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This Year Abroad has opened my eyes to new experiences and has made me even more keen to travel and explore what other countries have to offer.

Was there culture shock?

Definitely! I think the first major shock was the fact that Korea is not a particularly diverse country - as a foreigner, I immediately stuck out. Seoul is more international, but in Sejong there are hardly any non-Koreans. I was also amazed by how law-abiding society seems to be. There are some Korean stores which are purely self-service as there is hardly any shoplifting. Similarly, if you were to leave your phone or wallet in a café or dropped them when you were out somewhere, nobody would touch them. Your phone could just be on the pavement for days and it would not get stolen. People here seem to have much more respect for other people’s property.

What is a typical week at Korea University Sejong?

My classes are normally from Monday-Thursday with a few hours of class time each day. On one day I have 3 hours of Korean Culture class, followed by 2 hours of Korean language. The classes themselves have been very interesting. For my Korean culture and language courses, the class is made up of purely exchange students but in all my other classes I am the only non-Korean. To start with, I felt so out of place, but I have gotten used to it now. Outside of class I spend time studying in one of the many cafés near campus  which are popular with students. On the weekends I visit other cities in Korea and go sightseeing. Sometimes the university takes us on a weekend class trip up to Seoul, free of charge.

What I have gained?

I have definitely grown as a person since being here. Trying to settle into a new country with a big language barrier has been a real challenge. Few people in Sejong speak English, so I’ve had to get used to trying to speak Korean wherever I can. Not only is Korean a difficult language to learn, but it is always stressful when there is someone speaking to me in Korean and I can’t understand them. Luckily, translation apps have been a lifesaver!  
This experience has helped me learn to be independent and to deal with living and navigating around a new country despite the language barrier. I have also gained insight into what it is like to fully immerse myself into a different culture. I find it interesting to notice even the small details that are different from the UK. This Year Abroad has opened my eyes to new experiences and has made me even more keen to travel and explore what other countries have to offer.

Preparing for IEY

Research as much as you can about the country you are going to. For example, learning a few key words and phrases in the native language shows your politeness and that you are making an effort, as opposed to just expecting everyone to speak English. It’s also important to learn some local customs and etiquette. For example, when meeting new people in Korea it is polite to give a small bow to show respect, or when giving or receiving items you use both hands to hold the object. Another example in Korea that is extremely important is using formal language when speaking to anyone older than yourself. The Korean language has many levels of formality which is vital if you do not want to come across as rude when communicating.

Secondly, prepare your finances well. Figure out a rough plan of costs for the year, but budget for more. There may be lots of unplanned activities or trips that will need additional funds. It’s also sensible to keep aside an “emergency fund” before starting your IEY. I made sure I had a separate pot of money in case of an emergency, so that I could quickly get a flight back to the UK if needed.