Lilian’s Summer season Overseas in South Korea

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Desirous to step into the footsteps of a school scholar who’s experiencing life in Seoul? We just lately caught up with AIFS Overseas scholar Lilian, an English Linguistics and Artwork Historical past main from Ball State College who spent her summer time break learning overseas within the bustling capital of South Korea on our program at Sogang College.

Learn on to be taught extra about her examine overseas expertise with AIFS Overseas and the affect of being a global scholar in Seoul.

Language Studying

Enjoyable reality: It’s not a requirement to be fluent in a international language to review overseas! Whereas some course choices could require a sure degree of proficiency, we are able to accommodate language learners of all ranges on our applications. If language immersion scares you a bit, you possibly can all the time select to review overseas in an English-speaking nation, however we encourage you to push your self out of your consolation zone in case you’re in any respect . It may be extremely thrilling to be taught a brand new language as a scholar overseas — each inside and out of doors of the classroom! However earlier than you get there, it may well usually be useful to be taught somewhat little bit of the language that can assist you assimilate upon arrival. Hear from Lilian about her advice to be taught Hangul, the Korean alphabet, previous to jetting off to Seoul:

“Hangul is taken into account to be one of many best alphabets to be taught with solely 14 consonants and 10 vowels. I realized Hangul and some phrases and sayings and I used to be superb. Whereas there, I additionally realized a couple of issues right here and there primarily based on on a regular basis situations.   

Nevertheless, in case you wouldn’t have time to be taught Hangul, don’t sweat it. Seoul is a global hub, in very touristy areas like Hongdae, Myeongdong, and by main vacationer sights individuals spoke English. I additionally suggest downloading an app referred to as ‘Papago’ for translations.”

Cultural Variations and Immersion

If you examine overseas, you might be uncovered to cultural norms which will differ from your personal. You might also be confronted with situations the place you’re instantly perceived as a non-local, and that’s okay! Take it as a chance to have an alternate — it’s possible you’ll be taught one thing, and so they could, too!

“Experiencing a brand new tradition may be very useful… I like to recommend embracing the variations. Koreans can take a look at you and know you’re a foreigner, [but] they all the time provide the advantage of the doubt. Additionally, so long as you might be respectful and so they see you are attempting, you’ll be superb…

Seoul is the capital and the most important metropolis in South Korea, they’re used to seeing foreigners the entire time. Personally I didn’t have an issue with individuals watching me and I’ve tan pores and skin and curly hair, nonetheless everybody has completely different experiences.”

If you first arrive to your examine overseas vacation spot and begin to transition into your life abroad, odds are it’s possible you’ll expertise somewhat little bit of tradition shock. Traditions, customs, language, and the general tradition can really feel overwhelming to some — however finally, you end up immersed and actually relishing in among the variations! And the reality is, it’s distinctive to every scholar. Everybody experiences it at completely different ranges! In Lilian’s case, she discovered herself having to get used to some minor variations — however total transitioned into Korean tradition seamlessly.

“Consider it or not, adapting to the lifestyle there was not onerous. In addition to shopping for a T-Cash card (used for public transportation and typically as a debit card), nothing was actually that completely different in my lifestyle again in America. My lessons had been much like how my lessons in America are arrange, the trash group system, and determining the transportation system. Issues had been much like America, [but] I might say that South Korea might be somewhat extra handy. Personally, I might say if you’re keen to adapt to vary, you’ll.”

However what about different cultural experiences overseas, each in day-after-day life and distinctive one-off experiences?

“As somebody who has been to 2 different international locations, South Korea has very good and understanding individuals! From the time I used to be at a restaurant and I spilled sauce on my purse and the girl who labored there helped me clear the stain off my purse, to individuals serving to you order meals at eating places, to individuals all the time keen that can assist you once you need assistance with instructions or how the bus system works. I discovered that folks will enable you to if you’re a foreigner as a result of they wish to apply their English, which occurred lots every time I went procuring…

One in all my favourite issues to do in South Korea was to attract the palaces — there are 5 in Korea. Whereas drawing, I had many South Koreans come as much as me to inform me they appreciated my drawing or simply to ask the place I used to be from and why I used to be in Korea. One reminiscence that involves thoughts was after I was at Changgyeonggung Palace and I had a girl come as much as me who labored there — she didn’t know a lot English and I didn’t know a lot Korean, and we sat collectively for half-hour and had a full dialog. There was lots of gesturing occurring but it surely was gratifying. It’s the small issues like this that made South Korea so particular for me.”

Navigating Seoul

One of the crucial thrilling components of learning overseas or doing a global internship is exploring a brand new metropolis. The concept of navigating public transportation in a brand new place, nonetheless, is usually a little intimidating — however don’t fear, it’s regular to really feel that means! With somewhat little bit of preparation, you’ll be a professional very quickly — similar to Lilian.

“I might suggest to everybody, TAKE THE BUS!!! It’s so handy and simple to navigate. I like to recommend downloading ‘NAVER map,’ as a result of Google/Apple Maps don’t work in South Korea. The bus can get you anyplace, which makes exploring simpler and it’s tremendous low cost! Keep in mind, don’t be scared to attempt or use the bus/subway as a result of it’s unfamiliar, as a result of earlier than you recognize it, you can be so accustomed to it that you simply received’t even must put in instructions to get to some locations. Across the final week and half of my journey I may get to a number of locations by reminiscence as a result of I went there fairly often or the bus/subway route was straightforward to recollect.”

On-Web site Help

Do you know? Every AIFS Overseas examine overseas and worldwide internship program has native on-site employees to help college students all through their journey and to assist with any questions or recommendation they might want throughout their international training expertise. Our program in Seoul, South Korea is not any exception, and Lilian was thrilled to have such a gentle help system.

“With AIFS, I had a 24/7 advisor I may attain out to, to ask her any questions or considerations I had. I like to recommend in case you ever have questions by no means be nervous to succeed in out, and no query is a dumb query!”

Last Ideas

Lilian’s closing phrases of knowledge for future examine overseas contributors? Don’t miss out on an unbelievable alternative like learning overseas as a result of your concern acquired in the way in which!

“Total, the most effective recommendation I might give is to review overseas in Seoul, South Korea and expertise all these good issues! Finding out overseas may be scary, however belief me, as soon as you might be within the nation you can be having the time of your life, and as soon as you allow you’ll be unhappy. Don’t miss a as soon as in a lifetime alternative simply since you are scared concerning the new and unknown. Experiencing the unknown is the way you develop!”

Are you a scholar who’s able to take the leap and examine overseas in South Korea like Lilian did with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey!

Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students and pre-professionals examine and intern overseas. Our applications are extremely inclusive, which takes lots of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site employees, and extra, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have help all through your total expertise overseas.