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This girl is going to South Korea in
August! Absolutely unbelievable! If I was asked couple years ago, where I would
like to go for an exchange year, the answer would probably have been Austria,
Germany or some other German speaking area. (After all I learned German on an
advanced level in school and upper secondary school.)
Even though I a math major student in the
University of Helsinki Korean language is very dear to me and I want
to learn to speak it fluently. My minor subject has been Asian studies and my
intention is to apply for the Master degree Program in the East Asian studies.
When I decided on Asian studies as my minor I had to choose a “major” language
to study. The choice was not easy as I originally wished to be able to study
Japanese. However, I came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t have chances as a
minor student since Japanese is really popular among the Asian studies major
students. Thus, I ended up choosing Korean and I haven’t regretted it even once
to this day. The Korean culture has been part of my life for several years thanks
to hobbies such as taekwondo, movies, TV series and cartoons (manhwa). Ever
since I was little I have been interested in foreign languages and cultures so
the Asian Studies seem much more fitting subject to study. However, the aim of
this study isn’t to focus on my studies: the focus is on my life as an exchange
student in Seoul, South Korea. :)
The journey to this next challenge wasn’t
easy. The process is still ongoing and it will last till the end of the
exchange period. Everything started last autumn the application period to exchange
programs in Asian universities cooperating with the University of Helsinki
started. The results came around December. In my case I didn’t get into Yonsei
University I had originally applied into but instead I was offered a place in
Korea University (KU). I accepted the offer. The actual application period to
the host universities started in spring. In the case of KU the application
period started in March 21st and continued to May 14th.
The results were announced on June 9th so approximately after three
weeks from the end of application period.
The international Services of the
University of Helsinki organized an orientation meeting for the leaving
students. In the meeting we were told about things that need to be done before
leaving the country, during the exchange period and after returning. We were
also informed regarding the things one should be prepared for during the
exchange period.
There is still a lot to do. I must apply
for the Visa, buy travelling insurance; inform Kela (the Social Insurance
Institution of Finland) about my exchange studies and submit a notification of a
temporary change of address to abroad. In addition to this I need to make sure
I receive suggested vaccinations and search for an apartment.
The aim of this blog is mainly to let my
friends and relatives to know how I am doing but it is also share information
for those interested in Korea. Because some of my friends do not speak Finnish
I have decided to write my posts also in English. For this reason this blog
will include both Finnish and English posts. (I’ll try to keep the contents of
the English posts as close to Finnish ones as possible.)
Here the adventure starts! Next time the
intention is to write about the preparations regarding the departure.
Till next time!
xxx
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