Here comes spring once again. After successfully combating the pandemic, countries around the world have loosened their border restrictions, so, today, we will introduce you to Chungnam National University’s study abroad programs.
Chungnam National University (CNU) offers two study abroad programs: the Exchange Student Program and the Study Abroad Program. The Exchange Student Program offers students an opportunity to study for one semester or year at a partner university, based on a mutually signed agreement. Tuition fees paid to the home university cover the expenses of this program, and credits earned are transferred to CNU upon return. Interested students should check for relevant announcements on CNU's homepage and apply to The Office of International Relations. In contrast, the Study Abroad Program provides scholarships for students to study at foreign partner universities for a specified period, such as one semester or a shorter term. Both programs offer overseas safety education orientation, and credit recognition and transfer is obtained through the affiliated department offices upon completion. Students must possess a passport and visa and are responsible for arranging travel. Both programs aim to cultivate global talent and provide opportunities for students to learn about different cultures. More information is available on CNU's website.
We interviewed some international students here in Korea and Germany. The first interview was conducted by Hyejun, who takes English courses with international students: “I had the opportunity to interview five exchange students at CNU, representing their respective countries. By interviewing these students and doing a survey, I could gain valuable insights about CNU and Korea from diverse perspectives.”
Here are the five great students who helped with this article: Derek Andrew DeSeau, an American student who arrived in August 2022; Erin Lee, a Taiwanese student who arrived in August 2022; a German student (wishing to remain anonymous) who arrived in September 2022; Armand Perotin, a French student who arrived in March 2023; and De Leener Anthony, who identified himself as French but is from Belgium, who arrived in August 2022.
What were your expectations before coming to Korea and have they been met so far?
Derek: I had no preconceptions about studying in Korea other than academic life being much more competitive.
Erin: I expected that I would enjoy living here and meet new friends, and, so far, that has been the case! I have gotten to know people from different countries and had many unforgettable experiences with each of them.
Anonymous Student: I expected to meet more Korean friends, but it is hard to make friends with Koreans.
Armand: Life here is better than I expected. The people are great, and my school is enjoyable.
Anthony: These new life experiences have exceeded my expectations.
What aspects of Korean culture have you found to be the most different from your own?
Derek: Korea does not practice tipping, unlike in the U.S. This is different in a good way.
Erin: There is no huge difference between Taiwan and South Korea regarding culture, but I think we have different habits in life. For example, one thing that impresses me is the coffee culture here. I am quite surprised by how much coffee Koreans drink every day, and the density of cafés here is really high! In Taiwan, the shops most frequently found are convenience stores, so many people go there for coffee instead of cafés.
Anonymous Student: Friendship between females and males is normal in my country, but here it is hard to be just friends.
Armand: The respect and the kindness.
Anthony: Appearance before honesty in human relationships. People are so busy, not having enough time for sincere human relationships.
How has your relationship with your Korean peers and classmates been during your stay?
Derek: My relationships with my peers and classmates have been adequate. Some things are excellent, others are poor, but, overall, I am satisfied.
Erin: It is pretty good, and they are all nice and kind! After class, I sometimes hang out with my Korean friends, so I have more opportunities to practice Korean. I feel grateful when my friends help me out with my language learning.
Anonymous Student: Most Koreans in my classes stay with other Koreans and talk to them, so I do not really have relationships with them.
Armand: Perfect. We hang out a lot, and they are awesome.
Anthony: Chaotic and deep, but, overall, I am happy about all of the people I have met. I have made some good friends.
What advice would you give to future exchange students considering a program at Chungnam National University?
Derek: It is extremely helpful to know basic Korean at the very minimum while also being able to understand different accents for English-taught courses.
Erin: It will definitely be helpful if international students know some basic Korean language before coming to CNU! Not only can this help them to have a better experience here, but it can also make it easier to make Korean friends.
Armand: Beware of soju.
Anthony: Be ready for many administrative struggles.
Fun fact:
The following courses are the classes that exchange students like the most:
International Operations Management; Journey to Korean Music; Financial Management; Human-Computer Interaction.
The comments below were made by exchange students studying at a university in Germany, Erfurt Universität. They were interviewed by CNU reporter Kim Hyunjung, currently in Germany as a Korean exchange student, who said, “During my exchange student program, I have come to regret that CNU does not promote this exchange program more effectively. Despite the program's significant benefits, I believe that insufficient promotion makes it difficult for many students to embark on it. This lack of awareness may be the only area for improvement as I truly believe that more students should have the opportunity to participate in this enriching program.”
“I think it is a great opportunity for me to be in Germany as an exchange student. Germany’s education system is very nice. I feel like the school is well prepared for exchange students since there was a program that helped us to learn about the university, city, international projects, and meet other people. And I feel glad to have an amazing community of students around me. There are many communities for us to join. For example, there was an international café night that was awesome because we could meet various people from various countries. We talked, shared our cultures, and became friends. In this way, we always help and encourage each other. It is absolutely wonderful.” Simona Flašková (from Slovenská Republika)
“Because Germany is a developed country, everything is really in order. Everyone generally follows the rules even though there is nobody checking tickets on the tram or in other public places. That is why I think it is a good opportunity to experience this environment. Also, studying in a totally different school and country gives me much confidence and courage. It is a very good opportunity to improve my English as I must use it all of the time. Of course, there is a con. Some people are prejudiced against foreigners, but it is not a very big problem for me as I simply ignore it. Adjusting to a totally different environment can also be challenging. But, all in all, it has been a great experience, helping me develop and become more mature.” Yusra (from Türkiye Cumhuriyeti)
We would like to express our gratitude to the students who dedicated their time to being interviewed. Your commitment and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated.
There are pros and cons of being an exchange student in a new country. However, it is undeniable that new experiences can provide exceptional opportunities for those who seek to broaden their horizons by studying in different cultures and countries. Exchange programs offer a wide range of academic and cultural experiences, and these help students develop valuable skills and knowledge that will serve them well in their future endeavors.
From these interviews, we can see that studying abroad may be an essential part of one’s journey in life. It helps students to develop a global perspective and prepares them to face the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.
To the students hesitant about having new experiences, take your first step toward an unforgettable academic adventure!