Korean Job Discussion Forums

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Hi, all-

I will be going to Korea in the summer to study in an intensive program for three months at Seoul National or Yonsei. I'm leaning toward Seoul National because it looks like they combine speaking, grammar, writing and reading better than at Yonsei, and the dates of their program work better for me.

But, I have heard it said that the location of SNU really sucks. I'm not sure how much I care because I don't care about being in the area heavily populated with university students, and I'm not one to go out clubbing or anything like that. My goal is to learn as much Korean as possible in a short amount of time. Am I right in thinking that there will be fewer English speakers in that part of Seoul, and more motivation to learn Korean?

What about aesthetically? Is SNU in an ugly neighborhood? What is there to do nearby (day trips, hiking, etc.)? How long does it take to get to the central part of Seoul by bus/subway?

Thanks for the help!

taobenli

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

I live in that area and I agree with everything the above poster wrote. The SNU campus is kinda halfway on a mountain range, so you can look at some pretty (although smog-enshrouded) mountains and go hiking there. And there is a old-fashioned Korean market in Nakseongdae, similar to Namdaemun but much smaller. Other than that, the area is unremarkable and ugly, but only as ugly as the rest of Seoul is ugly. I mean, doesn't everywhere in Seoul kinda look like everywhere else? If you were lost and there were no signs what could you say? "Uh, I'm near a noraebang and an LG gas station. There's a Kim Bab restaurant next to a Buy-the-Way. And an Outback Steakhouse." There are exceptions to this rule, most of which are listed in the tour books. The area around SNU is just not one those exceptions. I would definitely say that Sinchon (Yonsei's area) is more in the 'heart' of Seoul and closer to those interesting places. Just walking around that area is so much more exciting than SNU's area. But with the subway, nothing in the real Seoul metropolitan area is more than an hour away from anything else. SNU is about 35 minutes from Yonsei by subway. I can say that the campus is nice and the facilities are good at SNU. Don't know about Yonsei.

matthewwoodford · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Location, location, location.

Yonsei, Ewha, and Sogang universities all centre around Sinchon and Hongdae is right next door so that is one big party area. If you want to have a good time partying in Seoul, that's where you want to be.

SNU is the top university though. Ideally, you'll be able to crash at a friend's place in Sinchon or Hongdae on nights out, but study at SNU the rest of the time.

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Thanks for all the comments. And thank you for your PM, peppergirl!

taobenli

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I lived near SNU for a year. I lived in Sillim-dong. Most SNU students would drink there.. I did too once in a great while.

But you can easily get to HongDae or Itaewon on weekends.. and from either one.. maybe a little less than 10,000 won taxi fair home at the end of the night.

At least you are on the green #2 line.. so easy to place. You could be in much worse places in Seoul.

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Mashimaro-

Which university do you think is best for learning Korean, then? You were an advocate of Sogang, weren't you?

I'm really interested in Sogang but since I am planning on going on in academia I was worried that they would focus on speaking to the detriment of other areas. I have heard from some that Yonsei is ONLY dry grammar, and also filled with just-out-of-high-school kyopos (nothing against kyopos, just that I think we have different goals in language class...also I am an old and crabby grad student).

What do you recommend, Mashimaro?

thank,

taobenli

law · Joined: 14 Sep 2004

gochubandit · Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:29 pm Post subject:

GO TO YONSEI.

i went for the international study abroad program in '02. lived in the dorms. with about 500+ other students both from the US and international. best time of my life.

Css · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: South of the river

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Yeah, Sogang looks really great. I am still making up my mind. The thing is, SNU works better for my schedule- I can head over there right when spring quarter is done here, the program goes till August 15th, and then I have till late September to explore Korea and get ideas for fieldwork, as well as visit friends in Japan. Sogang on the other hand, starts later and doesn't end till Sept. 10th. And I'd prefer to do the exploring AFTER I study language intensively, so I can get more out it.

I'm also thinking that since I will be going on in the field of Korea Studies, people on Korean fellowship boards, etc. will see SNU as being more prestigious, more serious, etc.

My Korean-American friends here are all very confused about why I don't want to go to Yonsei. I have already done my undergrad study abroad term, and don't need a repeat (partying, etc.). Plus, I can hang out with plenty of Korean-Americans here, I don't need to go to Korea and pay money to do it!