only plans so far are to enter the Samsung company. Although if it were up to her she would stay in Santa Barbara forever.
