In August, ‘the student club of entrepreneurship in Jeonbuk University (Le Club d’entrepreneuriat des étudiants de l’université Jeonbuk)’ of the Department of French Studies was selected for AUF (Francophone University Agency). AUF is one of the largest associations in the world for higher education and research institutions. The JBNU Globe met Cho Woon-ju, who is the president of the French entrepreneurship club.
| *The AUF encompasses 944 universities, colleges, university networks and scientific research centers that use the French language, in 116 countries. |
● Going to the Department of French Studies and Experiencing Various Activities
Cho describes herself as a “workman”. As she gained various experiences, she began to want a deeper meaning in life, and decided to change her life at the age of fourteen. First, she quit public school and started homeschooling. After passing the GED (General Equivalency Diploma), she took the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) to get into college at the mere age of sixteen. At the time, Cho was fascinated by French while also experiencing English interpretation in the Youth Peace Travel Team. "I have always been curious about other parts of the world. Back then, I thought that language could connect me to new worlds”. Cho commented.
Cho came across the AUF project through a department notice and challenged like minded people around her to join. As she worked on the project, she became more ambitious and affectionate about the project as she understood it more in detail.
Cho said that “The attempt to establish an AUF club network for the first time in Korea is itself a huge accomplishment. By expanding and laying the foundation for this project, I hope that this will create good opportunities for all French learners”. While working in the club, Cho participated in the 1st first Francophone Student Leaders Meeting hosted by AUF. The meeting was held in Cairo, Egypt. At the first student leaders' meeting, AUF planned an exchange platform between Asia and Africa with the African student clubs they encountered in Cairo.
After visiting Cairo, Cho discovered a vision for the Department of French Studies. Previously, while studying French, she only felt that it was an especially beautiful language. She did not realize how much French was internationally acceptable and useful. However, by meeting one hundred students from sixty countries around the world in Cairo, communicating in French and interacting with the world, she felt that the scope of her experience was expanded.
● Meeting Diverse People
Cho attended the conference of club representatives of AUF in Egypt as the president of the JBNU club. It was a long flight to Egypt but the trip was enjoyable for Cho. At the conference, she mainly introduced her club to the others and had exchanges with the other clubs. “I think this project has significance in gathering like-minded people together,” Cho stated. She also had opportunities to listen to experts in leadership and entrepreneurship at the workshop. “It was such a valuable experience for our club to participate in this global conference.”
Cho also interprets and translates from French to Korean, and vice versa. She was overjoyed to get a part-time job in interpretation and translation because she has always been passionate about it. The job was recommended by her department. She is currently working as a coordinator on a project with Morocco at the Jeollanam-do Office of Education.
Cho had good memories working in interpretation and translation. Recently, she guided a Jeonju Hanok Village tour and interpreted for people who came from Morocco. The Moroccon group came for the National Intangible Heritage Center. One of the visitors Cho guided introduced his daughter to her, who is studying in Paris. Cho and the daughter are communicating through a messenger app and recently met via a video call. It was a great memory for her. “It’s truly amazing that we met. I’m planning to go to Paris as an exchange student, and I also hope to meet her in Paris,” Cho said.
“I want to be happy doing what I love,” Cho stated. People do the things that they don't want to do when others have a desire for them to live up to their expectations. “Whenever that happens, I ask myself what I want, why I want to do it, and whether it is for me.” By asking herself these three questions, she hopes to ultimately find something that she can be satisfied with.
| Han Hee-jeong Editor, Jo Soo-jin Reporter