One of the advantages of studying at SKKU is its historic central location in Seoul. Our next-door neighbour is the rear palace garden of Changdeokgung, and we’re situated near Daehangno, but if you like walking (or hiking) you can easily get to Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, and many of the downtown markets by foot.
“Seoul campus is very picturesque,” said Juho Valtonen, a Finnish exchange student. “I like the blend of old and modern architecture. I’d also recommend visitors to go see the old campus: it’s very nice, like a temple. Also the views from atop of the hill are very nice, but that takes a bit of climbing up the mountain. I went there quite a few times to admire the view.”
For the first day after Orientation, the ISS students were treated to a special on-campus performance of Nanta, the renowned non-verbal percussion comedy show. As well, Lim Young-hee from the KSCPP joined us to deliver a lecture on Korean culture and history and also give the students a chance to try on Hanboks. There were lots of students and not enough Hanboks, and most of the students wanted to take their time modeling traditional Korean clothes on stage.
After lunch, it was a short trip around the corner to Gyeongbokgung, the largest and most magnificent of Seoul’s five palaces. Following that, we went up the block to the traditional market Insadong, where I ended up drinking craft makgeolli with Brazilian students until curfew.
None of this would have been possible without the team of blue-shirted ISS student assistants who led the students around and took care of their needs and concerns for the rest of the semester.
“[I was surprised by] how friendly and helpful the teaching assistants were throughout the entire programme,” said Rob Dixon of the University of Sheffield. “While I expected them to be reasonably useful I was shocked by their willingness to befriend any student who needed assistance or a guide. They were great!”
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