A Glimpse at the Life of a Korean University Student

It is really hard to understand the life of a student from another country. You are only able to see just a glimpse of what their life is actually like, and how different it is from yours. The only way to truly get an understanding is either live through it or talk to someone who has. It is a common subject that comes up between me and a friend of mine I met in South Korea.

Chae Yeon is currently a student at the University of Ulsan in South Korea. She has studied in America for a couple of semesters so she has wonderful English that floors me every time I hear her switch between English and Korean so smoothly.

The only picture we got together in person is this one, right after my surgery.....

When it comes to living as a student in Korea, there are a couple of key difference that she pointed out to me. In Korea, the saying 'dress to impress' is what dictates everyday life. On a Korean campus, it is more common to see everyone dressed nicely, like heels and handbags nicely. Chae Yeon told me that the common speculation of a Korean student is that most Americans wear jeans and a t-shirt to school.   

Another thing that she noticed when she came to America to study, is that Americans are not particularly afraid of eating alone. In Korea, she explained, eating alone is like committing "social suicide." Meals are often seen as a time to be social with your friends and upperclassmen, or Sunbaes. 

Lastly, when it comes to Sunbaes, it is common for the upperclassmen to look after the freshman. While this isn't necessarily untrue for college in America, it is at a different level entirely. It is common for upperclassmen to buy meals for underclassmen. Chae Yeon told me that is not weird to ask a Sunbae for a free meal, it is almost expected.

Long story short: Chae Yeon and others took a picture of me around Seoul since I couldn't go.

Even though there are differences between being a student in Korea versus being a student in America, the most important take away is that school is what you make of it. What you take away from your school experience shapes who you are and it is important to remember that when life becomes stressful.