Sunjae (Sem 2, 2023)

My Exchange at Sung Kyun Kwan University

I found out about the 360 International exchange programme through a poster located on campus somewhere. Since I had already been to Korea many times before, my first impressions of arriving at my host country was not too impressionable, however getting to my host university’s accomodation was exhilerating. It was exciting to have my own place (shared with one other roommate), and unpacking my things felt like the start of something new and fresh that I’d never done before. The courses were enjoyable, and since I had taken all my courses in English, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all my professors were very fluent in English and I had no trouble understanding the content. Life on campus was relatively quiet for me since I decided I did not want to join a club for a semester and would rather spend that time doing other experiences in Korea. After finishing my classes I usually went straight back to my dorms or went out for dinner with friends. Food-wise I did not struggle much since I like Korean food and so many things were so cheap. The highlights of my exchange include meeting my roommate, who I got along very well with, and other experiences that you can’t really have in New Zealand. Challenges included having to navigate with a lack of a Korean identification – most things I was trying to buy online such as tickets, or reservations for places required Korean identification which I did not have as a foreigner.

Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

I loved meeting and spending time with my roommate. We got along very well, fortunately, and she was probably the best part about my exchange.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

I chose not to take part in any university clubs or extracurriculars. However, I recommend attending concerts that you might be interested in or going to art exhibitions since they are relatively cheaper and occur more often in Korea.

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

1. Please have a Korean phone number.

2. Think about if you can eat Korean food on the daily.

3. Pack light when going and shop most of your things while you’re there.

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

I had a relatively free budget since I had saved up a lot before I left. It was more than enough for me, and I spent my money quite freely in going to concerts and buying clothes and pricey things as well as going out to eat often. If money is a tight issue for you, consider eating most of your meals on campus where they have cheap and healthy (and filling) options in the school cafeteria.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

I think I learnt a lot about myself, and grew a lot as a person. I was able to gain more independence and confidence in doing things by myself, attending events by myself, and taking care of issues by myself.