My Exchange at Korea University
I have known I wanted to do a semester abroad since high school, so it was actually one of the reasons I chose to come to UoA in the first place. I am happy to say it was worth it! I had a fantastic time studying at Korea University. It was an opportunity for me to grow personally and academically.
Having studied in Korea last year on the Prime Ministers Scholarship, I already had some friends in Seoul and knew my way around. I also majored in Korean studies, so I speak Korean. This helped me settle in a lot faster. However, for those worried about settling and making friends, as an exchange student, you are automatically assigned an English-speaking Korean student buddy through the KUBA (Korea University Buddy Assistant) club. They hold weekly events and dinners and are there to help you and make connections. I only attended a few, but this is an excellent opportunity for those looking for friends. One thing I am very glad I did do was join the street dance club (KUDT). Club culture at university was a culture shock, but everybody in the club was very friendly and accommodating of foreigners. You select one dance style and train in that style with the club seniors twice a week. As I have already been learning Waacking, it was great to be able to train consistently and a good way to stay active.
Speaking of staying active, the University accommodation is in a great location right next to campus. But I will warn you that the dorms are at the top of a huge hill, which was often quite daunting to climb at the end of the day. My leg muscles definitely benefited, though. You also have to share a room with one other person. In my experience, this has not been an issue as my roommate was another Kiwi, and we had similar sleep schedules. The accommodation is also a great price compared to Auckland, coming to approximately $140 a week for rent, including wifi, heating, etc. Overall, living costs are cheaper than in NZ, especially if you live on an NZ budget. However, Although food is much more affordable in Korea, the cost adds up if you eat out for every meal. The dormitory had a communal kitchen, but I didn’t like using it, so I spent more on food than I initially planned to. It is also very tempting when there are convenience stores on every corner with so many cheap and yummy options.
The campus itself was very beautiful, with many European castle-style buildings around the main square. There are plenty of cafes and other areas to study or meet friends on campus and close by. There was a wide range of media courses for me to select from. The workload was similar to UoA, but the assessment style and criteria were quite different. The pass grade is a lot higher, and the classes rely on exam grades a lot more, so it was stressful for me at first, not having done many exams in my degree. But it ended up being ok once I got used to the style and understood what they expected from me.
Korea University is located on line 6 of the Seoul subway system, which takes you directly to many popular areas or is a short transfer away. What I enjoy most about Seoul is that something is always happening, from pop-up stores to trending cafes. First-timers should look at Instagram and TikTok to get started, but after that, I highly recommend exploring less talked-about areas, as you will always stumble upon hidden gems. The transportation is extremely convenient, and I recommend taking the buses, not just the subway, as they can be more direct and help you locate yourself in the city better. As a night owl, I also like that shops and cafes open and close a lot later (usually 10am-10pm).
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
Despite Korea being a largely conservative country, the notion that Universities are the hub of progression has proven true. I particularly enjoyed my Media and Gender class, where we thoroughly studied each stage of feminism and its application and effect on the media industries. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed my class Globalisation and Beyond, which talked largely about gendered migration and issues extending from globalisation.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
Korean universities are famous for their school festivals, and Korea University did not disappoint. With a total of 4 days of performances by some of Korea’s most famous artists, it was a cultural experience you can’t miss!! Not just the artists but you also experience the Asian Cheerleading culture, which was tiring but fun.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
1: Make the most of your time. Academics are important, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so get out and see things! Also, don’t be afraid to do things alone. Big cities like Seoul can get overwhelming, so make sure you take time for yourself.
2: Ensure you have all the local navigation and taxi apps installed. There are a lot of apps and sites specific to Korea that you will need to have in order to safely and comfortably get around Seoul. I personally recommend Kakaomaps as you can connect it to your Kakaotalk and other related apps.
3: Don’t stick to the trends. Korea has become famous for its trends and pop culture, which is definitely worth exploring. However, you must stay true to yourself and learn to balance your own self-expression with what’s appropriate in the context. Also, don’t be fooled when it comes to cafes and shops that go viral online. I can guarantee you there are dozens of other places just around the corner that are just as good and don’t have a line out the door. So, take the time to explore instead of following what everyone else is doing.
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?
Overall, there are many affordable things to do in Korea, but if you go to a cafe or do something every day after class, it adds up. I was living off my Student Allowance, which was plenty for my day-to-day expenses. However, If you want to go to concerts or like to go shopping, I recommend having a good amount of savings. Otherwise, just be aware of your spending while you are there as it is easy to be tempted by the cheap clothes and cute cafes!
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
During my time in Korea, I made meaningful connections with people from all over the world. Learning about each person’s background and what brought them to Korea helped me understand the diverse lives people around me live. Because of this, I realised I take a lot in my life for granted. I think this is one of the main reasons exchanges are important. It allows you to see the world from a new perspective and pushes you to learn more about yourself along the way.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
I have travelled to some other cities around Korea—mainly Busan and Jeju Island. I also took a day trip to one of the beaches on the East Coast. Transportation around Korea is very convenient and usually quite affordable (although the KTX is more expensive than I expected!). I highly recommend getting outside of Seoul. Seoul is such a big city that it can be quite overwhelming, and there is a certain superficial attitude there that you don’t realise until you step outside of it. I think it’s important to see other regions as they give you a more nuanced image of Korea and its people.