Mark – Sungkyunkwan University – Korea
Semester 2, 2024 & Semester 1, 2025
Bachelor of Business – International
Background
Hi everyone, I’m Mark, a QUT student majoring in finance, and I’m going to share my unique and very memorable one-year exchange experience at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea. Sungkyunkwan University is a school rich in history, with an establishment dating back to 1398, making it one of the oldest universities in East Asia. The school has two campuses; the humanitarian campus is in Hyehwa, Seoul. The other campus, located in Suwon, is an hour and a half away and is specifically for STEM-related majors. Overall, there are numerous classes taught in English, offering a variety of courses for exchange students to choose from.
Apps and Tips
Before departing for your journey to Korea, here is some advice and apps that could make the transition slightly easier. Suppose you do not know the Korean language. In that case, I recommend using Papago as your translation app, due to not only its translation capabilities but also the functions the app provides.
In terms of navigation, Google Maps may not be the best option, as it can be inaccurate in terms of distance and travel, and sometimes fails to list all the requested options. Instead, consider downloading NAVER Maps or Kakao Maps.
Another Korean app I recommend is downloading the Korea messenger app Kakao Talk, as many school clubs use this app to create group chats. I have also had prior experience using this app for group chats for team assignments.
The last apps I recommend downloading are either Wise or Revolut for payments. They are easy and convenient apps that enable you to quickly convert AUD to WON, while also working in most stores in Korea.
Another tip unrelated to apps is to use Chingu Mobile as your data plan, as it is significantly cheaper than other providers. Another reason why I recommend it is that the employees who work at this store speak fluent English. Also ensure that you receive your ARC as quickly as possible, so please have your documents ready beforehand.
Accommodation
In terms of accommodation, I stayed in both dorms and off-campus the semester after. Staying in dorms and meeting other exchange students is a significant pro of living in the dorms. However, if you enjoy privacy and having your own space, this might be a slight issue as all Sungkyunkwan dorm rooms are shared between 2 people.
In terms of off-campus accommodation, finding affordable housing can be challenging. The only alternative if you want something cheap and off-campus is a “goshiwon”; however, another downside to this is that the places are typically small.
University Life
At Sungkyunkwan, classes differed significantly from those at QUT. Classes were typically taught in larger groups than the typical QUT tutorials. Classes were also not split between lectures and tutorials. There is also a strong emphasis on students participating in class conversations, with attendance typically accounting for 10% of your final grade. This is in addition to your mid-term exams, final exams, assignments, and presentations. If you want classes that are easier to do and allow you to maximize the amount of free time available for yourself, I recommend taking exchange courses. In my case, I took a mix of regular and exchange courses. During final exam periods, my stress levels reached an all-time high. I remember taking several all-nighters to the 24-hour library and 24-hour café near campus. These all-nighters ultimately paid off and saved me.
One thing Korean Universities do better than Australian universities is the overall student life, for example, the school festivals. I was fortunate enough to go to two Sungkyunkwan Festivals. These festivals encourage performance clubs to practice and participate in the school festival. My personal favorite was the SKKU Cheerleader club, comprised of both males and females. They often chant, sing, and dance to traditional school songs and anthems, getting the crowd to jump and move to the rhythm of the music. However, it doesn’t stop there; these festivals not only invite students to perform, but also feature famous Korean artists, rappers, and idols. My favorite performance from the artists I was able to see was PSY. He was electric and got everyone dancing and jumping.
Other aspects I enjoyed about student life were the school clubs and their level of activity. I managed to join three clubs during my time at SKKU. This included Time, KITE, and the Sungkyunkwan Economics Football Team. The clubs I joined had weekly meetings. I had Football training and a Time meeting on Thursday. My last meeting was KITE on Friday. Many clubs were open to recruiting exchange students, with a handful of clubs only accepting Koreans, as they sought members who could stay for more than a semester. Joining these school clubs was the best way to make Korean friends and be exposed to Korean school and social culture, including drinking.
Overall, my 1-year exchange in Korea was an experience to remember. I would 100% recommend Korea and Sungkyunkwan as destinations for exchange. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience cultures that are different from your own and to make friends from around the world.
Find out more on how you can apply: Student Exchange
