Building language skills and navigating exchange: Insights for students heading to South Korea 

Embarking on a study abroad program can be an exhilarating journey that offers a wealth of new experiences and cultural immersion.

To help you prepare for your upcoming exchange experience, we reached out to four students who chose South Korea as their exchange destination. In this Q&A, they shared their motivations to go on exchange in South Korea, how their Korean language learning journeys at UBC equipped them for the experience ahead, and the invaluable advice they have to offer.

Jae Won Seok (she/her/hers)

Jae Won majors in Asian Language and Culture (Korea). She went to Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) for exchange in September 2022-June 2023.

What motivated you to go to Korea on exchange?

In going to Korea on exchange, I wanted to, not only, broaden my knowledge about South Korean history and cultivate my identity as a Korean, but also to take steps in achieving my dream as an interpreter for Korean immigrants. As an interpreter, I must convey the language with the cultural nuances embedded within each expression. I believed this exchange opportunity would strengthen my Korean language proficiencies and further foster my awareness of South Korea’s unique traditions and ambiance.

What’s one advice that you will give to a UBC student who is going to your partner university on exchange?

Familiarize yourself with SKKU’s course registration system in advance.

SKKU’s course registration system is far more complicated than the system we use back at UBC. Just to give you a quick overview, the registration is divided into two websites: the GLS system website where you select your desired courses and put them into a course bag, as well as the course registration website. The GLS system website is especially difficult to navigate in the beginning, especially when you are searching for courses conducted in English. It is also far more competitive to enroll into courses at SKKU, especially as an exchange student because the number of seats available for exchange students is extremely limited or simply non-existent. Please prepare a game plan in advance!

Sarah Satoh Inomata (she/her/hers)

Sarah majors in Asian Language and Culture (Korea). She went to Seoul National University (SNU) for exchange during September-December 2022 and March-June 2023.

What motivated you to go to Korea on exchange?

I participated in a short summer exchange program to Yonsei University in the summer of 2019. As an Asian Language and Culture Major with a specialization in Korea, I felt that my exchange that time was too short to fully experience and learn about the culture, so I planned to go on an exchange the year after, but with the spread of COVID-19 that was cancelled. I wished to further my understanding of Korean culture and life in Korea through experience, as well as to increase my fluency in the Korean language.

How does the Korean Language Program at UBC help you prepare for your exchange to Korea?

Having the language skills allowed me to expand the number of courses I am able to take while on exchange.

I have taken most of the courses that the Korean Language Program offers and am thus fluent to a certain degree in Korean. This helped me a lot before the actual exchange, as things like finding housing or opening a bank account are a lot easier if you understand Korean. Also, having the language skills allowed me to take courses offered in Korean at Seoul National University (SNU), expanding the number of courses that I am able to take while on exchange. Life outside of school is also a lot easier to navigate since I can communicate in Korean.

What’s one advice that you will give to a UBC student who is going to your partner university on exchange?

Being the top ranked university in Korea, SNU is a highly academically focused school, however its exchange program is not the strongest. There are a very limited number of courses taught in English, so SNU may not be the best choice for someone who is looking for a more broader exchange system. However, if you wish to get a taste of an authentic Korean education system that is completely different to the one in North America or at UBC, this is where to come.

Eric Thor Venis (he/him/his)

Eric majors in Commerce with a focus on Marketing. He went to Korea University for exchange during September-December 2022.

What motivated you to go to Korea on exchange?

I had been learning Korean at UBC for 4 years previously, and because I fell in love with the language, going to Korea on exchange felt like the natural next step for me.

How does the Korean Language Program at UBC help you prepare for your exchange to Korea?

The Korean Language Program was an incredible help. The professors were very supportive and provided lots of insights about life in Korea. I felt very confident going on exchange to Korea due to my preparation from the Korean Language Program.

What’s one advice that you will give to a UBC student who is going to your partner university on exchange?

Step out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there.

Also, make sure to practice or be in the process of learning the Korean language as it will help you immerse yourself in the experience overall!

Alden Raviero Hermawan Chang

Alden majors in Psychology and minors in Asian Language and Culture (Korea). He went to Yonsei University for exchange during September-December 2022.

What motivated you to go to Korea on exchange?

Having been interested in the Korean language, culture and entertainment, I was excited to be able to experience it all firsthand. I wanted to learn more about Korean society, its people, and the social conventions that would be hard to learn of from afar. Being an Asian Language and Culture Minor focusing on Korea and being right at the heart of Seoul allowed me to venture deeper into this field and learn directly about the issues from where it happens. Whether it’s concerts, festivals, museums or good food, I can assure you Korea will provide you with an enjoyable and rewarding experience!

How does the Korean Language Program at UBC help you prepare for your exchange to Korea?

I completed KORN 200 at UBC before I left for exchange to Korea, and it definitely helped me become confident in holding simple conversations with Koreans and get around Seoul without problems. I encourage you to also be curious and motivated to keep learning even outside of the classroom, whether it be by watching your favourite K-dramas or variety shows closely, or listening to and translating your favourite K-pop tracks or even Korean poetry. This will help boost your familiarity with Korean much more to prepare yourself in using your Korean regularly in Seoul!

What’s one advice that you will give to a UBC student who is going to your partner university on exchange?

Enjoy your time to the fullest!

It goes by in a snap. Don’t be afraid to explore Korea and Seoul on your own! It’s a safe country. For Yonsei in particular: if you’re at Yonsei during the fall, participate in the Yon- Ko Games, and if you’re there in the spring, make sure to catch the Yonsei Akaraka Festival! I would also recommend taking Korean at Yonsei’s Korean Language Institute if you’re interested in improving your Korean further and more intensely. Definitely try out the many food options in Sinchon as well!