[Study abroad experience] Ms. Yuki Teramura, XNUMXst year student in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Yuki Teramura, XNUMXst year, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
[Destination] Kyungpook National University (South Korea)
[Study abroad period] August XNUMX, XNUMX to August XNUMX, XNUMX (XNUMX weeks)
[Type of study abroad] Short-term study abroad at a partner university

What did you do to prepare for studying abroad?

　I bought new household appliances such as hair dryers and curling irons for overseas use.I prepared two conversion plugs.One was attached to the dryer I bought, and I purchased another one separately just in case.

Please tell us about the atmosphere of the university and students.

　The grounds were so vast that it was impossible to go around them all during the campus tour.There were many new buildings, plants were well taken care of, and there was a sense of cleanliness.Since it was summer vacation, I didn't see many current students, but it was lively with exchange students from Vietnam and China.
　Daegu has a lot of slopes, so I was impressed by the sight of students standing and riding scooters around the campus.

Please tell us your impressions of the class

　The focus was on learning common idioms.The teacher gave the class in Korean, but he gave us an easy-to-understand class using simple words that we could understand.

What kind of cultural experience activities did you have?

　There were various cultural experiences such as Hanbok experience, Chinese medicine soap making experience, K-pop dance, and Taekwondo.
　In addition, after visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, we stayed at a hanok (traditional Korean house) guesthouse in the city, where we were able to feel the historical architecture of Korea up close.

Please tell us about recommended sightseeing spots

　If you enjoy shopping in Daegu city, Seomun Market is recommended.It is a traditional market that has been around since the Joseon Dynasty and is also famous as a tourist attraction.Everything from daily necessities to food is sold here, so it's fun just to look around.The night market is also open, and you can buy food and sweets at low prices at the stalls, so it's also attractive to be able to eat while walking until late at night.

　There are a lot of cafes in Korea, and each one is stylish, so we recommend visiting cafes.There are many tapioca shops, but compared to the shops in urban areas in Japan, the number of customers was less, so it was nice to be able to buy without lining up.

Please tell us what you remember

　When I wanted to go to a certain store and asked a local person for directions, I was happy that my words were understood.Even with my poor Korean, I was able to communicate with the other person, which gave me confidence.

　Also, while the political relationship between Japan and South Korea was deteriorating, I was warmly welcomed by the local teachers and students, and my anxiety disappeared.

Did you have any trouble

　I forgot to pick up the Wi-Fi and panicked as soon as I left the country.
　Luckily, my cell phone company offered a plan that allows data communication overseas, so I was able to use the internet without a Wi-Fi router.

Please tell us what you learned through studying abroad

　I learned that it is important not to be afraid of failure when communicating with people.As it was my first time traveling abroad, I was often nervous, but if I try to have a positive attitude, I can have conversations with native speakers even if my language is difficult.