Differences and similarities between Korea and America

Many people come to America with various reasons. Some are for their studies; some are for their language practice; some are for their business or tour; others move to America for realization of their dream, so-called for American dream. However, due to many different aspects from their countries, they are so much embarrassed. In my case, I could feel many differences from my country, Korea. There are a few similarities between Korea and America, of course. Even though there are both sides of differences and similarities between Korea and America, they have far more differences than similarities.

First of all, there is obvious difference in their history. American history is short compared with Korean’s. even if we suppose that the beginning of American history was from 1492 when Christopher Columbus discovered America, American history is about five hundreds years. In contrast, Korean history can extend thousands of years. Actually, first Korean countries established from B.C10 century before. However, there is a interesting similarity in their histories. For example, it is a fact that there was a war between south and north sides. American call that Civil War which was for freedom of the slaves, and Korean call that Korean War in which South and North Korea fought for their politic ideologies: capitalism versus communism.

Secondly, some differences lie in their politic systems. Although there are some similarities in their politic systems such as a presidential system, separation of the three powers, and capitalism, they have more differences than similarities. For instance, while the United States has vice-president, Korea has prime minister instead of that. Unlike Korea, the U.S.A. is federalism country. The U.S.A has both houses of congress: the senate and the representative but Korea has only one congress. They have some differences in these respects of existence of vice-president, federalism or not, and both houses of congress or not.

Furthermore, they are quite different in their languages. First, a lot of languages are being spoken in America such as English, Spanish, Chinese and so on but only one language is being used in Korea. Second, we can find difference in language structure. For example, while a subject is followed by a verb in English, a subject is followed by a object or a complement in Korean. Also, their origins of letters are different. The alphabet of English came from Greek or Latin but Korean alphabet was invented by King Sejong about 14century.

The composition of nation is very different. American consist of a lot of races: black, white, and yellow people but Korean are only yellow. Unlike Korea, the American came from so many countries. Actually, they are from all over the world. As a result of that, the U.S.A has multi-culture but Korea has only one national culture.

As we see above, while there are a few similarities between the U.S.A and Korea, there are much more differences. They are different in their histories, politic systems, languages, and composition of people. If we know differences well between our countries and the U.S.A, I am sure that every one will success a immigrant life including successful future.