{"id":10928,"date":"2024-12-03T16:50:02","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T06:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/?p=10928"},"modified":"2024-12-03T16:59:19","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T06:59:19","slug":"my-exchange-semester-in-korea-a-transformative-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qut.edu.au\/gone-global\/2024\/12\/03\/my-exchange-semester-in-korea-a-transformative-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"My Exchange Semester in South Korea: A Transformative Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jennifer – Sungkyunkwan University<\/h2>\n

Semester 1, 2024<\/h3>\n

Bachelor of Business (Marketing) \/ Bachelor of Creative Industries (Fashion Communication)<\/h3>\n

Hi! I\u2019m Jennifer, a QUT student, and I recently had the unforgettable experience of spending a semester at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea. This exchange not only broadened my horizons but also taught me so much about myself and the world around me. Let me walk you through my journey!<\/p>\n

Arriving in Korea<\/h3>\n

Arriving in Korea felt exciting yet nerve-wracking. Seoul was vibrant, the dorms were cozy but basic, and the university’s welcoming orientation helped me make friends on the very first day.<\/p>\n

One thing that amazed me was how hardworking Korean students were. They were incredibly focused in classes and took grades very seriously. Group assignments were intense, with Zoom meetings often lasting two hours or being scheduled as late as 11 PM\u2014something I wasn\u2019t used to! Their English proficiency and active participation impressed me.<\/p>\n

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Orientation, exploring the campus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expectation vs. Reality<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As someone ethnically Korean, I thought bonding with local students would come easily. However, it was tougher than expected. Many students were shy and deeply connected to their friend groups. Culturally, Korea doesn\u2019t emphasize small talk, which made me hesitant to approach others. Group assignments were my only real interaction with locals, and even then, the focus remained strictly on work.<\/p>\n

Adjusting to Korean university life wasn\u2019t without its hurdles. Class registration was a major stressor; finding courses that matched my study plan was difficult, and I had to delay my graduation to meet the minimum credit requirements. Dorm life also proved challenging, as I struggled to share a space with someone whose lifestyle was completely different from mine. Eventually, I found alternative accommodation to regain privacy, but the process was overwhelming.<\/p>\n

Orientation was a highlight. Everyone was eager to make friends, so it was easy to connect. By simply talking to those next to me or introducing myself, I met many people, including fellow Australians\u2014though I was the only one from Queensland! Friendships grew quickly as people introduced their friends, forming a big, diverse group. Listening to everyone’s stories about why they chose to go on exchange and their future goals was inspiring.<\/p>\n