Studying in South Korea had been my dream for a long time, so having the opportunity to experience it as a university student still feels very special to me. Thanks to the Erasmus+ programme, a country that once seemed so far away became a place where I could actually study, live and experience everyday life.
My first study stay in South Korea took me to Kyungpook National University, where I spent a semester discovering a completely new academic and cultural environment. During my studies there, I took courses such as Organizational Behaviour, Marketing, Marketing Research and Korean Language. Studying these subjects in an international setting allowed me to see familiar topics from a different perspective and experience a new approach to higher education. Learning Korean was particularly valuable, as even a basic knowledge of the language helped me feel closer to the country and its people.
My first semester convinced me that I wanted to return to South Korea and experience even more. This semester, I was given that opportunity and am continuing my Korean journey at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. Here, my studies focus on subjects like Consumer Behaviour and International Marketing, which complement my previous courses and give me further international insight into my field. Studying at Ewha also means experiencing university life right in the heart of one of the most dynamic cities in the world.
For me, however, studying abroad is about much more than lectures and exams. It is also about meeting students from different countries, building new friendships and learning how differently people can view the same world. Together with other international students, I have had the opportunity to explore Seoul as well as many other fascinating places across South Korea. I am constantly impressed by the contrast between modern architecture and technology, and the country’s historical palaces, temples and traditional neighbourhoods. At the same time, South Korea offers beautiful natural landscapes that provide a completely different experience from its busy city streets. Travelling around the country has helped me understand Korean culture, traditions and daily life in a way that would never be possible from books or social media alone.
Of course, living thousands of kilometres away from home also teaches you independence, adaptability and how to navigate situations you have never faced before. Every new place, university experience and person I meet adds something unique to my time here.
South Korea was once simply a country I dreamed of visiting, but thanks to Erasmus+, it has become an important part of my university journey and personal story. If I have learned one thing from my two study stays here, it is that sometimes the opportunities that seem the furthest away can become reality when you have the courage to take them.
Veronika, Faculty of Logistics and Crisis Management
