Emily O’Connor, a English major and Pre-Law minor, studied abroad for a semester during her sophomore year at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. The Yonsei University ISEP program is offered to students through the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a consortium of universities around the world offering study abroad opportunities to students.
Emily shared more about her education abroad experience:
Why did you decide to study abroad?
I have always wanted to study abroad ever since I was a middle schooler. Going abroad was always a dream of mine, because I wanted to see the world. Specifically, South Korea because of its culture and how deep the history is.
How was your experience working with the ISEP team to prepare for your time abroad?
They were fantastic. Truly everyone in that organization is just… they're all very sweet, very nice, very understanding. I had a few issues beforehand, and they were completely accommodating. They are just so nice.
Was it easy to find classes that counted back to your degree?
Yes, very easy. I'm pretty sure there's a list somewhere at Kent that I looked at, and I was able to just choose from there, and they were for sure going to transfer back.
(Your Academic Advisor and Education Abroad Advisor will work with you to determine how your courses will transfer back to . Emily consulted the Transfer Credit Guide on FlashLine to see what courses past KSU students have taken at Yonsei and how they have transferred back, so everything was very smooth!)
What were the classes like vs. your U.S. classes? How often did you have classes?
They’re a bit longer. I know we have a few long lectures [at ], but in my major there's not a three-hour law lecture for example. In Korea, there's a bit more. It's a little bit more rigorous. They expect more outside work than they do here. I know some professors [here] will go over the readings and stuff like that, but in Korea if you don't do the readings, then you're kind of like “uh oh!” So I find that it's a little bit more difficult, and then the classes are a bit longer. But the professors were great over there.
What was your favorite class?
I really enjoyed my Intro to Korean class. I thought it was super interesting, it's such a cool language, and it's also easy to learn. Korean, I think it was rated the topmost easily understandable language because it's so phonetic. And then I learned basic communications.
What was the university’s support for international students like?
They had an international office like we do here. And I know specifically with ISEP they would have group outings. Even the broader international students would have organizations, and they would try to make sure that we were included since it's so hard when you don't know Korean to become friends with the Korean locals. But because of that, a lot of Koreans will volunteer or ISEP students will volunteer. So you really get to know locals as well with the international groups.
Were you the only student there? Was it easy to make friends?
I was the only Kent student, but through ISEP I actually made friends with people from Virginia Tech and Washington state. Those are probably my best friends still, and I go down to Virginia all the time to see them. So making friends in the ISEP realm is extremely easy, because everyone's just so nice.
What was the university area like? Did you enjoy the neighborhood and was there a lot to do nearby?
It was super walkable, super college student friendly. Lots of cafes, lots of places to study, lots of restaurants. I think Yonsei itself is near Ansan mountain. So when you're going to some classes, you’ve really got to go up a hill!
What was your favorite thing you did, saw, or experienced while in South Korea?
My favorite thing I did was when my friends and I went down to Busan. We went there twice and it's such a beautiful city, sightseeing and seeing how different Busan is from Seoul. That’s the coolest part, seeing how small Korea is but how different the provinces are.
Were you able to travel while you were in South Korea? What cities did you visit, and which was your favorite?
Busan, I would say that's probably the coolest place we went. We went to a smaller city called Suwon a few times too. It was a neighborhood outside of Seoul, but there were a lot more historic fortresses down there. But I liked Busan just a little bit more.
Did you try any new foods or dishes? What is your top food recommendation for future students studying abroad in South Korea?
I tried a lot of new foods over there, it's hard to pick a favorite. There's obviously Korean BBQ, classic. There’s this dish called dak-galbi, with chicken—that one’s really good, and a nice group activity. A lot of the restaurants were group cooking, it was super cool. And then I tried kimchi udon, which I think is kind of basic, but at the same time it's just really good.
How do you think your study abroad experience impacted you personally?
It changed how I view everything, seriously. How do I even explain it? It was so impactful. You have to learn fast how to be independent, especially in a city where you can't speak the local language. I would say it probably changed my independence and my confidence in myself, because I was like “I can do it. But like, can I really do it?” But I can move across the country or across the world and survive on my own for four months and that's super cool.
How do you think your study abroad experience impacted your studies at and your future career?
It really proved to me that I do enjoy the aspect of law and immigration and international law specifically. I knew I wanted to do law before going to Korea, but even with my own processes with the visa and stuff like that... I thought it was interesting when I had to go to the immigration offices, and it really solidified that I wanted to do some type of law in the international realm.
Is there any advice you have for future study abroad students in South Korea?
Pack lightly because you're going to buy everything over there. But, I would say also, don't be afraid to go out with people that you don't know to restaurants and stuff like that because that's how I met my friends who are probably my best friends now. You kind of have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations at first. At the beginning, it's going to be uncomfortable, but after that it's just amazing.
Interested in an experience like Emily's? Learn more about the Yonsei University, South Korea ISEP program.
