Meet Esther, a German student in Seoul, Korea. She’s immersing herself in Korean culture and language at Education First for five months. Esther loves K-pop, the vibrant night views, and the bustling city life of Seoul, despite challenges with formality and cost of living differences compared to Germany.
Interview – Study in Korea
- WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
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Germany
- WHAT DO YOU DO IN KOREA?
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I am currently studying Korean language in a language school located in Seoul called Education First. I am studying here for five months and will then return home.
- WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN KOREA?
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I wanted to experience a culture very different from my own, besides that, I love the language and the flow of it. I listen to K-pop and enjoy things like K-dramas.
- WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN THIS CITY?
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I am staying in Seoul simply for the fact that not only is my school located here but it’s also the capital, which shows a lot of variety in cultural aspects, including the food and people, as well as the architecture.
- WHERE IS YOUR LOCAL RECOMMENDATION IN THIS CITY?
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My top recommendation is Myeongdong! It’s my favorite place to go to for shopping and eating. It has a variety of shops (underground mall, clothing shops along the street) and street food as well as restaurants. It also has a lot of K-pop-themed stores and tourist attractions like the cable car to Namsan Tower, the 12-floor Daiso, and more.
- WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST WHILE STAYING ABROAD?
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My favorite thing here besides the food, the way people dress, and the K-pop culture is definitely the night view of the city. It’s breathtaking every single time and I enjoy riding around in the bus during nighttime just to look at the shining city.
- WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE BEING IN KOREA?
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The formality. I never know how to act around older people that I do not know very well and it makes me feel anxious. I do not want to come of as cold but I do not want to come off as too chatty either.
- WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KOREA AND YOUR COUNTRY?
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There are a lot. First off the transportation system is completely different. We have different kinds of ticketing and our stations are not protected the way Korean train stations are. The food is also very different: Koreans eat a lot more rice and meat while we in Germany eat a lot more bread and fruits and vegetables. The grocery prices also differ a lot. I pay a lot more for groceries in Korea than I do in Germany.
- DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS?
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I feel a lot more like myself here and I have learned so much about my emotions, boundaries, and strengths as well as weaknesses. I learned to be more comfortable and confident in my own skin. I know even after going back home I will visit Korea often.
- WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?
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My dream is to be someone who enjoys the little things in life, someone who is just fully themselves, not without fearing judgment but standing above it anyways.
- MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS WHO WILL GO TO KOREA.
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DO IT! It’s SO worth it and no matter when you do it or how long you stay you will learn and grow so much and come back a changed person. Korea is a country everyone should visit once in their life, it’s so full of vibrant life and beautiful culture.
- HOW DO YOU LEARN KOREAN?
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I am studying in classes with books, workbooks, and worksheets provided by the teachers. They teach classes every day from Monday to Friday and we have around 4:30 hours of school every day.
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