Dear ____,

On behalf of the staff at Asia University, I would like to  formally congratulate you on your acceptance to Asia's most prestigious educational institution, Asia University. More than 23,000 high school seniors applied for one of 200 spots. You should feel proud to be one of the few selected  amongst other equally impressive applicants.

I've read this letter hundreds of times, but I still couldn't believe it! Neither could my parents. At first, they objected to the very idea of me applying to a school out of the country, but after incessant persuasion on my side (and the very generous scholarship they bestowed me) we reached a consensus. I was going. I was going to Asia University.  

I was looking forward to orientation and meeting my roommate in person. I spoke to SoHee over the phone using KakaoTalk, and we chatted a lot via facebook messenger. She seemed to be a down-to-Earth kind of gal so I didn't doubt we were going to be the best of friends throughout my time at Asia University.

Sigh...Asia! I just can't get over how unreal this is! I know some Chinese and Japanese, but not a lot of Korean, so it will take some time getting settled at Asia University, especially since its main campus is grounded in Seoul, Korea. 

And then there is that...

I've heard some things, mostly bad, about how Koreans view people with my skin color. Yeah sure, they love Beyonce, but I'm not Beyonce. I'm just ____ and I can't dance like Beyonce and I definitely don't have her body. However, SoHee assured me that not all Koreans are like that. It's just something having to do with their culture and lighter skin has always been preferred over skin like mine. But, being the optimistic individual I am, I will try not to let anyone who doesn't like me because of the color of my skin get me down! 

Hm...

There's something else I've been feeling anxious about as well...in my whole eighteen years of life I've never had a boyfriend or been on a date. I hope that I can have fun and experience dating in college.

Maybe I can pick up a cute Korean boy during my time in Seoul. ;)

FEATURED CHARACTERS:

Im JaeBum

Status: Freshman

Major: Undeclared

Minor: Photography

Kim HaeSol

Status: Senior

Major: Visual Communication

Minor: Recording Arts Technology

Bang Yongguk

Status: Junior

Major: English

Minor: African-American Studies

Miura Haruma

Status: Junior

Major: Business Management

Minor: Film

Kim JaeSeop

Status: Sophomore

Major: Computer Engineering

Minor: Mathematics

Wu Yifan

Status: Sophomore

Major: Physical Therapy

Minor: English Literature

Jung Ilhoon

Status: Freshman

Major: Undeclared

Minor: Undeclared