The Foreigner Next Door: Doaa Ghareeb
Video by David Cowger
It’s a hazy Sunday afternoon, discontent skies holding back a storm, and downtown seems subdued. A gaggle of foreigners flood the basement of a newly-opened café – not an uncommon sight in and of itself. No one needs an excuse for a frothy, sugary drink and a comfy chair.
But this group is different. Surrounding tables of Koreans pause to ponder them. Not just foreigners but Koreans too, paired up fairly evenly in casual clusters. No whiteboards or rote drills, yet the atmosphere is unmistakably studious. A lively, slightly frenzied woman darts among them checking progress and mediating confusion.
This is the Gwangju Korean Learners’ Club (GKLC), and the woman is Doaa Ghareeb. She’s not imposing, but Doaa’s clearly in charge.
“When it comes to studying, I’m very lazy,” Doaa laughs brashly. “So I thought, what about having a group and encouraging each other to learn more about Korean culture and Korean language and maybe spread out our relationships with Koreans —– and with foreigners as well?”
Sang-hee Shin (신상희) – an intern at City Hall, recent Chosun University grad, and club teacher – pauses to find the best adjectives for it. “It’s great and convenient,” she grins over the din. “It’s a fun opportunity to hang out and practice English and Korean.”
David Martie, an emigrant fresh from the U.S. and a GKLC member for a little over a month, agrees. “It’s a good way to force myself to keep studying, and I can actually ask people directly if I have questions and not just keep reinforcing bad Korean speaking habits.”
By the looks of it, Doaa’s club is a success. About 30 foreigners and Koreans – students and teachers, both – study animatedly, flipping through textbooks of their choice and scribbling down notes in stationary store journals. But that’s not how it all started.
Doaa, an Egyptian from Cairo, has lived in Gwangju on and off for several years. Her young daughter grew up here and speaks Korean fluently. She was Doaa’s first tutor, and from there the idea for a causal Korean language club grew.
Friends complained that they weren’t satisfied with their other language courses (usually through local universities). The emphasis on strict grammar and vocabulary memorization was overwhelming and their chances to practice their speaking skills were minimal. Doaa recognized the need for a practical speaking class.
“We can do that on our own for free with lots of cool Korean teachers.” She motions around the tables. “Beyond just their time and effort, they prepare lots of things about Korean culture, food, anything —– they really help you to understand it.”
GKLC meets every Sunday at 5pm and follows up class with dinner at various restaurants. If people aren’t too tired, they end the night was with darts, bowling, or more café time.
Next on Doaa’s to-do list is cultivating her new volunteer network, Heart of Gold. They currently work with a local orphanage and have plans to expand to senior citizens’ centers, disabilities centers, and homeless shelters. But right now they’re struggling to increase membership.
Doaa admits that she tends to form huge, unrealistic plans but doesn’t apologize for her positive ambition. “I hope that —– for the language class —– it’s not just about learning the language. It’s about better communication between foreigners and Koreans. Since we are here in Korea we have to learn the language, we have to learn the culture. We have to respect the differences between us and them.” She smiles, broad and genuine. “It’s important, when you are in a community, to make a change. If everyone takes care of a small part, it will change a lot.”
If you want to learn more or get involved with Doaa’s clubs, please check out: