Studying Abroad in Seoul: Student Life, K-Pop and Culture at Kookmin University
Hello! I’m a Korean student currently studying at Kookmin University in Seoul. After being here for a few months now, I have had many new and interesting experiences!
Firstly, Seoul is a unique and beautiful city. Amongst the urban city landscape, there is a harmonious mix of nature and history. Taking long walks to explore the sights of various neighbourhoods has become a new hobby of mine. Through doing this, I have discovered gardens and streams, such as in the photos below:
I also visited Gyeongbokgung palace, the largest royal palace in Seoul, and rented out traditional Korean clothing too (which grants free entry!) The contrast between the intricate architecture of the palace combined with the tall skyline is breath-taking, especially at night when it is all lit up.
I would also recommend going to the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, which provided a fascinating insight into the history of South Korea and its formidable development after the devastation of colonial rule and the Korean war.
One of the highlights of my time here so far has been experiencing the concert of my favourite K-pop group. Before even entering the stadium, the atmosphere of the concert venue was so welcoming, with fans giving out free gifts and snacks. There were many fun events and merch stalls too. The concert itself was so fun! The performances were incredible, and I was moved by the members’ efforts to show their appreciation for their fans, greeting as many members of the audience as possible.
Another joy of mine has been trying the variety of food that can be found in Seoul. I’ve been finding fusion foods particularly intriguing, such as when I tried kimchi risotto (which was delicious). I also enjoy going to themed cafes of my favourite characters:
There are many unique twists and flavours to experience. Pizza, for example, is available with many toppings that typically wouldn’t be found in the UK, such as sweet potato, honey and corn. Getting food delivered is also very convenient and affordable. Many restaurants are open 24 hours a day. Most convenience stores are also open 24/7, which has been extremely helpful if I need to make a sudden trip.
On the topic of places being open 24/7, there are also many activities that can be experienced at any time of day, such as karaoke and photobooths. I have fallen in love with going to karaoke rooms, in which you get your own private room where you can sing alone or with friends too! Photobooths are also a lot of fun, with new themes featuring characters and celebrities being updated often.
Overall, I am really enjoying my study abroad experience so far. It’s a great opportunity to push myself to try new things and make connections with new people. Whilst I can’t say it has always been easy, since coming here I have become a lot more outgoing and feel I have grown so much as a person.
Find out more about studying abroad at York St John
