Postcard from Abroad: Seoul, Korea

Seoul, Korea 5 Weeks in the Bustling Heart of Asia

Miki Prochazka

It had always been a dream of mine to go on exchange. However, the obstacle of fnding courses in a semester exchange that would count as academic credit at Macquarie University had me at the thought of just about giving up. Out of interest, I attended an exchange information session and found short-term study abroad options open solely to students for preapproved courses. Before I knew it, I boarded a plane headed to Seoul, South Korea for a 5-week adventure. My short-term study abroad was at the famous Hanyang University in Seoul. With a beautiful campus flled with an international student cohort, it was a surreal experience. The release of unit schedules lowered my expectation of venturing out into the unknown when I realised that I would be in classes most days a week until 7pm. However, upon refection, my short-term exchange was far richer and condensed with experiences due to Hanyang University’s hospitality and open-minded culture.

University Life On my frst day of a global marketing course, my professor, who usually taught at the University of California, Los Angeles, scanned the international classroom with a stern face. After asking about our nationalities, the whole room was buzzing as we shared diferent slangs and interesting cultural points from each of our home cities and countries. Professor Kim introduced the frst lesson of summer school by explaining the importance of coming out of our shell, venturing to unknown places and noticing the small diferences that arise in our daily lives whilst studying abroad. It was the conversation in this frst class that set the tone for the rest of my exchange.

The administrators and teachers at Hanyang University that I had the pleasure of interacting with shared the same opinion as Professor Kim. Students were given a list of activities organised by the university that catered to a range of personal interests. From K-pop experiences and amusement parks to cultural dance and cooking classes. Not only did such a wide range of activities take the ease of the stress of

planning trips, in addition to, keeping up with exchange studies, these experiences were also substantially discounted (which is a great bonus when you’re living in one of the best cities to shop). A friend of mine, a fellow Macquarie University student, took part in the K-pop dance classes taught by one of BTS’ choreographers (yes, that worldwide famous K-pop group). These opportunities goes to show the efort Hanyang University puts into making their international students enjoy their time as much as possible in a condensed period of time. I was able to do things that I not only did not have the time to plan for, but I would not have been able to undertake due to the exclusivity of activities. To simply describe my experiences with the academic staf and curriculum in one sentence, it was organised, unique and realistic. At the heart of exchange is the experience of another country and culture - rather than the university itself. So, knowing that international students were expected by Hanyang University to be more focussed on surroundings than the textbook in front of us provided relief and led to an enriching experience. I will never forget the warmth of the teachers excited to recommend us their favourite local bars and restaurants, exchanging humorous dialogue about our diferent cultures and most of all having the peace of mind that there was always somebody in the faculty I could reach out to with ease.

Social Life Hanyang University is the ideal institute for people who are eager to connect with people around the world whilst maintaining a balance of having your own time when needed. Being a bit more on the introverted side, staying at one of the many afordable Airbnb’s close to the campus was a way for me to take a breather from the college atmosphere when needed. At the same time, there were activities with open participation for all students multiple times a week that disseminated through the international student group forums. Such events and outings allowed me to still keep in touch with the people that I was able to meet.

Although the initial thought of exchange can be a daunting experience, short-term study abroad programs ofer students a foreign, unique study experience without the stress of credit approvals. Hanyang University, in particular, puts its utmost efort in ensuring each and every student fnishes their summer school with a holistic view of Korean culture. In the wide scope of my 5 year degree, those 5 weeks abroad had given me the most growth, joy and, most of all, an international perspective on my degree.

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