For two hours, a dozen participants of different skill levels fought off the wind chill and cold weather to participate in a challenging game of soccer. Soccer is a game that is known and played all over the world and there was a universal understanding between the Korean and American players. Korean born NNU business administration major, Brian Clemmons said, “When I first played with them [Koreans] a few weeks ago, it was as if I had known them forever. Sometimes it’s difficult to communicate in the classroom, but getting out and playing soccer broke down all language barriers.”

The relationships between the KNU and NNU students are growing both on the field and in the classroom. “Social interaction with the KNU students is great practice for what the future holds. Learning about other cultures and communicating will be a key aspect to success in the business world,” Clemmons said.  KNU student Chulho Choi says his time at Northwest Nazarene has been fun and memorable and he will miss his friends at NNU when he returns to Seoul.

Many people struggle to succeed in cross-cultural communication for a number of different reasons. However, at Northwest Nazarene University, students are taking steps, in the classroom and on the field to be welcoming and understanding of other cultures. Although there will always be barriers to communication, nothing can interrupt the universal language of sports.

Article and Pictures contributed by Brian Clemmons