Exploring with Confidence #HogsAbroad in South Korea

Hi! My name is Tabitha Novotny, I am an Interdisciplinary Studies Senior with concentrations in Gender Studies, Communications, and Art History. In the beginning of 2021, I participated in the Spring/Summer UofA Exchange Program in Sinchang, South Korea at Soonchunhyang University. This is a short write up about my study abroad experience. 

Since Covid-19 was still a thing the one other student and I who were planning on going to Soonchunhyang had to go through a lot of obstacles in order to make this whole trip happen! We had to write a petition to our school to let us go, apply for visas, purchase our tickets ourselves, fill out papers for the Korean school, buy two international health insurances, and so much more including obtaining PCR tests within 72 hours of our flights. 

After we got to Korea we had to go through a PCR screening and immigration. Once we arrived at the dorms we had to quarantine for two weeks within our room only leaving to go to the restroom and pick up the food placed outside our doors, this was one of the roughest times of the trip, I felt alone, the culture shock was real, and I had felt like I had made a big mistake. Fortunately, after quarantine I was able to make many friends from other countries who also lived in the Global Village! My roommate for example was from Indonesia, while the rest of my suitemates were from China, USA, Columbia, and the Republic of Czech! The downsides; my international advisor wasn’t as helpful as I would have liked, he wasn’t great at communicating important information (we all made it though), the dorms were dirty (literal mold in our showers), we weren’t given the stipend we were initially promised, and we didn’t have any classes with Korean students because their classes were online (ours was in person with the other International students). Class wise, all but one of my classes were easy, I had taken; Calligraphy (taught in Korean), Global Society, Korean Entertainment, Korean Culture & Society, Korean Contemporary Film, Beginner Korean (taught in Korean - this was very difficult). Since we didn’t have classes with any Koreans we were given the option to participate in an online language exchange program with the Korean students of SCH in exchange for free dorm and partial reimbursement of our plane tickets.

Even though it was a rough start I enjoyed the freedom I had living in the dorms away from home, I was closer to classes, I was a 15 minute walk from town, and I had access to my friends constantly! As a bonus we also had access to a room full of fridges and a kitchen with four stove top burners to cook with, so some of my friends and I would get together to fry up some tofu, or make some spaghetti together.

After a few weeks our school informed us that we were allowed to travel to other towns in Korea as long as we filled out a travel form (to track where we are because of Covid.) This was one of the best parts of the trip! Because of the well-formed public transit system my friends and I were able to go to many places in Korea to enjoy the cultural sites, palaces, new foods, and drinks! We went to places such as Seoul (2.5 hours away from Sinchang), Itaewon, Hongdae, Cheonan, the island of Jeju, and more! Even though no festivals were going on we made the most of our trip such as; attending dance classes at OneMillionDanceStudio (a childhood dream of mine), singing at local Norebangs, Feeding bears in Cheonan, petting sheep at a café, wearing tradition Hanbok, and going to amusement parks such as Everland & Lotte World! 

Many Koreans (of a variety of ages) were kind to my friends and I, helping us with our baggage, giving us free gifts, and showing us around the surrounding area, I appreciated this kindness because it helped me explore with confidence! Even though not everyone speaks English you can get along just fine knowing the basic phrases such as hello (annyeonghaseyo), and thank you (gamsahapnida). I would suggest downloading apps such as KakaoTalk (it’s similar to snapchat), KakaoMetro, KakaoTaxi, Papago (language translating), GoogleTranslate.

Some of the best things I ate in Korea were tteokbokki, bimbibap, cold noodle soup, chocolate ice cream rolls, spicy noodles, and mudfish soup! The best drinks were peach soju, strawberry smoothies, and americanos. Personally, I’d love to come back again and explore more of Korea such as Busan, Daegu, and more!

I definitely recommend coming to Korea! Just make sure you learn some basic phrases, get a Tmoney card for the transportation, do your research about cultural dos and don’ts, see if you can stay a little after the semester ends, and have fun! I haven’t added much to my blog since arriving in Korea but I do have information about getting a visa, best plane tickets, and international phone plans already up there, here is a link if interested - https://tabbytravels.blogspot.com/

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Interdisciplinary Studies major Tabitha Novotny spent the Spring 2021 term at Soonchunhyang University in South Korea with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship & the Kitt Rom Memorial Scholarship.

You can start planning your adventure abroad today! Dive in to our Explore page at https://studyabroad.uark.edu/explore/index.php, and start your program search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

A Life Changing Experience #HogsAbroad in South Korea

Suwon

Everyone always says that study abroad is a life changing experience. I feel like I always hear people say the thing they regret not doing the most in college is studying abroad. I have always been independent, interested in other cultures, and like adventure. I figured studying abroad would be a good choice for me.

Initially, studying abroad is kind of scary. I chose the exchange program at Soonchunhyang University in South Korea. I did not know hardly any Korean before coming here, and I had also never been out of the United States or flown on a plane. This was a whole new experience for me. The culture in South Korea is significantly different than in the U.S. I was faced with many unexpected things when I first came here. People here do not say excuse me, and they don’t hold the door open for each other. Sometimes, people will stare at you if you’re obviously not Korean. Not in a bad way. They’re just curious.

South Korea also has a specific culture around age. If someone is older than you, you are supposed to show them respect. You’re always supposed to greet those you know in public, especially if they’re older. There is also reserved seating for the elderly and disabled on public transport. Confucianism has a large role in Korean society.

All this being said, I have some tips that I feel really helped me when I first came here. Tip #1: have some basic understanding of the culture you will be immersing yourself in on your study abroad adventure. It will help significantly when someone does something unexpected. Tip #2: be able to read the basic alphabet in the primary language of the country. It will help prevent you from getting lost (and help you when ordering food). Tip #3: be flexible, because things often do not go according to plan.

Being at the end of my study abroad experience now, I can definitely say it is life changing. It is not overrated or overhyped. All the societal norms seem like a lot to deal with, but it becomes easy to adjust once you have been in the country for a while. I would recommend a longer study abroad experience. I stayed for a semester, but I wish I would’ve stayed for a year. It takes a while to adjust. I thought I wouldn’t get homesick, but I did. Those graphs that they show you in study abroad seminars that show a typical student’s adjustment phases are actually pretty accurate. I feel like I have grown a lot as a person since coming to South Korea, and I know the things I have experienced here will help me to continue to grow in the future.

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Senior International Studies major Meaghan Neely is spending the fall 2018 semester in South Korea with our U of A Exchange: Soonchunhyang University, Asan Chungnam program with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

New #HogsAbroad International Exchange Students Arrive on Campus!

Here are some of our international exchange students getting into the spirit of things at orientation with Big Red, Pork Chop and Soo-ie! We look forward to having them on campus this semester.  Be sure and say hi if you see them on campus and check out how you can go to their Universities on exchange at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/exchange/.

Meet One of Our Fall 2014 Gilman Scholarship Recipients #hogsabroad

What are you doing in the fall and what do you think made you a good Gilman candidate?

I will be studying at Soonchunhyang University, South Korea for the fall semester. When I considered studying abroad, my main goal was, and still is to gain authentic experiences, particularly in an international atmosphere in a country differing extensively from my own. Studying abroad for the first time, I was searching for a non-traditional European program that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Being an audacious person, I knew that traveling somewhere in Europe would be different than my life in the US, yet I wanted an even greater challenge. I was looking for an individualized international experience, hoping to draw a deeper self-connection as a Vietnamese-American in an Asian country. I believe the non-European destination and drive for international awareness exemplified in my essay helped to qualify my application for the Gilman scholarship.

What was the application process like?

The application process was fairly self-explanatory and required submitting multiple documents as well as an essay and a project following my trip. I was not aware that I was eligible for the scholarship until two weeks before the deadline and worked frantically to meet it. With a larger goal in mind, I worked hard on the essay portion as it was the most difficult. The first draft was a complete failure—it consisted of vague, simple sentences that did not represent me as a Vietnamese-American. My study abroad advisor scanned it for less than two minutes before crumpling it up and tossing it onto the floor. Constructive criticism sharpens the mind and its way of thinking. I persistently asked my friends, family, and advisors to make edits and to proofread my essay for flow. I went through at least six drafts before I finally submitted it. It was hard to meet the word count as there was entirely too much information I wanted to mention.

What will your follow-up project be about?

In order to promote the Gilman Scholarship and international education, the goals of my Follow-on Service Project are to motivate young students to pursue their studies from a global standpoint and inspire students interested to take action to attend college. Returning home from South Korea, I will be collaborating with Upward Bound at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and give presentations about my experiences abroad. Upward Bound is a federally funded educational TRIO program that serves the needs of ninth through twelfth grade students who are from underprivileged backgrounds with low income yet have the potential to be first-generation college students. This program prepares students for higher education through academic instruction, mentoring, and powers the developmental skill sets needed to ensure success in college. I am currently in contact with a colleague, Lacey Gebhart, an academic counselor for the Upward Bound program who will help put my Follow-on Service Project into action.

What tips would you give to others considering applying?

I would recommend writing your essay from an individualized perspective. I made it a rule to use “is” and “will” a minimum of three times for the entire essay. There are many words in the dictionary you could easily use to describe your geographical adventure. Write your essay as if you were having an informative yet casual conversation with the review committee.

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About the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program) offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.

U of A Student Becomes 2013 Gilman Scholarship Alumni Ambassador

How the Gilman Scholarship transformed my semester abroad.

A semester abroad should be an adventure.  It should teach you new things about your host country, your own country, international relationships, and even things about yourself. Luckily, this tends to happen no matter what your plans or expectations are. Things will happen that draw you into your new community and open your eyes to more than you could have imagined as you were loafing on your sofa back in the good ol’ US of A. For me, the unexpected connections and unplanned experiences are the best part of international travel.

Last semester, I attended a university in South Korea and the catalyst for my awesome adventures was, surprisingly, my Gilman Scholarship that funded the trip itself! After I received the Gilman award, I was sent an email by an international non-profit called Reach the World. They worked closely with Gilman to recruit students who could report about foreign culture, environment, and society in an enhanced blog format.  They would then use these blogs to teach science, social science, geography, and even math to classrooms in disadvantaged schools of New York public schools. Once the students were paired with specific classrooms, we were able to chat with the students through video conferences and share experiences as we both discovered the host country together! 

Even though my research and articles were intended for 4-5 grade classrooms, I was blown away by the depth and scope of the topics my students were interested in. Each week I would get a new topic to write about and would spend 5 or 6 days researching the topic before I was able to complete the article. Topics included everything from language and cultural differences to waste management! It was a lot of work at first, but then I began to realize that in researching these topics, I was also meeting some pretty incredible people and visiting some extraordinary sites that I never would have sought out on my own. I ended up making contacts with leading news agencies, international politicians, inspiring students, and remarkably diverse immigrants. These experiences changed the entire course of my time in Korea and definitely made it into one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences I have ever had.  

I never would have believed that just by signing up for a single scholarship I would be setting myself for interviews with Ethiopian nightclub owners in Seoul, private tea ceremonies with Buddhist nuns, conversations with the mayor of Glendale, California, and chats with Brooklyn 4^th graders about Kim Jong-Un and nuclear proliferation. The Gilman Scholarship did all this and more. I can’t imagine what my trip would have been without it and the connections it provided for me. It made my semester abroad an adventure abroad.

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About the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program) offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.

Letter to the Editor: When Picking a Study Abroad Destination Never Limit Yourself

By Jimmy Ardis
May 1, 2013
courtesy of The Arkansas Traveler  

As a mentor for the Enhanced Learning Center, I’ve stood in front of countless groups of freshmen here at the UA and given them advice on how to be a successful college student. Often, I ask students if they’d like to study abroad while they’re here, to which almost everyone raises their hand. I take a few moments to hear what parts of the world these students want to explore and hear the same three answers: Spain, France and England. In fact, in a whole year of asking this question, no one has ever said they’d like to go somewhere outside of Western Europe.

I spent a semester in South Korea as part of the Soonchunhyang exchange program, and I’ll be in Mozambique and South Africa this summer with the community development program. I’m even going to London for a week on my way back. One of my life goals is to visit all six inhabited continents by the time I’m 25. I hope to one day empathize with the circumstances of people all over the world.

I could not have gone to a better university to pursue this dream. Arkansas offers fantastic programs in places such as Western Europe. The Theatre in London program can help you explore the rich tradition of drama in the heart of Shakespeare’s stomping grounds every June, and innumerable affordable exchange programs through the College of Business can lead you to countries such as France and Denmark.

Spend time navigating the “Find YourProgram” section of the study abroad website, and I think you’ll be surprised to find not only how many different countries are accessible through study abroad, but also how affordable these experiences are. My tuition at Soonchunhyang University in Korea, for example, cost the exact same as attending Arkansas, and I actually got paid weekly to be an English conversation partner for Korean students. With that extra money I was able to explore Mongolia, a sparsely populated country that served as a great contrast to the bustling streets of Seoul. From South Korea you can also take ferries daily to China, Japan and Russia.

In Asia, our university offers both summer and semester-long programs to Japan and China. Among the most interesting opportunities the university can offer, though, is the summer Tibetans in Exile trip to India where students do their part in an oral history project to collect the stories of Tibetan monks. Students in the past have even had the chance to meet the Dalai Lama through this program. If this is something that interests you, though, be sure to contact the director Sidney Burris early because spots in the program are ultra competitive.

Meanwhile, if you’re hesitant to go to Africa, I dare you to sit down with one of the faculty members in charge of the Ghana, Mozambique or Tanzania summer programs, listen to how passionate they are and then not feel your heart patter a little bit to hop on a plane with them. While these summer trips can be costly, the directors of the Mozambique program did absolutely everything in their power to make sure I could afford going on this trip. Don’t let the price tag deter you until you talk to the amazing team of advisors the Office of Study Abroad offers and hear about the many scholarships that are available.

I’ve heard strong praise for the Community Development project in Belize for years. Trust me, nothing beats feeling like you’re giving something back to the country that graciously welcomes you to visit, and so if South America is an area that interests you, I highly recommend you speak with someone who has been on the Belize trip. While programs the university sponsors are typically more affordable than other programs, if the country you wish to visit is not among those that the university reaches, do a little research, talk to the Office of Study Abroad and work out a plan. I’ve had several friends spend a semester or year in Australia and New Zealand this way, and they are among the most passionate proponents of their study abroad experience.

I’m extremely grateful for the time I spent in South Korea, and I simply can’t wait to set off for Mozambique. As UA students, we have access to experiences that will never be available to us at any other point in our lives. This summer, you owe it to yourself to sit back and explore all the opportunities awaiting you. Leave no region of the world out of your search, because they all are anxious to offer you something useful.

Jimmy Ardis is a fourth year creative writing major who has studied in South Korea and is preparing to studying in Africa this summer. 

Meet One of our Spring 2013 Gilman Scholarship Recipients

What is your major?  Why did you choose this major?

I am a senior transfer student who switched from an English major to International Relations and Asian Studies combined major with English and Chinese minors. I originally picked an English major because I wanted to be an ESL instructor, but I changed to an International Relations major because of my passion for multicultural exchange and diverse learning environments.

Where will you be going abroad, what will you be doing there and how will it impact your academics & life goals?

I will be spending the spring semester in Asan, South Korea at Soonchunhyang University. Soonchunhyang is known for its exchange program that excels in Asian Studies courses. Classes like “Political Thought in Developing  Nations” and “Human Rights in  a Global World” are taught by instructors that have amazing experience in their fields. One of my instructors was the previous Korean ambassador to Pakistan.  These classes and others will give me the opportunity to study a wider range of IR issues with perspectives that are unique to East Asia. As a large part of my studies in Asian culture and politics, understanding language is very important. 

The University of Arkansas has excellent Chinese and Japanese language programs with many courses that also cover political and cultural aspects as well. However, Korean topics are largely absent from our instruction. This is a big reason why the U of A exchange with Soonchunhyang is so valuable. I was encouraged by many peers and faculty here at UA to seek out study abroad opportunities that would be able to provide broader academic growth than what any single domestic university could provide. The academic support structure here at the UofA, like these international university partnerships, is what really motivated me to choose this campus over any other Arkansas university. 

What are some of the more unique/interesting details of your study abroad program?

 The Soonchunhyang exchange program includes a really innovative cultural ambassadorship opportunity for its incoming exchange students.  The ambassadorship allows the students to spend a great amount of time with domestic students by participation in group activities that help everyone develop deeper relationships and learn about each other’s culture first-hand. The experience begins with the housing. Students share a 12 person suite composed of 1 international student and 11 domestic students. Being able to live in this immersive environment helps the international student to learn much more of the Korean language, social customs, etc. Also, this gives the Korean students the chance to study English with a native speaker in a very casual and productive way.

What is most exciting to you about going abroad?  

Getting the opportunity to study Korean language, East Asian politics, and minority issues from within Asia by professional diplomats and international business consultants is a priceless opportunity for sure, but I think I am most excited about the follow-up project I have planned to do right after my term at Soonchunhyang. 

At the end of the semester, I will travel to a remote town in mainland China where I will volunteer at a small and impoverished school for the children left behind by migrant workers. The rapid globalization of China’s economy has displaced workers and created migrations of labor to industrial centers, leaving many small towns with only the aged and the very young left remaining. WCOB Business student Lily Jin began a fundraising program here at the UA for the school last semester, and while I am there I will be able to interview the students and community members to see how the money my fellow students raised for them is affecting their situation. We hope to use these pictures, videos, etc. to raise even greater awareness of the struggle these children are facing and continue fundraising activities upon my return.  This rewarding project not only has features reflecting IR, Asian Studies, Chinese language, minority issues, and teaching across cultures, but also has the potential to create significant change in the lives of a faltering and underprivileged community.

What does earning this scholarship mean to you? 

 Receiving the Gilman scholarship really does mean everything to me. When I transferred to UARK, I had no intention of studying abroad at all because I mistakenly thought that I would never be able to afford it. After finding out about the Gilman scholarship and its generous awards, I finally saw the plausibility of going abroad. With growing student loans, rent, and all the other costs of being a college student, I honestly would not have been able to consider this extraordinary opportunity at all. 

Applying for the Gilman Scholarship was intimidating at first just because I was so worried about the possibility of not doing something correctly and missing this chance. After registering on the website and starting the process though, I really became much more relieved. The process is so streamlined and easy to use that I had no problems at all! There is a great outline of all the required information and documents provided at all times so you can visually follow your progress through the entire application. The hardest part was the statement of purpose essay. I was understandably nervous even to begin the essay because I knew that it would have the greatest bearing on if I actually got the scholarship or not. I started to search the internet for inspiration and advice, and found tons of great resources!  Gilman provides essay prompts, interviews with selection committee members, webcasts on strong essay writing points, and lists of common mistakes to avoid. On top of that, I found priceless assistance on our own campus as well. I took my essay to the Quality Writing Center multiple times for review and editing, I got great writing advice from the study abroad office, and I even found other students who had received the Gilman award in the past who could give me suggestions as well!

Knowing that out of thousands of applicants nationwide, I was chosen for the award is incredible! I really feel even further motivated to perform as well as I can in my abroad program because I will be representing not only my home country, but also the Gilman scholars!  After my return, I am very excited to share awareness of the Gilman program with my peers and encourage everyone to apply for this outstanding award. I really can’t express my gratitude for the generosity of the Gilman program and how it has given me a truly life-changing opportunity.

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About the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program)  offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.