"I applied for the exchange program because I wanted to live in a new environment. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) is strong in the field of cybersecurity, and it was amazing to be able to attend lectures by world-renowned professors and ask them questions directly. Just like KU's CyKor, VU also has an on-campus hacking team called vubar, and I participated in competitions as a member. Exchange students live on a dormitory campus. It's a huge advantage that the school organizes the dormitory contract. You can make various dishes, and there's a Korean mart just a 10-minute bike ride from the dormitory. Isn't that great? The on-campus gym offers various sports lessons, and I'm doing fencing, which I had also done in Korea.

Whenever I have time, I go to Amsterdam Central. The buildings along the canals are beautiful. The area in front of the Van Gogh Museum is a popular picnic spot. The Netherlands is located in the heart of Europe, so you can easily visit many countries. Recently, I went to Kiruna in Sweden for aurora spotting. However, if you travel too much, you have less time for school life or friends, and the excitement of traveling diminishes. Now, I've decided to take trips that I want to do, not trips suggested by others.

When you study abroad, I recommend setting a goal. Even if it changes, remembering what you wanted when you came will give you strength when you're exhausted."

(From left) Dormitory view, in Kiruna, Sweden, where they went aurora spotting

"I chose Canada and McGill University because I could learn English and French in a safe environment while continuing my hobby of ice hockey.

Montreal has an average winter temperature of -10 to -15 degrees Celsius, which is very cold, but I love winter sports so it was the perfect city. I participated in intramural ice hockey games and took figure skating lessons. However, friends who are not interested in winter sports may not enjoy it like I do, so it's a good idea to choose an area that suits your climate preferences. Also, I had a great experience teaching Korean to students from around the world in a foreign language program. I realized that there are so many friends interested in aspects of Korean culture such as dramas.

Eating out was quite expensive there, so I mostly cooked for myself. I think I made more food in 4 months than I did in 20 years in Korea. Instead, I traveled often, and the memories of the panorama of stars and auroras in the -40-degree cold of Yellowknife in northwestern Canada, skiing in the Rocky Mountains of Banff, and the great outdoors while skating on a frozen lake were truly dreamlike.

For me, someone who loves meeting people, every day here was new and enjoyable. If you think about what you want to gain through the exchange program and choose a school that suits that, I believe you'll have the best experience possible."

(From left) Throwing snow with a friend on a snowy mountain, under the aurora-lit sky

"I heard stories from seniors who had been exchange students and came here in my last semester of my senior year. The University of Navarra has a very large campus and is considered one of the best universities in Spain. The management system for exchange students is also excellent, and the coordinator took care of housing issues even before admission. There are many events where exchange students and local students can meet, and ‘buddies’ help with adaptation one-on-one. Classes are conducted in English, and I'm taking additional Spanish conversation classes.

Eating out is expensive, so I mainly cook at home. Korean students bought a mini rice cooker together and make Korean dishes like gimbap, japchae, and tteok-galbi. Dairy products, meat, and olive oil are cheap and delicious, so I eat them often. During the Easter Spring break, I went on a trip with a backpack, visiting Morocco and 5 cities in southern Spain. So far, I've been to France, the UK, Iceland, and more, and I plan to travel to Tunisia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and the Czech Republic before returning home. Spanish people are really passionate and friendly. I've made many friends from various countries. My Dutch friend Gamze invited me to his home in the Netherlands after the semester ended. I made precious friends like Anel from Ghana, who traveled to Morocco with me, and Anna from France, who is interested in K-pop, and even though we speak different languages, we understand each other through gestures and eye contact, and laugh together.

Are you worried that it might be too late to go on an exchange program? Half of my friends here are the same age as me, even though I came in my last semester. If you want to go, it's not too late now, so prepare quickly. You won't regret it."

(From left) Lecture hall where classes were held, soccer match watched locally

“Even though I had become a senior, I felt like I was still reliant on the boundaries of school and family, so I applied hoping it would be my first step towards independence. I made the decision with the desire to design my own career path through undergoing various experiences.

Our school is located in Bilbao, Spain, and is the oldest private school in Spain. Although it’s small in size, it’s a fantastic school where you can see the Guggenheim Museum from the classroom. In many cases, classes are centered on students’ discussions and Q&A sessions. It was burdensome to feel all the eyes on me when I first expressed my opinion, but once I realized that such focus was based on interest and respect, I became more comfortable doing this. Through the buddy program, with local friends I’ve met and exchange students from other countries, I participate in various activities every month such as beach trips and pintxo tours. My buddy is coming to KU as an exchange student next spring semester, so we’re also making plans to spend time together in Seoul.

Eating out is expensive, so I mainly cook at home to reduce food expenses and invest in travel. In 3 months, I’ve been to London, Bordeaux, Valencia, Lisbon, and more, and I’m planning trips during the break as well. However, I’m cherishing my daily life in Bilbao more due to the regret of having to return to Korea soon.

Being an exchange student is also a time to newly realize how precious family, friends, and everyday opportunities are while living abroad. If you’re thinking about it, I hope you challenge yourself without hesitation.”

(From left) With local friends, at the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain

“The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is located on the coast, a bit away from LA. It’s warm all year round, and there’s a beach on campus, so I enjoy surfing when I have time. UCSB is also famous for its excellent science and engineering programs. I’m studying as an undergraduate researcher. In the lab, seniors and professors just call each other by each other’s names, which was very unfamiliar to me at first. But as we address each other in a familiar way, I have gained confidence in expressing my opinions.

A while ago, I went on a car trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon area, and I realized how vast the United States is. For accommodation, I am among 6 other people living in a dormitory apartment. At first, this was unfamiliar and new, but we quickly became close by having parties and working out together. If I had to point out a characteristic of my local friends, it’s that they all really love sports. The facilities are well-equipped, but I also got the feeling that exercise itself is a part of life. Following my friends, I’m also spending a lot of active time swimming, playing tennis, baseball, and more.

Living as an exchange student seems like an opportunity to take a break in life. We’ve been leading a hectic life, right? If you interact with people from different countries and backgrounds, seek new opportunities, and look at yourself from an objective perspective, I’m confident you’ll gain a much wider point of view.”

(From left) Lecture hall where classes are held, campus view from the rooftop