Posts published in “College in South Korea”

Reasons for Applying for the Double Degree Program in Japan and Korea

Reasons for Applying for the Double Degree Program in Japan and Korea

August 8, 2023

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.

Ways for Study Abroad Students to Overcome Culture Shock

Ways for Study Abroad Students to Overcome Culture Shock

August 24, 2022

By Hina Inoue

In today’s globalized world, it became common for students to experience studying abroad. Study abroad is a great opportunity for students to broaden their thinking. However, there are times when students fail to understand cultural differences and they experience culture shock. How can students overcome culture shock in foreign countries?

Culture shock is the feeling of severe anxiety when someone is placed in an environment that is very different from the familiar one. They become impatient because they cannot understand what is happening around them. They also feel alienated and blocked out, which can affect their interpersonal relationships. Culture shock can become stressful and lead to long-term negative feelings. Students who study abroad are exposed to many cultural differences. If their culture shock is too great, they may need to give up studying abroad and leave for their home countries.

The first solution to overcoming culture shock is to accept culture shock as a natural consequence of study abroad. Study abroad students¥ are foreigners, and it is natural to feel uncomfortable with the host culture. Culture shock is a stage in the process of adapting to a new culture. Therefore, there is no need to be overly anxious about culture shock. By doing so, the culture that made you feel uncomfortable in a foreign country will become familiar to you before you know it. Eventually, you will be willing to experience and accept the new culture. It is also important to realize that you do not need to accept all the differences. Everything you see is new and shocking, but you don’t have to agree with them. By recognizing that it is natural to experience culture shock and that you don’t need to like everything about the host culture, the stress will be relieved.

The second way to overcome culture shock is to talk to friends and family. Conversation with family members and friends from the same country will relieve the stress of culture shock. This is because even in the midst of a confusing situation in a different culture, people who share the same culture can be a source of comfort. During study abroad, a place where people can vent these anxieties will become a mental refuge for them. It is reassuring to know someone understands your feeling that you are feeling uncomfortable. Talking honestly about your feelings with family and friends can help change the difficult situation.

Culture shock is part of study abroad. But knowing it is possible to overcome culture shock can help students complete their study abroad programs. They can overcome culture shock by understanding that it is natural to experience culture shock and by sharing the feelings of discomfort with friends. Experiencing new cultures makes people anxious, but they also help people grow. Enjoy coping with different cultures by knowing solutions.

Goblins and an Old Man with a Lump

February 17, 2020

Kim Seung Mi

University of Ulsan

In Korea, This is a story about goblins.

An old man with a lump on his cheek went walking deep inside a mountain alone one day until eventually darkness came. Being alone in the middle of the mountain made him frightened, so he started to sing a song to get over his fear, and then suddenly, threatening looking goblins appeared.

The old man begged them to save his life then the goblins ordered him to sing the song again. They danced with his song and when it was over, they asked the old man what was the secret for his singing. The old man touched his lump, which was out of habit, but the goblins thought the lump was the secret. He denied it, but the goblins never listened. They gave the man a treasure and took his lump off.

The day after, the story of the old man went through the village, and a greedy old man with a lump on his cheek heard that too. The greedy old man went to the exact same place at night and sang a song. The goblins came again. The greedy old man said, “My lump has all the merry songs in the world. I will give you my lump if you give me enough gold.” But these goblins already knew the truth because the very lump they took off the other day was not the secret for singing well. Then, the main goblin ordered his friends to give the lump they had on the cheek of the greedy old man. Also, they scolded him with their bats. The greedy old man got one more lump on the other cheek instead of getting rid of his old lump.

In this story, the greedy old man tried to take off his lump but he got one more lump instead. “I tried to take it off, but I put it on instead” is one of the well-known old sayings in Korea. Whenever someone uses tricks to take the easy way, but finally has more difficulties, we use it for him or her. This saying is a warning so that we do not cheat others and be honest to each other.

Teahwagang (Teahwa River) National Garden

February 17, 2020

University of Ulsan

Hong Woo Jin

Imagine feeling nature in the middle of the city. In a busy urban life, a park in the city allows us to relax and heal. In Ulsan, there is Taehwagang (Teahwa River) National Garden. On July 11, 2019, Taehwagang Park in Ulsan was selected as a national garden and it is South Korea’s second national garden.

During Japanese occupation, bamboo was planted at the Teahwa River in order to prevent floods and a small park was formed around the bamboo forest. The city of Ulsan has gradually developed Taehwagang Park for its citizens. They built a walkway where citizens could take a walk, rest, and exercise.

But there were some problems at first. Originally, the Taehwa River was a very polluted river. There used to be a bad smell, too. So, the city of Ulsan tried for a long time to improve the water quality of the Taehwa River. As a result, salmon and yellowfin returned into the Teahwa River and it became a ‘river of life.’

Later, the city of Ulsan tried to develop Taehwagang Park, which was finally selected as a national garden. Teahwagang National Garden has an area of 835,452 square meters, and is divided into eight sections: ecological garden, bamboo garden, seasonal garden, aquatic garden, participatory garden, mugunghwa garden, green garden and convenience facilities.

In spring, the flower garden in Taehwagang National Garden offers a splendid scenery created by over 60 million spring flowers including poppies, cornflowers, and golden coreopsis. It is the largest single riverside flower garden in the country.

Taehwagang National Garden, where citizens can relax, take a walk and feel nature in the center of the city, is one of the best tourist attractions to visit when people come to Ulsan. For those who read this article, I recommend visiting Taehwagang National Garden if you come to Ulsan.

The International Students Support Club, HOW.U

February 17, 2020

Somin Im

University of Ulsan

Have you ever experienced studying abroad? These days, the number of international students studying in Korea is increasing every year. Especially, the University of Ulsan is currently interacting with more than 50 universities abroad, so more and more foreign students come to the University of Ulsan to study. However, living in an unfamiliar country with no acquaintances and taking classes in different language can be challenging. To solve these problems, there is a student club called HOW.U which assists international students to adapt to the Korean life.

HOW.U is a club under the University of Ulsan, International office. The name of the club stands for ‘Hang Out with Us’, which means everyone is welcome to visit and hang out. The main function of this club is to help international students who need assistance at school or in their daily lives. For example, students with lack of Korean skills who might have problems reading and filling out documents in Korean, when opening a bank account or registering for an alien registration card.

Another function of HOW.U is planning and organizing events for both international and Korean students. Every semester, members of HOW.U make plans for fresh and enjoyable events for all students to join. One of the best events was the ‘World food festival’, because students from different countries were able to introduce their food and everyone could taste new foods and learn about various cultures. Also, there are events like ‘Welcoming Parties’, ‘Sports Day’, ‘Movie Night’ and ‘Experiencing Korean Holidays’.

With the help of HOW.U, international students can easily make friends and adapt to the Korean culture. At the same time, Korean students in University of Ulsan can experience various foreign cultures through the events and become friends with foreign students. This club gives great opportunities for both international and Korean students who want to communicate with each other, and comes highly recommended for those wishing to settle into life at the University of Ulsan.

Apple’s Latest and Most Popular Items

Apple’s Latest and Most Popular Items

February 17, 2020

Choi Yeji

University of Ulsan

A few weeks ago, Apple released iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. However, which one is better between the two new products? There are several differences between the two iPhones.

First of all, the cameras are different. The iPhone 11 has a dual-camera system with an ultra-wide camera that can zoom out for sweeping landscapes or vast interiors. In contrast, the iPhone 11 Pro has a triple-camera system that is able to add a Telephoto lens for pro-level portraits and the ability to zoom in on distant subjects like wildlife and sporting events.

Second, they have a difference in battery life. The iPhone 11 gives an impressive all-day battery life that can be used for up to 17 hours. The iPhone 11 Pro on the other hand provides 18 hours which represents a major leap forward of up to four more hours of battery life than iPhone XS.

Third, they are different in water resistance. The iPhone 11 is water-resistant to a depth of two meters for 30 minutes. On the other hand, the iPhone 11 Pro works to a depth of four meters for the same minutes.

Lastly, they present different storage spaces. Both of the iPhones supply 64GB and 256GB, but 128GB is only available for the iPhone 11, and 512GB is exclusively for the iPhone 11 Pro. Given these points, consumers should compare different features between the two devices before they purchase them.

BTS Unites the World with Music

BTS Unites the World with Music

February 13, 2020

Lee Yun Ah

University of Ulsan

It is said by some, that BTS is like the Beatles of the present generation. Of course, there are so many K-pop idols in Korea, but why has the world gone crazy for BTS, and what are the reasons for BTS being considered as one of the biggest and most popular groups in the world?

The first reason is due to their sincere communication with their fans. They usually communicate with each other via SNS and various applications. So, BTS creates a strong emotional bond with fans by sharing their lives and thoughts. Their fandom name is called the ”Army”. It means that BTS and fandom are always with each other because the uniform and army are always together. After all, they have mutually beneficial relationship. When a fan gets good energy from BTS, they give back their love to BTS in various ways.

Secondly, it is due to their good songs and lyrics. Their lyrics are mostly about comforting and touching songs for young people and socially underprivileged people. They also give good messages to people, not only about love songs between men and women. Also, there are many hit songs among them. Moreover, most of the members are good at composing and writing the lyrics, and even producing large portions of the entire album personally. It makes their position shine even higher as true global artists.

Finally, their performance is extraordinary. In fact, the reason for the influx of foreign fans is because of this perfect military dance maneuvers. Most of the songs famous for their perfect military dances can be seen well in strong beat songs such as ”IDOL, DOPE, MIC-Drop, Fake Love, Dionysus and DNA.” Especially, there is a trio called the dance line among them who always center their performances to create perfection with their military dance. In addition, J-Hope, who holds the position as leader of the dance among members, was already famous for dancing in his hometown of Gwangju before his debut. If you are curious about J-Hope’s dance skills, you can watch J-Hope and Becky-G’s remake song of “Chicken Noodle Soup” on YouTube.

Actually, there are many another reasons why BTS is popular. The above are just three reasons why. If you want to know more about BTS, you should join in the “Army”.

Rise of Study Tribes in Korean Cafes

Rise of Study Tribes in Korean Cafes

January 16, 2019

An Ju Hui, University of Ulsan

The phrase Ca-gong-jok is a newly-termed word that is an abbreviation of Korean words meaning “study tribe in a café”, and refers to those people who study for long periods of time in one café setting. In Korea, the number of Ca-gong-jok is increasing steadily and this phenomenon makes for endless debates.

The affirmative side states that the cost of the beverage fee includes the right to enjoy the relaxed ambience of the cafe. In fact, according to some research, white noise improves work efficiency. Sounds such as background music or humming or the sound of friendly conversation helps one to concentrate more deeply. Therefore, the positive opinion of Ca-gong-jok is somewhat based on scientific grounds. Moreover, when people have to work in groups, it is convenient to gather in a cafe for a meeting, since people cannot talk one another in a library. Other research results show that studying through discussion with others is more effective than just studying by oneself, and that a cafe where people can study with other people in a cozy atmosphere may just be the best place to learn.

In contrast, most of the opponents are owners of café’s. The more Ca-gong-jok who study in their cafes, the fewer customers they are able to serve. Once a Ca-gong-jok sit at a table, they usually spend at least 2-3 hours studying. Although they purchase a cup of coffee, it could not exceed the sales to other customers. Furthermore, they use electricity, Wi-Fi, water resources and so forth. Even if it seems small, the total costs could place a heavy burden on owners. In addition, some Ca-gong-jok occasionally glare at other customers in order to make them keep quite. So even if the one of the purposes of going to cafe was to talk or chat with friends, these kinds of stares would put an end to it, and could lead to a decline of customers. It is no wonder why so many owners are feeling apprehensive.

All in all, Ca-gong-jok deserve to be treated the same as any other customers. In my opinion, the atmosphere of café spaces let people feel unconventional and refreshed and that perhaps leads to increased concentration. Provided that these new tribes comprehend the difficulties faced by owners and moderate their behavior, they might just become a new culture of the cafe industry globally.

How to Make Most of College

How to Make Most of College

June 21, 2018

These days, a high school diploma does not the end people’s education, as more and more people choose to enroll at Universities across the globe. But surviving on campus is becoming increasingly difficult to university students. To understand these difficulties we conducted a survey to see how students feel about their school life. Many classmates say that is so boring, because they have plenty of time but do not know what to do. However, from my point of view, the campus life in university is interesting and can be colorful as long as you make it meaningful. After starting my course roughly one year ago I was surprised to find the vast differences between high school and university. For example, in high school, we always rely on parents and teachers to solve all the problems, but in university, we have to rely on ourselves. More importantly, we must also learn how to do deal with our classmates and roommates. The four years we will spend at university is very important, but it is also very short, so here is some of my advice on how to make the most of your time at University.

The first is to become familiar with all the main buildings on the campus. Students should spend one to two hours on a campus walk, and become familiar with the local library, canteen, post office, classrooms and other important places like the hospital. Next, try to become self-reliant. Learn to make your own decisions, to arrange how to use our time, how to plan your expenses and so on, but also learn to wash your own clothes. Furthermore, develop good study habits through the exchange of student ideas and learn from each other. Finally, students should actively participate in various activities and let themselves be lively, outgoing, and friendly with classmates. All of these factors will make lead to personal growth and make your time at University a bit more bearable. Treasure your college years. Make the best of your free time, become an independent thinker, evolve yourself into a multicultural talent, be bold to experiment, learn and grow through your successes and challenges. Only then will you be able claim that you have made the most of your time at University. After all, we can only be students once.

You Ying, University of Ulsan