How did you decide which country/program to study abroad in?
Through enjoying Korean music and media I gained an interest in Korean language, culture, and history. I learned Korean for the last two years at IU and have a Korean minor, emphasizing my academic inclination to join this program.
What were you excited about and/or nervous about before your program?
I was excited to finally experience and immerse myself in the culture I had spent so long learning, and I was nervous about potentially facing discrimination due to being a foreigner.
What was your favorite place that you traveled to or an activity you did while abroad?
One of my favorite excursions was the DMZ, which I was hoping to visit while abroad. It was interesting to learn about how military operations are conducted in South Korea following the division on the Korean Peninsula, and the most memorable part was finding a North Korean military post.
Could you articulate one personal/professional/academic goal you achieved while abroad?
Studying abroad allowed me to use my language learning in a practical and real-world environment rather than just a classroom. As a result, I was able to expand my vocabulary and understand my language skills contextually.
What advice would you like to give to future study abroad students?
I recommend buying school supplies, shower filters (which you will need), and other non-essential things there! Also, do thorough research on cultural differences and tourist scams before going, it will help with culture shock.
What do you wish you knew before you studied abroad?
Apple Airtags and Find My iPhone does not work properly in Korea, so seeing your location or finding lost items will be very difficult if you have Apple products. I lost my phone briefly while I was in Korea and it made it much harder to get it back after (thankfully I did). I recommend buying other brand trackers to put in items like purses or wallets.
