My Exchange at Seoul National University
I found out about the 360 exchange program by coincidence as I looked through the opportunities offered by the university on a whim one day, and I’m really glad that I stumbled upon the program. My first impression upon arrival was definitely not the most pleasant; my airline lost my checked-in baggage during transit, and I had to purchase a lot of living essentials for my first few days there. However, I’m really grateful for the insurance I purchased as the aforementioned scenario was covered within the insurance, and it was really helpful as it covered most of the costs I had to dish out for the essentials. But after this initial bummer, the rest of my semester has been absolutely amazing or even life-changing, you could say. The accommodation provided by the host university was great, although it took some time to get used to living in a dormitory-style. The dormitory had all the essentials, with a shared kitchen on every two floors that had microwaves and stoves, and I was fortunate enough to get into the newer dorm and had the privilege of only needing to share the shower and bathroom with only one other person. Orientation occurred on the same day as the moving-in day for the dorms, and the process took longer than usual, so I missed out on a lot of the orientation. Nevertheless, I managed to find my way around campus. The teaching style at SNU was very different compared to UoA. One of the things that I missed the most is the lecture recordings at UoA; the capacity to go back and review a difficult concept was something I always think back to as I journeyed through the semester. The style in which the content is presented was rather passive, so I definitely had my moments of struggle adapting to this new system, but in retrospect, it was a good experience as it fostered my skills of adapting to new environments.
Korea was amazing, a city where cultural artifacts and tradition are intertwined with advanced technology, creating an experience that feels so surreal. One of my favorite parts about the city is the absurd availability of convenience stores. Perhaps due to the clustered design of the city, there is bound to be a convenience store within a few hundred meters of walking almost anywhere. As the name suggests, it offers unparalleled convenience, not just offering food for when you are feeling hungry but many other life essentials, like an emergency power bank to get you through the day. The cost of living was much lower compared to Auckland, very noticeable in both the accommodation and food. I won’t comment much on the accommodation as it was offered by the university at a lower price than usual renting, but the food is about half the price compared to Auckland.
The highlight of my exchange is SNUBuddy, a club that brings together local students and exchange students. This is a club at SNU where you will be assigned a personal buddy and likewise a group consisting of many other buddies and exchange students. The club organizes many weekly events that span the entire spectrum, from cultural activities such as a temple stay to something more outdoors like kayaking in the beautiful Han River under the vivid orange of the sunset. It was unforgettable. We even had activities during exam season; albeit it was café studying, the company made the gruesome process much more tolerable. One of the things that brought me the greatest concerns prior to the exchange was making friends in Korea, but thanks to SNUBuddy, I made friends and forged bonds that I think will last a lifetime. If life is an accumulation of all the experiences you’ve had, all the places you’ve traveled, and all the people you’ve met, like some say, then the people I’ve met this spring have shaped my life permanently for the better. The diverse perspectives enriched my life in a way I did not expect; I was always learning new things, and the enjoyment of exploring a city with like-minded people brought a joy that was some of the best times of my life! As I write this with only a few days remaining in Seoul, I know I will miss this vibrant city very much, but I know I will miss the people I met here even more.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
Collaborating with people was definitely my highlight, in one of my classes I worked with other SNU students to build a book reader for the blind!
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
If you ever go on exchange to SNU joining SNUBuddy is a must! It’s a place where you will meet a lot of amazing people and it’s a great environment to make new friends!
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Always check your emails as there are quite a lot of information thrown at you and make sure to not miss them
- Attend the events hosted by the international clubs as much as you can, you will make a lot of friends!
- Have fun but try to fall behind on your university work as catching up would always be tormenting
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 didn’t have a specific budget for this exchange but the amount provided by StudyLink was able to get me through this exchange without issue.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
Always say hi and talk to new people; you can never predict the bond you will form with them!