Author: Aleksandra Dorogova
Interpreter: Kate Glagoleva
In the spring semester, Karina Akhmetzyanova, a second-year student, went on an exchange program to South Korea - the country of morning calm. She told us about her studies at the Korean university and the difference in mentalities. Also, she gave some tips for those who wants to go to study in another country.
©Photo from personal archive
Tell us about the university where you have been studying a little bit.
It is one of the best universities in the country, it is on the Top 3 in Korea. It even has a personal symbol – a tiger on the scarlet background. Unfortunately, I didn’t have an opportunity to listen all lectures in university classrooms because of coronavirus. It’s really sad that I didn’t get into my faculty.
Why did you choose South Korea for the exchange?
Freckly speaking, I didn’t choose between countries. From the beginning, I have planned to go to South Korea because I want to study there in the future. I really wanted to spend a semester in Korea to find out what it's like to study in an Asian country. I had to understand whether I was ready for this serious step in the future and in general to assess I like it or not. I wanted to avoid such a situation that I would go to university, and I found that it is not suitable for me.
You were there in a hard time of coronavirus, which difficulties you were faced with during the preparations to the trip?
I wanted to go on an exchange trip for the fall semester. I have prepared all the necessary documents: motivation and recommendation letters, various health certificates but everything went awry. When it came time to apply for a study visa, the embassy in Moscow simply did not give them. In Korea, as in many countries, a two-week quarantine was introduced. It was desirable to pass it in a dormitory at the university. At that time, it was the end of July, there were no places in the hostel and there were no flights with the country. Only closer to the beginning of the academic year, the embassy began to issue visas to exchange students. I was planning to fly through Turkey or Belarus, as there were no direct flights, and to rent a room through AirBnb in Korea. But in the end, I didn't have time to come to the country by the beginning of the school year, so I postponed the trip until the spring semester. This time it was easier to collect all the documents, since I already had everything ready: just change the dates and edit the motivation letter a little.
It seems to me that the biggest difficulty was precisely the fact that I could not go in the fall. It was sad to realize that the opportunity to see the real Korea was lost. My friends told me that in the fall there were not so many restrictions related to the coronavirus. Now there are a lot of such rules, for example, it is impossible to gather a company of more than four people. Even on the street, at a picnic, only four people can sit on one blanket, the rest on the other. All establishments - cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs close at 10 pm. These restrictions deprived me and other students who came to see the country of many impressions.
It was problematic/ hard to stay on the quarantine? What did you do all these two weeks?
The most difficult days were fifth and seventh. At first, you try to get used to the local time, create a routine around you, make your own schedule, enter a certain mode. But starting from the fifth day, it becomes very difficult. I wanted to go outside, especially if the weather was good. The main thing is to survive the end of the first week and then it's easier: there is a countdown before leaving quarantine.
While I was in quarantine, I devoted quite a lot of time to the Korean language and also slept, watched movies and ate. I also recorded various videos showing quarantine food, a room, a view from the window. I was planning to keep blog on YouTube, but I quickly abandoned this idea: the study schedule turned out to be too clogged.
©Photo from personal archive
What is the difference between studying in South Korea and studying in Russia?
I think that the way of teaching is the same. The difference is in the study system espesially. In Korea, you choose the subjects you want to study. Of course, there are several mandatory courses but mostly students are free to choose their own classes. This is very convenient. You also can make your schedule like you want. The main thing is to fulfill the norm for "credits" (credits - study hours) for all four years of study. Korean students actively use it. For example, if they want to have fun in their first year of study, they simply take fewer subjects and then they completely fill out the schedule in their senior years. This also works in the opposite direction.
Which courses have you been learning?
I had seven subjects. Four related to the Korean language: speaking, writing, reading and basic Korean— as well as English ("English discussion"), interpersonal communication ("Interpersonal communication") and introduction to media ("Introduction to media"). I already had an elementary level of Korean, so I took an intermediate one at university. Language classes turned out to be very difficult, sometimes I didn't even have time to do all homework. Advice from me: if you are going to a country whose language you are studying, think about how many subjects you take. You don’t need to repeat my mistakes and choose a lot at once. You still are an exchange student. Studying is really important but I wanted to see the city, nature, visit museums and galleries, just walk with friends. All I did is study.
In general, I liked all the subjects that I chose, despite their complexity. For example, the course "English discussion" turned out to be very informative, we really talked about various actual topics, communicated in English, but, to tell the truth, we often deviated from the original topic. "Introduction to media— was no different from the subject at our faculty. The subject of "Interpersonal communication" was mainly aimed at understanding human psychology. We learned to analyze romantic and friendly relationships, tried to determine who we are and what kind of person we are looking for. In theory, it is so, but in life it is quite difficult to apply these skills.
What did you like most about studying?
I really liked the idea of making my own schedule. I had a free Friday, which means that there are three days off in a row. Thanks to this, I could safely go to another city for a weekend and take a walk somewhere else besides Seoul. For example I went to Busan for a few days with my friends.
Did you feel a difference in mentalities while studying in another country?
Exchange students were more active than Koreans themselves. Foreigners respond more in pairs, more often participate in conversation and various discussions, share their ideas and their experiences. Korean students, on the other hand, prefer not to speak once again and, if possible, simply remain silent if this does not affect the assessment in any way. There is a difference of mentality here: open foreigners versus shy, miscommunicated Koreans.
Let’s tell about people. What do you think is the main difference between Russians and Koreans?
Actially, it is a difficult question. As for me, they are the same people... Maybe just a little kinder and more responsive. If you have Korean friends, they will always help you in a difficult situation. Everyone is ready to help, you need just write or call.
Was there a student life in Korea?
Usually, there are sport games, festivals, and various student parties. It held at the university but everything was canceled due to the coronavirus. There is also a club for helping international students. It conducts various activities for students: it takes them on excursions, gathers everyone on field trips, where students have fun, play various games and learn about Korean culture. Unfortunately, due to strict restrictions. University life is not about this semester.
Tell us about your preparations to the exams in another country.
It was a real nightmare! In Korea, the session is divided into two parts: midterms and finals. I studied hard for exams, especially for the Korean tests: I repeated what I had passed, learned words and grammar and practiced speaking. I had to ask for help from Korean friends. Exams in other subjects turned out to be much easier — it was only necessary to write a few essays.
Would you like to have exchange experience one more time?
Frankly speaking, I wanted to extend my exchange, but it didn't work out. If I had the opportunity to leave again, I would return to South Korea again but this time to Seoul National University.
