My Exchange at Korea University
I’ve known about the 360 International Exchange programme since I started studying at UoA, and it was always something I knew I wanted to do at some point during my degree. So, in 2023, I decided that Semester One 2024 was finally going to be the time for me to undertake an exchange, and so I applied for one at Korea University. Prior to leaving for my exchange, I felt very excited and also very nervous about it. But I suppose it’s natural to feel both of those emotions, as the prospect of living in a foreign country for 5 months is quite nerve-wracking, but yet the prospect of the people I will meet and the things I will experience are very exciting.
For accommodation, I stayed in a dorm room at Anam International House, a dormitory run by Korea University. Having a roommate definitely took some adjusting to, but it worked out well. Staying at this dorm was definitely the right choice, as it was great living in such close proximity to other exchange students. The only downside to this accommodation was the hill you had to walk up to get to it from the uni or the nearby train station (but it was definitely good exercise).
The way classes are taught at Korea University is quite different from back home at UoA. At KU, attendance is mandatory and is checked, and they aren’t recorded, so it took some time to get used to the fact that you have to attend every class and that you can’t go back and rewatch lecture content. And, for my classes at least, it also took some time to get used to having 3 hour long lectures.
One highlight of my exchange was being able to see some of my favourite Kpop groups at concerts and festivals, and even being able to meet and talk to one group at a fan sign! It was amazing being able to have the opportunity to see so many artists in person, an opportunity I’d never have back home in NZ. Another highlight for me was when I went on a solo trip to Busan for one weekend. It was nice to take a break from the busyness of Seoul, and being back near the ocean was a nice reminder of home. And a challenge of my exchange was having to say goodbye to all the wonderful people I had met during my time in Korea, not knowing when I might be able to see them again.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
As I took a couple of courses about Korean culture and popular culture, learning about these things that I wouldn’t be able to back at UoA was a highlight.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
As part of the Korea University exchange programme, you’ll be put into a buddy group as part of KUBA (Korea University Buddy Assistants), with around 100 other exchange students and around 20 Korean students. Through this group, activities will be arranged such as weekly dinners and lunches, and the occasional weekend activity. I highly recommend attending these events, as they provide an amazing way to get to know other exchange students from all around the world, as well as Korean students. They provide a great opportunity to build connections and friendships with a diverse range of people.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Attend the KUBA events, as they’re a great way to meet people and make friends!
- If you don’t know any Korean, then I recommend learning the alphabet (hangul) and some basics, as it definitely helps getting by in day-to-day life in Korea.
- But most importantly, have fun!
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?
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
Learning to take on opportunities even when they are outside of my comfort zone. From the exchange itself to some of the activities hosted by KUBA, I found myself stepping out of my comfort zone, but I am glad that I took that step as it led to wonderful experiences and memories.