Author” Senjut Chanda | Major: Mechanical Engineering | Semester: Winter 25-26
Direction of U.S. Cities, Seoul Tower
After I got settled at my dorm at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, I decided to go have a quick stroll down to the convenience store to grab some ramen. The temperature outside was negative, but I was still waiting for my friends at the outdoor dining table to come discuss where we should go for the next three weeks. We did not have that much time, as we were there for the Winter Intersession program, and I knew we needed to plan to make the most out of our trip. I was excited to visit the areas around me, immersing myself in a culture completely unknown to me. Along with the culture, I was fascinated to know more about the appliances, shops, and services available that may impact everyday life differently than they do in the States.
I knew I was given a valuable opportunity to go to Seoul as a student, not a tourist. Being a student engaged in Korean society, rather than just visiting the country, gave me a better understanding of how life is different abroad. Moreover, I was able to attend classes on campus and meet other international students, increasing my exposure to diversity. While I was interested in learning what life is like in Korea, Korea University’s curriculum finalized my decision to choose the program. There was a wide selection of STEM classes available in a short period, allowing me to further my education in a meaningful and timely manner. The class I decided to take was Introduction to Machine Learning. In this class, we covered basic machine learning models, including random forest regression, which I plan to use in my research. Machine Learning gave me a newfound admiration for data science. As a physics major, I was intrigued by the similarities between the subjects and how interconnected our world is regarding mathematics. Something that stood out to me was that he said to the class, “I don’t hate you all for giving hard work, I love you all to make sure the money and time you spent here was well worth it.” I appreciated the respect and vigor with which the work was done. While it was a difficult class, our professor did give us some leisure time to enjoy the sights of Seoul.
One such example is that I went to the Gyeongbokgung Palace with my roommate. It was the primary seat of the Joseon dynasty, established in 1395. People could rent a hanbok (traditional Korean dress) and get free entry to the palace. My roommate went to get dressed up, but I, however, got too busy eating gimbap. While I was finishing my meal, she ran up to me from the Hanbok rental area, telling me that the palace entry tickets would close in 10 minutes. I shove the last piece of gimbap in my mouth and start running to the palace before it closes. I did end up making it at the end and truly enjoyed the beauty of the piece of history encapsulated between the city towers.
Out of all the districts I have been to, Hongdae was my favorite. It had a different atmosphere from the other districts. It was energetic, very crowded, and a bit chaotic, quite different from the quieter, densely populated streets I have been on before. There were many street shops selling clothes at good prices and places to eat street food. I was able to see street performances, including fighting and dancing. Hongdae also brings back good memories, as I made friends abroad and shared experiences like Korean barbecue and deep conversations.
On the flip side of busy, chaotic streets, I found a hidden gem. As someone who grew up on the quieter side of Arkansas, a challenge I faced in Seoul was finding a place that offered a peaceful, quiet environment. Comic cafes are private, pay-by-the-hour lounges where someone could read comics, watch TV, play board games, eat lunch, and spend time in a comfortable environment. I found these places by chance while looking for a café to relax in, especially after a busy day at Lotte World, an amusement park. Discovering comic cafés helped me adapt to Seoul by offering a sense of calm that reminded me of home, proving that even in the busiest cities, there are spaces that let people slow down and recharge.
A valuable lesson I learned while studying abroad in Korea is to eat well for my body and take care of my health. While I could have learned this lesson anywhere, my experience in Korea exposed me to a world where health is much more cherished. Koreans take care of themselves, and the government prioritizes citizen health. People had multiple side dishes and many veggies with every meal. Korea’s society was poor, so many of its eating habits were carried over into today’s culinary culture. This means food is very sacred and taken seriously. I enjoyed the affordable, healthy, and tasty options in Korean cuisine, and I plan to incorporate its principles of health and sustainability into the meals I cook. I would advise studying abroad as a great way to immerse yourself in another society and gain experiences that don’t exist in your home country. However, it is important to note that it can get lonely, especially in countries where English is not spoken. I was fortunate to make friends with students from diverse international backgrounds and a similar mindset toward meeting others, but I did have to be more confident in approaching them. Despite the challenges, the experience showed me that the rewards of studying abroad come from stepping outside your comfort zone and actively building connections in unfamiliar environments.