Queen Mary University of London student, Khatera, attended Seoul National University this summer for a GO Summer! exchange programme. Khatera studied Hallyu and Korean Media culture.

When I first received the email about opportunities to travel abroad, I didn’t really pay attention. I thought it was just the same typical countries in Europe and America. Then I saw South Korea on the list, and now five months after that moment, Korea has changed who I am and what I want from life.

The reason why I had initially chosen South Korea was because I am someone who has been affected by the Hallyu phenomenon. This includes K-dramas or K-pop and is the reason why so many people admire the South Korean culture today. For me personally, it has been four years since I started watching Korean dramas – they are unique and exotic and bring out every human emotion possible from within you. I watch it so much that I have learnt the entire language just by watching the shows, and I am not just talking about basic communication – everyone was genuinely shocked at how I speak “just like the Koreans”. 

For my chosen course as well, I picked Hallyu and Korean Media culture, which is the studies of the effect of the Hallyu phenomenon abroad. My lessons consisted of watching Korean content and discussing how the culture spread. I had some of the most diverse students from around the world with me, and the most intellectually stimulating professor who truly cared about us on a personal level. 

Personally, there was no culture shock for me as I had learnt most things about Korean culture from K-dramas. Yet, there are some things that could shock foreigners such as not being allowed to eat or drink on public transport, or how Korean people know very little English and how you cannot use your card to do shopping in some places, so cash is a necessity. 

My favourite moment from my experience was when I first stepped outside of the airport. I knew that I spoke Korean quite well, but I did not realise I spoke with a Korean accent so the first thing that happened was that I shocked both myself and my taxi driver, Sung Min-Su who told me that I speak Korean very well. Some of the highlights from my trip included travelling to Busan, the Waterbomb festival, seeing Park Seo Joon and Kim Jennie randomly at Seongsu, visiting K-drama locations in Suwon, visiting North Korea and making some of the strongest friendships with Korean friends. I would do nothing to change what I experienced, and the only thing I could wish for is to live the whole experience again. Before visiting Korea, I was very confused about life and knew very little about what the future held for me; I was mostly just following what was expected of me. However, now that I have returned, I know exactly what I want from life and I fully believe I can get where I want to be. My time in Korea has made me appreciate some things in my life more and made me acknowledge what is actually important for me.

Additionally, I really want to thank the GO Summer! team because none of this would have happened if not for that one email that changed my life. Even before reaching Korea, with just the application process, I was already becoming independent with applying and managing deadlines or booking accommodation and flights for the first time in my life. I went from a naïve 19-year-old to a mature 20-year-old who now holds accountability for what I want from life. Financially, GO Summer! helped me a lot, as a person who comes from a low-income background. However, even on a personal level, I received help with the applications. I want to use this opportunity for a shout-out to Colleen who was always there to help with absolutely anything. I am so grateful that my university is a partner university with Seoul National because these are the two universities that came together and designed a programme that changed my life forever.