Living and studying abroad in another country has its unforgettable moments and its challenges. Since I traveled to South Korea before my study abroad exchange program, I had the chance to only think about the positives and the unforgettable moments I would make during the year. Because of this, I was a little naive and did not think I would face any big challenges. I knew the language, I lived here for three months before, and I had learned a lot of social and cultural rules to assimilate myself well, however, that was not the case. The difference between living here for three months and a year is completely different and makes you learn who you are.
The most challenging aspect I encountered was assimilating myself into a culture that is a little closed off and will always consider me a foreigner. On campus, many of the Korean Yonsei students were welcoming and would help foreign exchange students around them, but that was not the case when you wanted to join clubs or major events. Exchange students were not allowed to take part in big events such as Akaraka (the main Yonsei semester festival and concert), were secluded in sections at the Yonsei/Korea University cheering competition, and were not allowed to be included in their major department events. Though I was able to go to the cheering event and attend a meeting from my major department, I did not feel like I was fully welcomed and felt secluded. For Akaraka, the International Student department made it seem like we were able to attend for both semesters, but a few days before the ticket release we were told exchange students would not be able to attend. Some exchange students who wanted to attend bought extra tickets from Korean students for triple the price or stayed outside to listen to the music. I understand why there was some hesitation to add a whole group of exchange students to main campus events when it was a little hard for some Yonsei students to come back to campus after the pandemic.
It was challenging not being able to be considered a hardworking student and always being compared to an exchange student. Though I am just generalizing, other students in similar cases as I felt the same way and thought about how their exchange student experience would be if it was only for one semester. Even though I felt a little down attending classes or when there were main events on campus, I found myself meeting other Korean students from other campuses who were able to teach me about Korean college life and the workforce in Korea. I would say the best time I had was networking with Korean students from other Universities. Since there were fewer foreigners on their campuses, they were more curious about learning about my college life back in the States and the steps I took to attend UC Davis and Yonsei University.
I would not change my year experience for anything else and would recommend it to students who are fully capable and confident in facing challenges and staying alone in a foreign country. If I did have to change one thing it would be to attend another University, maybe one where not many International students attend. If there are fewer International students, exchange students will be able to learn more about their campus and not be compared to other foreign students.
I am more than glad I was able to have the opportunity to study abroad and be financially supported by the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship because I was able to learn and grow as a student and person in a foreign country. I found many resources and programs for Graduate Schools in Korea and learned that it would be best to take the TOPIK government Korean proficiency exam to have the best opportunities for my future career in South Korea.