Student Life at Yonsei!

One of the things that has made studying abroad in South Korea so much fun has been getting the opportunity to do so at Yonsei University! Being an exchange student in South Korea is one thing, but being an exchange student at an institution part of Korea’s “SKY” universities is another thing entirely. Since the incredible orientation that allowed us to set foot on campus for the first time, I’ve been in love with being a student here.

Yonsei University’s main campus is located in Sinchon, a region in Seoul near Hongdae and Yeonnam, and the place I’ve been lucky enough to call home for the last four months. It’s a big campus filled with large, gorgeously designed buildings, and is home to lots of greenery and plant life. I’ve been fortunate enough to see flowers bloom all across the campus, and to have the opportunity to walk through a small forest everyday on the way to class. It’s one of my favorite parts of the school day! I know I’m going to miss being a student here fiercely. Another small bonus for us as Yonsei students with this program is that the CIEE office is conveniently located in an easily reachable place on campus, so that we can always go to them when we need!

The classes I was able to get into have also been a really fun part of going here! I’m in five classes, as all CIEE students are required to be, and all of them are interesting in their own ways, allowing me to have quite a versatile experience as a student at Yonsei. I think my favorite class so far has been my Arts of Asia course, taught by professor Taylor Park! It is difficult coursework for me, admittedly, but I’ve really enjoyed learning about the different pieces of art over the course of the semester.

Another fun aspect about being a Yonsei student is how big on school spirit the university is! One of the really fun events I had the chance to attend was the Yonsei vs KU cheer hosted at Korea University! We showed up in our jackets to a fun event filled with so much energy and students headbanging like their lives depended on it. About halfway through, my friend and I went to go meet another friend on the Korea University side, so we got to see the action from two perspectives! It was so much fun, and a night I look back on fondly!

Lastly, Yonsei boasts a large number of clubs, having an organization for just about everything under the sun! I had the fortunate opportunity to join the ballroom club, Yonsei Step, which has been so much fun for me! I’ve made a lot of new friends from all over, and gotten to broaden my horizons as a dancer! It also challenges me to step up my Korean, due to a large percent of the club being local Yonsei students!

Overall, I have had the time of my life at Yonsei, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I hope to return one day in the future, should that be the path I take!