Park Bo-na is very impressed by the manners of Chinese men. "Young men in Qingdao are very hospitable. They always help me when I have difficulties. I have made many Chinese friends," says the 22-year-old Consul-General secretary of the Republic of Korea's Consulate in Qingdao.

Since arriving in the seaside city nine years ago, Park has participated in many cultural activities like the Confucius Cultural Festival and has been to both the Laoshan and Taishan mountains.

"In Korea, everyone knows Confucius, even the little kids. Confucian culture has a deep influence both in China and Korea," Park says.

Park moved to Qingdao with her mother and little sister almost a decade ago.

"We have no problems in our life. We watch Korean TV shows at home and buy Korean food and clothes in the shops," she says.

However, one thing frustrates her. Even though in China, her Chinese hasn't improved much.

"There are so many Koreans in Qingdao that most of the time I speak Korean. So my Chinese is not very good," she says.

However, Park is very proud of her little sister Park Li-na's "terrific" Chinese. She studies at the Number 59 Middle School with Chinese students. After school, a Chinese tutor helps her with homework.

Park took part in the Chinese national college entrance exam after she finished three years' study at the International Department of Qingdao Bai Shan Private School. She then enrolled in the Costume Design Department of Qingdao University, a key university in Shandong.

Park intends to continue her costume design studies and find a job in the industry in the future.

"The rapid development of China's economy makes the relationship between China and South Korea closer. Many Koreans are optimistic about doing business in China," she says.

The economic cooperation between China and South Korea brings new opportunities to young Koreans.

In South Korea, the competition for jobs is fierce. It is not easy to find a good job even for students graduating from Seoul National University. Therefore, many young Koreans are now looking to China for job opportunities, she says.

A growing number of Korean students choose to study in China. Currently, there are many international schools recruiting Korean students in Qingdao, Weihai, Yantai and other cities of Shandong.

According to the ROK Consulate in Qingdao, the total number of South Korean students in Shandong has reached nearly 8,000, among whom 5,000 are studying in Qingdao.

"I have got used to the life in Qingdao and intend to live here a long time," Park says. "Qingdao is my second hometown."

(China Daily December 24, 2007)