Mobility specification

Country:South Korea

Institution:Sungkyunkwan University

City:Seoul

Program:Partner universities

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Arts

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?Korean credits have a different value than the ECTS credit system used by Masaryk University. For example, I received 6 credits for a Korean language course at SKKU, but Masaryk University recognized them as 10 credits (3 Korean credits = 5 ECTS).

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?Classes at SKKU are less interactive than those at MU. They often take the form of a lecture without questions and discussion, and even when the professor provides this opportunity, home students often do not find the courage to speak up. Examinations are not only in the form of a final exam, but usually include a mid-semester exam, accompanied by a project, presentation, or an essay. Thus, a grade does not depend on a single exam but consists of several forms of testing. SKKU also offered opportunities during the semester to attend lectures by visiting professors from foreign universities, which enriched the curriculum.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?In addition to an introductory welcome programme, where foreign students were introduced to the dance groups operating at SKKU and were provided with basic information on teaching, organisation and necessary documentation related to the foreign stay, SKKU also organised several social activities in which foreign students could participate, such as the ESKARA music festival or the "pepero" day. The student association HI-club organised several events specifically designed for international students, but the number of places was mostly very limited, so the places filled up very quickly. The KITE club is a great way to make friends, as its members are both domestic and international students who have a desire to practice English and Korean while having fun and getting to know each other.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:23090 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?South Korea requires NHS insurance for each month after obtaining a resident card. The fee is about 50 euros per month.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Eating at the school canteen is a good way to save money on food; in Seongsu (a district in Seoul) you can visit "pop-up stores" where you can get lots of nice and interesting things and souvenirs for free; coffee is best bought at bigger chains like Mega coffee or Mammoth coffee, it's cheaper; DAISO is one of the safety nets for international students, you can get almost everything from household items to school supplies and cuddly toys for cheap; clothes at surprisingly good prices can be found at Lucky Factory or Mini Brand, for example.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?with gestures

How does public transport work in the city?runs like clockwork

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?For transport directly in Seoul, it is best to download the Naver app, which can provide advice on choosing a bus or metro number, in addition to navigation, and also take you directly to the bus stop. It is essential to secure a T-money card and charge it with a sufficient amount in one of the machines at the metro station or in one of the shops (7-11, E-mart,...). The card should later be attached to the device on the bus when boarding and alighting or to the turnstile at the metro station. The cost of one bus or subway ride is approximately 1,500 won.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?yes

How do you rate the availability of healthcare?perfect

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Royal palaces (Gyeongbokgung - can be seen illuminated during the night tour, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung,...), National Museum of Korea, Namsan tower, Ikseondong, Han River and Banpo Bridge, Seoul forest, Seongsu.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Busan, Gyeongju, Nami, Jeju, Danyang (+ it's a good idea to take the opportunity to go on a trip to nearby countries - Japan, Taiwan or China).

Share your best experience:It's too hard to pick just one! Picnics by the Han River, Korean BBQ and evening karaoke, a hike in Bukhansan National Park, the Eskara Festival, a visit to Yonggungsa and Bulgguksa temples, a visit to the "hidden" garden at Changdeokgung Palace with a guided tour and much more...

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?yes

Where can it be arranged?Embassy of the Republic of Korea (Pelléova 83/15, 160 00 Prague 6)

What is needed?Air ticket to the given place, proof of accommodation, copy of passport and passport itself, photo, completed visa application form (downloadable from the official website of the embassy), acceptance letter from the foreign university, its extract from the commercial register, confirmation of school visit, reference from one of the teachers from the home university (all necessary documents can be found on the official website of the embassy - it is necessary to check it for possible changes).

How long does it take approximately?About a month

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?The airport is located in Incheon, you need to take a bus or metro. You need to buy a T-money card at the airport and charge it (it can only be charged in cash, so you need to change the required amount into won). It's also a good idea to research and compare all the options for buying a SIM card to choose the best option.

Can you pay by card?in most places

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?My six-month stay in South Korea was one of the most beautiful and inspiring periods of my life. Uncovering the secrets of foreign cultures, getting to know ourselves, and forming friendships are the most beautiful opportunities that exchange visits have the opportunity to provide us with, and the experiences that accompanied them I will definitely carry with me forever.