After my first class in KDI School, my new friend walked up to me and asked enthusiastically; do you know Kalenga, my friend from Africa? That was the most ridiculous question I have heard in a long while. Yes, we are in 2014 but many people still hold misconceptions, myths, stereotypes and prejudices about others from other countries and cultures. Most of them are simply due to limited knowledge about other cultures. As result I have complied some myths, stereotypes, prejudices and weird questions KDIS students asked each other. This would help dispel some of the cultural misconceptions.   

Myths, stereotypes and prejudices international students had about Korea prior to arrival

 “All Korean look alike and I cannot differentiate one from another”

“Korea is not a safe country because of the tension with North Korea.”

“I was told I will be forced to eat frogs, snails and other strange meals. The reality is that Korea has a lot of delicious dishes which I would definitely miss when I go back home.”

“Korean martial arts (Taekwondo) fighters can jump very high and run on trees”

“Korea is a patrimonial country and man dominates. Now I know it is not true because even the President is a woman.”

 “I thought I would struggle finding a familiar food in Korea, but rice, chicken, bread, milk, beef are here in abundance”

“Koreans are very short, but I realized it is not true”

“I heard that Korean foods are very strange and that no foreigner can eat it. Now Kimchi and bibimbap are my favorite food, and all the Korean seafood are amazing.”

“I thought all Koreans were ‘electronic gadget freaks’ and unfriendly people. Now after more than 3 months in Korea, I realized Koreans are very nice people and helpful.”

 “Korea is a developing country”

 “Koreans don''t like people from other Asian countries”

“Korean people are very polite. They bow to everybody and do not speak out in class as a sign of respect to the professor”

“Koreans eat a lot of rice. Every food has some rice element. I bought a tea bag only to discover it had rice taste.”

“All Koreans are very good with mathematics”

“Hangul is a very difficult language to learn”

“All Korean ladies are slim”

“Koreans are very competitive. I see it in class and in their desire to do well in all tasks.”

Weird and ludicrous questions international students were asked

“The weirdest question I have encountered yet is about my religion. Someone asked me what being a Christian is about. It’s not really weird but I guess I was just surprised that not everyone knows about Christianity.”

''''So are there no graduate Schools in Africa?”

“You still don’t have a girlfriend at your age?”

“Why are you using the hijab?”

“You basically only listen to mariachi or salsa.”

“Are the spiritual powers in Nigerian movies real?”

“Don’t you feel hot in the Hijab?”

“Are Chinese allowed to do business freely?”

“Is it really true that an Arabian woman couldn''t drive a car without covering their heads?”

“Are there lions on the street?”

“Is your language similar with that of Saudi Arabia’s language?”

“You are Muslim, so you don''t like to eat beef like Indian people?”

“You are Latino, you all have overbearing moms.”

“Do you co-habit with baboons and chimpanzees in your country?”

“Where is Palestine?” (Thanks to Korea and the KDIS for the opportunity to introduce my country to many people from different countries)

“Do you have clean water in your country?

“Is Africa one country?”

“Can you teach me how to dance salsa? You must be an amazing dancer right”

"What is Africa''s flag?"

“Are you really from Africa? You are light skinned.”

“Why do Africans like to wear colorful clothes?”

KDI School has created a unique international environment for students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, learn about each other and work together. Through several field trips, group works, presentations, home visiting program, buddy programs, sporting and club events, these cultural barriers have been broken.  We are now more than friends. Lucky Dube, the renowned reggae artiste sums it up perfectly with his hit song titled “Different colors, one people.”