Seoyun (Sem 1 + Sem 2, 2023)

My Exchange at Seoul National University

Before going to my exchange, especially in Korea, I think having a small meet-up with past exchange students would be nice. It could help them share their stories and interact with other UoA students to become close. It was quite difficult to ask for advice when I first arrived at SNU because I didn’t know many people in Korea. It would’ve been nice to know someone who already studied there and get close to them before so that it isn’t difficult to text them about small questions. Not only past students, but I feel like while we are at the exchange, it is quite difficult to get to know fellow UoA students who are also going to the same country or school, so I think it would’ve been nice to know if there are any small gatherings or hangouts among the students.

The SNU campus and dorm was really nice; however, the SNU campus is so big! Walking from one class to another takes minimum 10~15 minutes so I think it would be really good to choose classes that are close or have around a 30 minute gap between classes if they are too far! Also, SNU doesn’t have tutorials and have either 1 hour and 15 minute classes or 3 hour classes. The 3 hour classes can get quite boring so it is important to always have a coffee or maybe have a small snack that you can eat during the 10 minute break to wake you up. They also don’t record the classes like UoA so if you feel like it is difficult to understand the content, take photos or record the lecture in audio so that you can listen to it again when you feel lost.

Q&A

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

Because I am Korean, I was also able to take not only English but also Korean language classes. This helped me not only improve my Korean skills but also open the spectrum of my learning. Communications didn’t have a lot of English classes, so it was pretty limited. Also, because the class is very small, we can discuss amongst classmates and with the professor, which helped broaden our point of view and allowed us to learn from others. It also created a nice atmosphere where we could email our professors without feeling nervous or being ignored.

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

I think I would really recommend doing SNU Buddy, which is a programme where SNU students hold ceremonies or go to famous Korean places and guide you around. You can also have small meet-ups with your group to have lunch etc., which can help you make more Korean and exchange friends. Without this programme, it would be quite difficult to make other exchange friends. I would also recommend joining a club which speaks English. Not only making friends with exchange students, through the clubs, you can also become friends with actual SNU students there which is quite exciting.

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

1. Sign up for the dorms (either the 915 double room or single room), but also have a Plan B. I have seen some of my friends who didn’t get accepted to the dorms because many students signed up for it. Therefore, I think it is really important to have another place in mind. For example, a lot of my friends stayed at the 고시원 (gosiwon) around SNU station. It isn’t the best place, but it is quite cheap compared to the flats that they have in Korea. So I might recommend staying there.

2. SNU has shuttle buses so you don’t have to waste money on buses!! At first, I didn’t know there were shuttle buses so I was always paying for my rides etc. SNU campus is very big so if you pay for all your bus rides, it may get quite expensive. Therefore, there are many shuttle buses around the campus so it is good to look for those stops and ride them for free. It can save you a lot of money! There is also one that goes from SNU station to the campus.

3. Sign up for SNU Buddy!!! In the first semester, I didn’t sign up for it because I didn’t really know what it was. However, I really regret that I didn’t do it in Semester 1 because after doing it in Semester 2, I realised how fun it was. You can make so many friends and go do so many exciting things. I really recommend!!!!

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?

Because I did part-time for around a year and saved over $5000, the budget wasn’t so bad. However, the dorm fees, the bus fees, the phone bill, and food can use up a lot of money. I think I saved a lot of money by eating cheap food, but I don’t believe that is good for your health. I think it is essential to eat healthy food, so I guess having around $5000 would be good, as well as having a monthly income or money being provided for your other fees like your housing fee, etc.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

When I entered University, I thought I was an adult ready to work. However, after living alone in another country for around a year, I have learned that I was still a kid. I learnt so many adult things that I was pretty overwhelmed at first. However, it helped me save my budget, etc. I realised that there are still many things that I need to learn and experience for me to become an actual adult/ business person. I also realised that to get something, I need to try. Just staying in my room all day won’t fix anything. I tried my best to get outside the box and live differently. I tried to force myself to make new friends and go to new places. This helped me make more fun experiences and friends which I will never forget about.

Final Comments

It is okay to feel nervous and scared when you are preparing for your exchange. When you arrive in your host country, it might feel weird for the first few weeks. However, I know it will be the best experience ever, so go outside your box and do everything you want! Learn new activities, make new friends, and go to new places! Live like there is no tomorrow because nobody is stopping you. It will be one of the best experiences you would’ve ever had. Enjoy it.