Hello! My name is Jovi Yoshioka, and I studied abroad at Korea University (KU) for three weeks in Seoul, South Korea during the 2023-2024 Winter term. I encountered unexpected and unforgettable moments, from eating live octopus to enjoying a sky view of the beautiful snow-covered city. Seoul surpassed my initial expectations, jam-packed with engaging academics and fun explorations. I made friends from around the world and had many new experiences.

I studied social psychology at KU, attending class from 9 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Monday through Friday. The course consisted of two open-book exams, one presentation, and daily homework assignments, which involved reading textbook chapters and writing reflective discussion posts. The course was fast paced, but having to only focus on one course made it more manageable. Although social psychology is not directly related to my computer science major, it provided me with insight into how people feel, think, and behave within social and cultural contexts, which is valuable for me to be more aware of myself as well as others. This social awareness is especially important in strengthening my leadership skills, understanding how different people approach different situations and how to foster a more collaborative team dynamic. I studied alongside students from around the world, including South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia. This international dynamic exposed me to a wider range of cultural perspectives and eye-opening discussions that are often difficult to attain in a domestic class.

After class, I had the rest of the day to explore Seoul. With a highly reliable, extensive, and relatively cheap public transit system, it was extremely easy and safe to travel around the city. I enjoyed visiting cultural landmarks, eating delicious food, and simply walking around the beautiful city. By wandering around, I stumbled across some really cool spots. I once found a street filled with local shops and restaurants with street performers, from magic shows to K-pop singers. One of my favorite memories was dressing up in a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of five grand palaces in Seoul. It was not only beautiful, but it was also interesting to learn about its history. Another favorite memory was seeing The Ong-Als: Babbling Comedy, a non-verbal comedy show. I initially thought there might be a cultural disconnect in humor; however, the show made me laugh more than any other show I have ever seen. I believe these experiences exemplify one of the great things about studying abroad – you will gain fun and memorable experiences that you could have never imagined, as long as you stay open-minded.

For closing remarks, I want to mention some lessons that I learned and tips for studying abroad. Living in a country where the language is completely foreign can be initially very daunting. However, with today’s modern technology, it is extremely accessible. Translation features, especially with the ability to take a photo of text and translate it directly on a phone, substantially minimizes language barriers. Map apps make it very easy to navigate, simply by “following the guiding line.” Prior to traveling to a country, I would suggest researching cultural norms. For example, in South Korea, it is important to keep quiet on the metro. Additionally, you typically pay for meals at the front of a restaurant after eating instead of a waiter or waitress picking up your payment from the table. Some of these norms are important to ensure you are being respectful (e.g., the metro) while others can ensure you are not lost (e.g., waiting forever at a restaurant table to pay). Lastly, balance appropriately between spending time with others and solo adventuring. I had amazing, fun experiences exploring the city with friends, but looking around alone on my own schedule with my own preferences was enjoyable as well.

Studying abroad ultimately provided me with a unique and valuable opportunity to experience a new culture, meet new people, gain new knowledge, and ultimately make unforgettable memories.

---