A Semester Abroad at Hanyang University in Seoul

Learning in the heart of South Korea – a report by Emma Knodel

„Since the beginning of my semester abroad in Seoul, I have settled well into my new everyday life. Although I only had a rough idea of what to expect beforehand, the city felt surprisingly familiar even on the journey from the airport. At the same time, many things were new and overwhelming – Seoul is fast-paced, modern, and full of impressions. However, after an intense initial phase, many things have settled down, and the unfamiliar has gradually become familiar.

I am particularly impressed by how polite people are. I am often greeted warmly or offered help, precisely because it is obvious that I am not from here. Nevertheless, there is always a slight feeling of “being a stranger” in everyday life – whether because of the language or small routines. But I have learned to deal with that well now.

The city itself offers enormous diversity: a well-organized metro system, countless cafés, green parks, museums, hiking trails, festivals, and much more. Café culture is also very important here, which is why I almost exclusively study in cafés.

Another regular part of my week is the “Coffee Club,” where we meet in the morning and start the day together. It is definitely challenging to be a vegetarian here, but it is definitely possible!

My campus – the Erica Campus of Hanyang University – is located a little outside the city, which is a bit inconvenient. However, I really enjoy my modules because they are very practical and well designed. The mix of exams, projects, and group work has taught me to use my time more efficiently and make lots of new contacts at the same time. It's especially easy to get to know the other exchange students. It's probably a little more difficult with Korean students, mainly because of the language, but I'm gradually getting to know them better too. At the same time, I think it's really cool to meet people from so many different countries and learn a little more about the world.

A particular highlight was a multi-day bike tour from Seoul to Busan, which allowed me to experience the country intensively. The landscape of Korea is really beautiful, and even from Seoul, you can get to the countryside very quickly.

Even though my semester is still ongoing, I already know how much I am gaining from it – about Korea, about other people, and about myself. I would definitely recommend a semester abroad in Seoul. You should expect to feel a little overwhelmed at first, but that's exactly where the learning comes from later on.”