By Shuka Iwamoto
Now that the number of people going to study abroad is increasing, the reasons why these people go abroad are various, such as career advancement and language training. Have you ever been interested in studying abroad Korea? I am currently studying in Korea, joining the Double Degree Program of the University of Shimane and University of Ulsan. I would like to share two reasons why I decide to seek two degrees in Japan and Korea.
First, I have always wanted to learn Korean history and culture since I was a junior high school student. I have made Korean friends and have had conversations with them through language learning apps. During the conversation, I realized differences in perceptions of history and politics between Japanese and Koreans. Especially in terms of history and politics, there have been disagreements. Through this experience, I wanted to go to Korea and learn about their culture, history and politics.
Second, I want to improve my Korean language ability. I started studying Korean on my own when I was a junior high school student, and by high school I was able to read, write and speak to some extent. While studying Korean on my own, I became interested in how Hangul was established and the differences in dialects between regions. I wanted to deepen my understanding of Korean language.
I made up my mind to study abroad, and now I’m in Korea to study and learn various things that are different from Japan. There are also many Chinese, Vietnamese, and English-speaking foreign students as well as Koreans, and there are classes with them, so it is very helpful to learn about various cultures other than Korea.
A lot of people hesitate of studying abroad because it is expensive. But the Double Degree Program of the University of Shimane and the University of Ulsan is very reasonable, because the tuition to the University of Ulsan is excepted. I am able to improve my language skills, and I am able to broaden your horizon. I hope my experiences can help you make a good decision.
