Studying at Seoul National University provided an opportunity to view Japan-Korea relations from multiple perspectives
Name: Tatsuki Shimada
Faculty/ Department/ Year (at the time of study abroad): Faculty of Global Studies, Department of Global Studies, 3rd year
Period of stay: February 2023 - July 2023
Destination: Seoul National University, Korea
Form of study abroad: Exchange program
Every year, many Sophia University students study abroad in countries all over the world outside of Japan. How did they manage to find their way through the differences in languages, cultures, and lifestyles? Here are some voices of students who studied abroad.
What made you decide to go on an exchange program?
I have been interested in the East Asian region since high school, and I originally planned to go on an exchange program while I was a university student. While studying my major after enrolling in university, I wanted to learn about Japan-Korea relations at the university in Korea, and I felt a growing desire to learn things that could only be learned there, so I decided to go on an exchange program.
How did you choose the location (country/university) of your study abroad?
Initially, I was interested in going to one of the universities in Korea, Hong Kong or Taiwan, but I finally decided to study in Korea because my studies at the undergraduate level developed my desire to learn about the transition of Japan-Korea relations from different perspectives, including historical, social and cultural aspects. The reason I chose Seoul National University was based on my research into the curriculum of each institution where exchange programs were available, and Seoul National University offered the most comprehensive courses in the areas of my interest.
Did you have any concerns about studying abroad?
I was worried about both everyday life and my studies. Having never lived away from my family before, I was worried about living on my own. At the same time, I was worried about my schoolwork and whether I would be able to keep up with the classes at this university, given that it is one of the top-ranked universities in Korea.
What did you do to prepare for your study abroad and what do you wish you had done?
Since I was going to take two courses on the history of Korea and the Korean peninsula during my exchange program, I read books on the history and society of Korea and the Korean peninsula before I went. However, in one of the classes I attended, I was often asked questions such as, “As a Japanese person, what do you think about this?” I felt that I should have learned more about Japanese history, society, and culture.
What was the atmosphere like at the university and among the students?
As one of the top universities in Korea, I felt that the students were very bright and capable. In class discussions, there were many students who had ideas and values that I did not have, and I felt that it was a learning environment where you could always grow. The university is located far from the centre of Seoul, so it has a large campus with shuttle buses running around the campus, surrounded by mountains and rich nature, so I could concentrate on my studies while enjoying the great outdoors.
How did you expand your circle of friends?
I participated in a buddy program called SNU Buddy, which pairs two or three exchange students with an SNU student, as an organization affiliated with SNU’s Office of International Cooperation, which is in charge of hosting international students. As there were many activities that combined a group of several buddies with Korean students, I was able to make friends with other exchange students in my group by participating in these activities. I was also able to make Korean friends outside of my SNU Buddy Group as other SNU students introduced me to their Korean friends.
Were there any differences in the lectures, learning content, or exams compared to those in Japan?
Since there was time for discussion in every class, I always attended lectures with that in mind. In terms of learning content, one of my goals while studying abroad was to take courses that I could only learn in Korea, so I enrolled in classes that covered various topics that were not available in Japan, such as North Korean history, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, social issues in contemporary Korean society, and traditional Korean music and instruments.
What did you put the most effort into outside of your studies?
As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” so I put a lot of effort into going on fieldwork to actually see for myself what I had learned. Since I had learned a lot about the history of Korea and the Korean Peninsula from my lectures during my study abroad, I actually went on fieldwork to visit the cities mentioned in the lectures. I feel that I was able to learn more about the content of the lectures by actually seeing it with my own eyes, such as participating in tours of Gwangju City, where the Gwangju Incident took place, Daegu City in the southeast, Gyeongju City, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty, and the Military Demarcation Line.
What are the special aspects of your study destination and any new discoveries you made?
As the main campus is located in a mountain called Mt. Kwan Yue, I was able to enjoy the vast nature within the campus. I especially liked walking around the campus, listening to music to relax and enjoy the peaceful environment.
What was the most outstanding and memorable experience for you?
When we discussed Japan-Korea relations in class, hearing the different perspectives of my classmates made me realize that my views were based on a one-way perspective from Japanese education and media sources, and that it was important to look at things from multiple perspectives.
What were some of the problems or difficulties you encountered while studying abroad? How did you overcome them?
We had discussions in every lecture, and I found it difficult to keep up with all the discussions. In order to prepare for the discussions, I would study beforehand and plan what I wanted to share with the class because the discussion topics were related to the class content.
Comparing before and after your study abroad, in what ways do you feel that you have grown or shifted your awareness?
I feel that because my stay in Korea was so short, I was motivated to take on various challenges, which increased my energy to take on various challenges even after I returned to Japan. During my stay there, I had the idea that I would like to experience as much as possible since it was only once I was there, so I participated in many events and activities, and I feel that this changed my mindset to take on challenges without fear.
How do you think your study abroad experience will affect your life in the future?
Through my study abroad experience, I have learnt the value of trying things that I have never done before, and I want to make the most of this experience and always be proactive in dealing with all sorts of matters that come up in my life.
What advice would you give to those wondering whether or not to study abroad?
As the saying goes, “regret is the fountain of virtue.” I have realised that even if I fail at something during my time abroad, those unsuccessful experiences will help me grow as a person. I myself experienced many setbacks and failures during my study abroad, but I believe that these experiences helped me grow and made me stronger. At the same time, I was able to meet many people and make precious friends. I will always treasure the time I spent meeting, laughing and crying with people from all walks of life. Through this experience, I was able to learn about ideas and values that I did not possess by being exposed to different groups of people, and gained invaluable experience with wonderful friends who helped me to grow and develop as a person. I hope you will find the courage to take the first step and enjoy your time abroad to the fullest.