South Korea – Trang
Student: Trang
Course: Bachelor of Commerce
Program: Short-term exchange T3 2024
International student grant recipient
Trang is an international student from Vietnam.
How did you spend your weekends?
At Hanyang University, you'll never have to worry about not knowing what to do on the weekends. One of the highlights of the experience is a 2-day, 1-night trip to a ski resort, where we get to enjoy beginner-friendly skiing lessons and walk on actual snow! While Korea’s winter is quite cold, the ski resort and Hanyang University team ensured we stayed warm by providing essentials like hand warmers, so the cold was never too much of an issue.
Even if you choose not to go on the ski trip, you still have the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Seoul on your own. I vividly remember visiting the Seoul Night Market at Lotte World during Christmas and exploring numerous historical sites – especially the museums, which always feature different events and special exhibitions.
How did you make friends and what sort of things did you do together?
Making friends isn't always easy, especially when traveling alone. However, Hanyang University made it much easier by organizing an ice-breaking event on the first day of orientation. We were placed into groups and participated in a "Get-to-Know-Each-Other Bingo" activity, which helped us start conversations and connect. I met most of the people I hung out with during that event.
If you have specific places you want to visit in Korea (like I did), you can also reach out in the dorm group chat, where most people are active, to find others who share your interests. Additionally, living in a dormitory means participating in dorm activities and getting to know your roommate.
The host university also organizes numerous events and tours, with many students participating. This makes meeting new people and exchanging cultural perspectives much easier. I still remember chatting with my new Singaporean and Korean friends inside a jjimjilbang (Korean hot spa) about how different Australia’s December weather is compared to the rest of the world.
How did you decide which study abroad opportunity to do?
I have always wanted to experience studying abroad during my higher education years. Choosing South Korea was not only because it was a more affordable opportunity for me but also because it has always been one of my favorite places to visit. The country offers a rich cultural landscape, with both traditional and modern elements, and at times, a seamless blend of both.
As someone with a deep appreciation for the arts, I have always admired South Korea’s design choices and artistic trends. From its architectural styles to the vibrant street art, creativity shines through in ways that are hard to find elsewhere.
I also preferred a short-term program over a long-term one, as it provided the perfect opportunity to experience a new culture without the added pressure of fully adapting to a new way of life. It allowed me to immerse myself just enough to enjoy the experience – without the worries of long-term commitments or the challenge of finding a true sense of belonging.
What motivated you to travel further as an international student?
As an international student, it's always best to seize every opportunity that comes your way because being here is not always easy. Experiencing new things means that when everything is said and done, you won't have to worry about regretting the things you didn't do.
Because of this, whenever an opportunity to explore another culture presents itself, I am immediately drawn to it. Traveling is not just about leisure or mental relaxation – it is an educational experience that broadens your perspective, opens your mind to new possibilities, and serves as a reminder that the world is much bigger than we often realize.
For international students, who are always aware of our limited time abroad, I believe that traveling further is a valuable opportunity in itself – and that alone is enough motivation for me to embrace it.