Greetings from Seoul

Joé Heinen reports on his semester abroad at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea

Why did you choose this particular partner university?

I chose Seoul because I personally wanted to study outside Europe. Since I had never been to Asia before, I quickly realized that I wanted to go to Seoul. I was also very interested to see how Social Work is taught and practiced in Asia.

How do you like the university city? How do you experience the culture of the host country?

I really like Seoul because I think the city represents Asia very well. It is very clean and safe, and public transportation is efficient and punctual. One difference from European cities is that there is no classic city center, but rather several districts such as Hongdae, Itaewon, and Gangnam, each with its own center.

The culture is very different from Europe. In Korea, a lot is based on respect, especially towards older people. This can be seen, for example, in the subway, where there are special seats for older people that are not used by younger people even when they are free. It is also interesting to note that it is often cheaper to eat out every day, as food is relatively expensive in comparison.

Where do you see the biggest differences between your host university and the MCI?

One major difference between Innsbruck and Seoul is the size of the campus. It is so large that it can take 10 to 15 minutes to get from one classroom to the next. In addition, SKKU allows students to freely choose courses based on their own interests. As SKKU is one of the oldest universities in Seoul, there are also many historic buildings that reflect the university's long history.

What has been the biggest challenge so far during your semester abroad?

I noticed that many Koreans are very unsure when it comes to speaking English. This sometimes makes it more difficult to get in touch with them, as they prefer not to speak in order to avoid making mistakes. However, this also depends greatly on the context in which you come into contact with them.

Since I lived in a more local residential area, I also had a “Korean shower,” which means that unlike in Europe, there is no shower stall to step into, but rather the shower head is connected to the sink, so you shower in the middle of the bathroom.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

My favorite place is Seoul Tower, because you get a great view of the whole city from there. You don't even have to go up the tower itself; you can enjoy a wonderful view from the surrounding hills and spend several hours there without getting bored. The Han River is also particularly beautiful in summer, where you can eat with friends and spend a lot of time outdoors.