Full of latin power, Pedro is one of best friend I found in South Korea. He is cheerful, smart, and fortunally bad at go just like me: we had memorable and endless games. I also had the chance to know him even better when we travelled around South Korea, and I really have to say that the travel was a great success for his irreplaceable cooperation, so don't miss his interview.

Leonardo: What about you and your life besides go?
Pedro: I'm Pedro Carmona, 24 years old from Queluz (Lisbon), Portugal. I've a degree in Physiotherapy and a post graduation in Sports Physical Therapy, and I work in sport clubs and clinics. I love to play soccer, watch movies and go to the beach with my friends.

Leonardo: How did you start to play go and how is your go life?
Pedro: Five years ago my cousin heard about the game in a sci-fi book, then he searched for more info and how to play until we found the Portugal Go Association and we took part to the Championship. From that moment, we had the chance to meet in a kind of club in Lisbon almost every week, usually around 4 people attended. At the end of 2005 I took part to the London Tournament with a big group of friends from Portugal and it was my first big tournament abroad. As results it wasn't so good, but I learned a lot about the game and also in experience. Then I went to China for the World Mind Sports Games in men individual, where I got 3/6 wins and I came 15th in my group, and men teams in 2008. I also like to read books and play online on KGS. In my country I'm in the top 5 players and my rank is actually 2k.

Leonardo: Tell me about your adventure at KBC and in South Korea
Pedro: A friend from Portugal told me about it and I searched more info on the Internet and sent my application. The school is very nice, teachers are very strong and make us work hard, and the other Korean guys are very important in daily life. It makes me improve playing with different people of different strength and style. One of the reason I came here is also to learn how to improve, an the schedule made me understand it, and I also think I improved. To play and study the location is very calm and nice, but sometimes when you would like to have fun there are not many things to do. It's a really fantastic experience to live with people of different cultures, languages, and we can learn a lot from this differences. Korea probably is the best place to stay and study baduk, also according to other friends who went to Japan, because I can really feel at home. I also got the chance to travel a little inside Korea and found fantastic people, and even if you are in a eastern country you can manage better than other places, feel at home. Regard baduk, visiting Hankuk Kiwon and living with professional players make me understand what being a pro mean, and I like this way of life. Touring Korea also was worth it because of many different places, deep culture and a view of what Korea is, giving you a open mind of other places. I really recommend people who want to know what is the go student lifestyle this experience.

Leonardo: Plans for the future
Pedro: Talking about baduk, I want to improve and become the Portuguese Champion. I also want to teach go to the others, enjoy the game and share my knowledge. If I get another chance like this, I'd like to take it and study again, but I don't want to live with go, because I enjoy my work a lot, so I'd like to continue with my job in Portugal or abroad, which will give me also the chance to meet more players.