By Honorary Reporter Emilia Bucsan from Romania

Photos = Tudoran Elena Isabelle

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) allows people from all over the world to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies in Korea. Isabelle from Romania is one such person and shares details of her life there in this interview.

How was your arrival in Korea?
I arrived in Korea in mid-August last year and had to enter quarantine for two weeks before the fall semester started because of COVID-19. Because I chose to pursue my degree at a university in Seoul, I had to study Korean outside of the capital, namely Chungnam National University in Daejeon. The first two weeks of quarantine at a university dormitory were hard especially because I was excited to be in Korea. I got fresh food and water from the university as well as snacks.

Did you make a lot of friends in Daejeon?
I got lucky with a bunch of nice people here. I think it's important for GKS students to unite since we're all away from home and alone in a foreign country. It's still hard to meet people due to the pandemic, but universities offer many opportunities through events, trips and activities to meet people and practice Korean. I am also a little homesick but have gotten familiar with the places, cafes and workers around me.

Restaurant and Mokcheokgyo in Daejeon (Tudoran Elena Isabelle)

What major did you choose to study and why?
My major is international relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. I want to learn more about Korea and its relationships with other countries and to contribute to the development of international relations worldwide, especially between Korea and my home country Romania.

What are your favorite spots to hang out in Korea?

Gung-dong is a Daejeon neighborhood popular with students that's right next to my university. The city, however, has fewer parks and places to walk around than Romania. But I traveled to Seoul last year and saw many delicious restaurants and places like big parks and tourist attractions.

The Gung-dong neighborhood of Daejeon is popular with students for its many restaurants and things to see. (Tudoran Elena Isabelle)

What is the most difficult part of learning Korean? Any study tips?
I think it's the vast vocabulary one must learn. For me, Korean grammar isn't very hard since the language grammatically is similar to Romanian. As with every language, however, one must learn many words and this is the main problem for me. As for study tips, self-study is just as important as studying in school. Among the many ways to improve your Korean are watching K-dramas, and if you live in Korea, don't be afraid to speak Korean.

What would you say to those wishing to apply for the GKS this year?
First, a full and normal experience isn't possible in Korea during the pandemic, and I hope COVID-19 ends this year. If coming to Korea is your dream, don't give up coming here. Studying and living in Korea will definitely help widen your horizons.

enny0611@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.