By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Celena Davis from Jamaica

Finding Korean in your city might be difficult, finding Korean in your local university might be impossible. London University offers a solution.

There are only three universities in the United Kingdom, which offer the opportunity to study Korean language and culture, and of those, the one that stands out above the rest in the study of the regions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East is the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). It is a unique institution, which enables students to study a variety of subjects in the field of regional studies.

SOAS boasts the largest concentration of Korean specialists in Europe, making it the place to study Korean. They offer undergraduate programs leading to a BA, one in Korean language (four years with a year in Seoul) and the other in Korean Studies (three years without a year abroad). Students can combine Korean with a range of subjects such as politics, law and economics as well as pursue postgraduate studies in Korean language and culture.

It is also home to the London Korean Music School where a series of societies offer lessons in Korean drumming (centered around samulnori—percussion music derived from traditional Korean music); gayageum (a 12-string zither); wind instruments; pansori (a long, solo epic song) and traditional Korean dance. These societies offer a unique opportunity to actively engage in Korean culture without paying an exorbitant fee.

Alongside the degree programs and societies, SOAS also organizes public events which introduce students and non-students alike to various aspects of Korean culture, such as Korean cinema, literature and dance. Those who do not want to pursue a degree but have a keen interest in Korea can also study Korean here as SOAS is home to the United Kingdom’s King Sejong Institute.

SOAS is one of the world’s most international universities. So if you’re struggling to find a Korean program in your home nation, SOAS might be the place to pursue your Korean passion. Even if you are not a budding student, making a trip to SOAS will allow you to stock up on language resources and expert advice.

If you want to discover Korea in London, SOAS is a great place to start.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.