Blog: Summer in Seoul

Hi, I’m Carys and I’m a Go Global Ambassador, a second-year psychology student and now, still to my disbelief, a Korea University International Summer Campus graduate! Now that I am back in Birmingham and beginning my second year of studies, I would like to share my experiences of a six-week summer school in South Korea and hopefully encourage other UoB students, like yourself, to embark on an unforgettable summer abroad journey.

Why did I choose to take on a summer abroad in South Korea?

There were so many different countries and universities to choose from; at first I didn’t know where to begin! However, I decided to follow my instincts, as I felt myself drawn towards the opportunities presented by an Asian experience, offering the chance to study psychology through a new cultural lens that isn’t so Western-centric thus adding a further dimension to my university studies.

I have been captivated by South Korean culture since secondary school- I loved the music, sport and TV, and I know that younger me would have died for this opportunity to finally experience this in person!

During my research into the different summer schools, the Korea University campus really stood out; once I saw the beautiful and majestic architecture of the university buildings, I knew that Seoul and Korea University was the right place for me.

However, there were personal challenges to face: the 14-hour flight seemed daunting, especially as I have not flown alone and out of Europe before. I was about to leave all my home comforts and support networks miles behind in England. But, driven by the need to leave Birmingham behind and immerse myself in a totally new culture- I threw off all doubts- and began my journey to Korea. Seoul became almost like my second home, and I would love to return again, perhaps for a full year!

What was my favourite part?

The stand-out moments for me would have to be the cultural activities organised by Korea University. I visited the stunning Gyeongbokgung Palace and learnt about the fascinating history of the Korean monarchy, dynasties and wars that are so often overlooked in history classes in the UK. The highlight of the summer was experiencing modern Korean culture through watching a baseball game at Jamsil Stadium. The atmosphere was incredible, and we even got to join in with the cheering, chanting and dancing that makes Korean baseball games so exciting and unique. I will never forget these trips and the long-lasting friendships that I made.

How can I not mention the amazing Korean food scene and its unique mouth-watering flavours? I loved everything, from spicy kimchi, hearty jjigae and flavoursome bibimbap! The cafe culture in Korea is so unique; they serve the most delicious pastries that leave you coming back for more! I would recommend trying Korean salt bread- the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Plus, the coffee is cheap, yet really good – only the equivalent of 85p!

What has my summer school experience taught me?

My experience in South Korea has been life changing. I was immersed in a completely new culture, surrounded by more than 1,000 students from all over the world: from the USA and Mexico to Taiwan and Hong Kong, who have really widened my knowledge of other cultures and traditions. I am no longer as shy as I used to be and have learnt to worry less and to enjoy more.

I managed to travel to a country alone, overcome language barriers and navigate a complicated subway system, all of which have given me the life skills to manage day-to-day adult life back home. I had to constantly step out of my comfort zone- something which had never previously come easy to me. A major challenge for me was taking a Korean language course and giving a speech at the end of the 6-weeks. If you had told me a year ago I would have successfully done this, I would not have believed you! Being a more confident speaker will also benefit my studies here too, as communicating and presenting clearly is an essential skill- and something I have always struggled with in the past.

A little thing maybe, but a big achievement for me - South Korea taught me the seemingly impossible skill of eating with chopsticks! With sheer determination and a little help from Korean restaurant owners, I soon got the hang of it- and I have found myself eating with chopsticks back home too!

My newfound love for travel has begun- in fact, I can’t wait to start new adventures abroad! After the recent terrible weather- they can’t come soon enough!

Final takeaways

To anyone thinking of doing a summer abroad, I would say be brave and just go for it! It’s a great way of immersing yourself in a new culture that you haven’t experienced before, and it’s a great way to travel for a shorter period of time than a full year. It can feel less daunting and might even inspire a confidence to travel even more like it did for me.

I made so many new friendships and unforgettable memories, and I can’t wait to see where I travel to next!

I hope I have inspired you to embark on a Go Global summer- it really is an invaluable experience that you won’t regret.

Interested in your own Go Global adventure? Visit the Go Global homepage to find out more.