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Having a long history as the leading private institution of higher education in Korea, Yonsei University offers courses in a multitude of disciplines, all taught in English. The University enjoys the reputation as the most internationalized in Korea, having an extensive network of exchange partners from around the world.
Hello! For my last blog entry, I wanted to take this time to reflect and share some photos my friends and I that I met throughout this semester.
Going into South Korea, I didn’t know what to expect. I was the only one in my school studying abroad, going to Korea, so I didn’t know anyone at all. I only knew a little bit of the language and was not sure how I would communicate if I was by myself. Overall, I just didn’t know how it would turn out.
But, I believe that God placed everything and everyone in front of me that He wanted to, and I am grateful for everything I experienced.
It was such a great time, and I believe that everyone should study abroad if they have the opportunity to do so.
Getting to meet many different people from different backgrounds, schools, and cultures really helped me expand my view of the world and make connections that will last a lifetime.
Although my study abroad time in Korea is finished, I will continue to cherish all the people and memories that I have made through my time there.
Last photo I took of famous Yonsei Underwood BuildingBusan Friends photoLast photo with spiritual family groupPhoto of me before football matchPhoto with friends at the Gyeongbokgung PalaceLast group photo with friends at the Underwood building
South Korea, thank you for everything. I will see you along with everyone else soon!!!
In Korea, the concert culture for K-pop is huge. That also means there are concerts almost every week, some of which are also free!
My friends and I were able to catch one that was near where we stayed. It was at SKKU, which is about 40 minutes away from the Yonsei Sinchon campus. I had a class at 9 am and went straight to line up for the event after.
We stayed in line for a couple of hours because we wanted to get tickets for the event. The festival started at 8, and we got there at noon. After getting our tickets, we found out that we didn’t have to get there that early. It was pouring down rain and our legs painful, but we were happy we made it inside.
SKKU Students standing in the rain before the concert
It took about 2 more hours until the actual performers came out, but it was very worth it!
Girl group IVE performing one of their songs
Just like I mentioned for previous concerts, it was crazy to see the performers that close. I would always see videos online and couldn’t believe they were real when I saw them in real life for the first time.
IVE was the first group to perform, and they took about 25 minutes in total. I enjoy their music, so it was good to see them.
The second group to perform was a 2 person band, JANNABI.
JANNABI on stage performing
I only knew one of their songs going into the festival, but my friend is a really big fan of them. They were probably the best performers of the night and their live performance was amazing. I definitely added more songs to my playlist after…
Lastly, the icon himself, PSY…
PSY on stage
Hearing all his hits live was amazing! We all grew up on Gangnam Style, and I felt like I was dreaming hearing it live and seeing him perform it.
A pouring rain picture during the concert.
Overall, it was an amazing time. The rain was pouring, our legs were hurting from standing in line all day, but it was a great experience with friends and to see a concert for free, too!
Just last month, I was blessed to see so many concerts. The dates to see these concerts were so close to each other that I was able to see 2 in a span of 4 days!
The first concert I saw in this span was for a group called Le Sserafim. They are a very popular girl group in Korea and consist of 5 members. The concert took place in the INSPIRE ARENA, about an hour 30 away from where I stay in Korea.
INSPIRE ARENA entrance for Le Sserafim concert
As expected, there were many people, and we got there just in time before the concert started. The concert started at 4 p.m., which is quite an early start, but I found out that they do that on purpose because people either have work or school the next day.
Stage set before the concert
It was a great concert, and I was sitting in the same section as another girl group in Le Sserafim’s label called ILLIT. They made a very popular song called “Magnetic” that caught a lot of attention online. Another notable person there was JIHYO from TWICE. TWICE is my favorite girl group, so it was really cool to see that she was there.
Le Sserafim post-concert goodbyes
About 4 days later, I went to the Coldplay Concert! My main reason of going to this concert was to see TWICE, who I got to see perform live!
TWICE performing one of their hit songs, “FANCY”
It was so cool to actually see them in person for the first time, since all I saw previously were videos online.
There wasn’t much reaction from the fans, because they were just opening acts, but I was very happy that I saw them.
The next part after they finished, was the main event, Coldplay. I didn’t realize how popular they were in Korea until they came out of the tunnel and started to perform their songs.
Chris Martin singing a songCrowd waiting for ColdplayColdplay Post-Concert Firework Celebration
I already liked Coldplay, but after this concert, I enjoyed their songs even more. I would say this is probably one of the best concerts I have been to so far. They are very good live performers and I hope that you would get to see them live one day as well!
Busan, a city in South Korea outside of Seoul, is a large port city known for its beaches, mountains, and temples. I was able to travel there with some of my friends!
Our travel time from Seoul was about 2 hours and 30 miunutes on a train. We made the trip at night and arrived at our Airbnb to settle in for the night.
The first place the group wanted to visit was the Miffy Cafe. I didn’t know much about Miffy, but apparently, she is very popular in Korea and around the world.
Miffy Cafe in Busan
There were a ton of souvenirs and collectibles that were Busan exclusive, as well. I left the cafe with some gifts for my family and an understanding of who Miffy is.
Later that day, we went to the Haeundae Beach.
Walkway in Haeundae Beach
Being born and raised on an island with many beaches, it was nice to see this sight again. The weather this day was great and made it very enjoyable for the experience.
Right next to the beach was the BUSAN X The Sky tower. It is a very nice tourist attraction to where you can see the beach and city of Busan at a high elevation.
City of Busan at the BUSAN X The SkyFriends at the BUSAN X The Sky tower!
It was cool to see how big the city was. They also had locations of other places of the world on the glass to show how far it is from Korea!
As the night started to close in, we went back to the beach and saw the city lights at night!
City of Busan at NightBeReal with friends in Busan
A day later, we went to visit the famous Gamcheon cultural village.
Busan Gamcheon VillageFamily photo in the Gamcheon village
It was nice to see all the houses and how they all fit perfectly into this one space.
Though our trip was only 3 days, I had a very memorable experience and would love to travel there again!
In Korea, concert culture is very popular, especially K-pop concerts. Fortunately, I am studying abroad during concert season! Many groups are on tour at the moment, and I am trying my best to see the ones I can.
My first and very unexpected K-pop concert in Korea was Aespa. They are very big worldwide, and they are currently the top girl group and won the Best Female Group Award at the MAMA Awards in late 2024.
Aespa billboard outside the KSPO Dome in South Korea
My friend told me they were selling tickets the night before, which made it very unexpected for me to attend.
Aespa fans during the concert
The atmosphere of the concert was very visible. Everyone in the stadium showed so much energy, and the cheering did not stop until the concert was over.
Aespa during one of their performances
Their stage presence was also felt around the stadium, and you could tell just how much they cared for their performances. It was a night full of great music and great interactions with fans as well.
Picture with fans at the end of the concert
A few days later, I was able to see another concert! However, this one was quite small in size and a smaller venue as well.
The artist I went to see was Olivia Marsh. She is a South Korean-Australian artists who is currently a rising artist. I started listening to her music at the beginning of this year and I was able to get a ticket to her live performance (which was about 38 USD!)
Seating arrangement at the concert
Another cool thing to note is that she is the sister of Danielle Marsh, who is a member of the former group NewJeans.
The concert had a small crowd but a very good vibe around it. It made it easier to interact with her fans and to be in a chill environment.
A small intermission between the concert
I am having a great time enjoying different artists that I don’t usually get to see in the states and I can’t wait to see more!
Every year, Yonsei and Korea University hold a cheering event that brings both schools together, despite the rivalry. This year, it was held at Korea University, which is located in the Seongbuk district of Seoul.
For Yonsei students, it was about an hour and 30-minute commute to the Korea University campus. I went with my own group, but ended up following the hundreds of other Yonsei students making the commute.
We arrived a few minutes late. Before entering the field, you can hear the loud cheering from both schools.
Yonsei and Korea University taking their place at cheering event
The whole night was filled with lots of music (mostly both schools cheering songs for sporting events). This event is supposed to help you meet new people and learn the cheering songs for sporting events later on in the school year!
Korea Univ. students at the cheering eventYonKo cheering event stageYonsei and Korea University students joining together
The entire event lasted about 2 hours with non-stop cheering and head banging to the cheers. It felt like a huge workout after the event ended, but I had a great time! Now, I’ll be able to join in the cheers for the next sporting event that Yonsei and Korea University hold!
Friends I made and went to the cheering event with
Seeing videos online of this event really does not compare to seeing it live in real life. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to engage in activities like this and I can’t wait to make more memories!
It has only been three weeks since I arrived in South Korea. During this time, I have already met many great people and done many exciting things.
I made it to South Korea on the 21st of February, through a series of 2 flights, which was a total of about 13 hours. As I passed through security and customs at the airport, I was greeted by NewJeans as I was picking up my luggage.
NewJeans Welcome Board at the Incheon Airport
I was very excited to see a K-pop group that I know and although I was very tired, it gave me the energy to grab a SIM card, find a taxi, and check-in to my hotel for the night.
The next morning, I was able to play a friendly football match with other international players. The place wasn’t far from my hotel and I needed to take the subway to get there. It was my first time using any sort of subway transportation, but I ended up working it out and reached my destination.
The subway station is used to get around SeoulSinbanpo, a neighborhood within the district of SeoulExercise facility near Sinbanpo where I played my football match
A few days after, I was able to check into my dorm at the school. I used the bus to get close to my dorm and it was a very short, yet tiring, walk to the place with my heavy luggage. I met a friend in the lobby and we headed off to grab lunch.
Hot pot meal near the Yonsei Campus
As the days went by (with no class schedule) I decided to explore the campus by myself and see where I would be having classes regularly. As I walked the huge campus, I quickly noticed the beautiful scenery and the popular sites as seen on K-dramas, music videos, etc.
A walk through the forest to get to the Sinchon CampusThe most historic site on the Sinchon Campus, the Underwood HallYonsei Business students taking their picture for graduation
A cool thing to note was that I was walking through the campus, students had a ceremony for their graduation.
A few days passed again and I wanted to explore a bit of Seoul. I decided to take an hour subway trip to make it to the famous Starfield Library (which you may have seen videos online).
Famous Starfield Library site
Not too far from the library, they had a full building dedicated to all things K-pop. The building had a training center, shop, cafe, etc.
K-pop photocard wall at the CO-EX mall
Again, a few days passed, and before I knew it, it was orientation day. It was a 2-hour long session filled with dance performances to start and informational sessions. It was very helpful to understand how to live in Seoul.
Photo with the Yonsei mascots before orientation
After orientation, we were taken on a tour to see some sites of Seoul. I was able to visit the Namsangol Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower in one day!
Site in the Namsangol Hanok Village that has a short view of the N Seoul TowerView of the N Seoul Tower before enteringMe at the N Seoul Tower
All caught up to now, I have already had my first week of classes. It was great to see that some people I have previously met are in the classes I am taking. I also enjoy going out for dinner and enjoying the wonderful food Korea has to offer.
Korean BBQ meal near campus
There has been so much great food and so many great people – I am exited to see what the semester has to offer!
Hello everyone! My name is Riley Rama and I will be studying at Yonsei University in South Korea this Spring! I am from Guam and I came to Linfield to play soccer.
It has been a long wait since I applied to study abroad, and I am very excited. My love for the country first started when I visited the Incheon airport for a layover. The small experience I had there inspired me to learn the language and come back to study abroad.
I am excited to be sharing my experiences and I hope that I can make many great connections while I am there!
May in Korea has been beautiful if not a bit challenging. Things got hotter earlier than they usually do and the temperatures in May are now 70-80 degrees (Freiheit). With this weather comes monsoon season as hot weather is mixed with rain. I have to say this heat is making things hard as I realize I am not built for this. Walking in the heat to my classes was something I did not think of. Luckily if I want to go somewhere else the buses and subway are kept cool.
Walking by Underwood Hall In All Its Glory.Please Let Me In!
Walking by the many school fountains was so tempting in this heat. However, everyone around me seemed to not let the weather change how they dress. I walk the only one that seemed to be struggling with the heat.
I decided to try and enjoy some of this sunshine while I was out in nature. I walked through this beautiful nature area that Yonsei had on campus.
So Much Green EverywhereBeautiful Pond
After walking back from Korean class I went to the ATM and then to a convenience store. One of the many convenient things about South Korea is that you can pay for your national health insurance by visiting the convenience store with cash and your bill. I was freaking out about it more than it was worth as it went smoothly.
In the evening I went and met up with a new friend in Gangseo-gu. I took the bus by myself for 30 minutes (each way).
Busy Area! One of Many Food Alleys in Seoul
This area is not as traveled by foreigners as places like Sinchon or Hongdae. I had a great time and we laughed a lot. She showed me one of her favorite restaurants and we enjoyed some ramen.
Peaceful Bus Ride.
As I traveled home ( On what I hoped was the right bus) I enjoyed staring out the window. We passed over the Han River and it was a beautiful sight.
Walking home at night in Korea can be comforting because it is always full of lights and people going places.
Motorcycles Are EverywhereOff the BusFried Korean Treats.
I had such a good time exploring and enjoying seeing others out and having fun as well.
However, at 7 AM, I was woken up by my phone with a very loud emergency alarm. I had to translate what the warnings were saying and it said I might need to be ready to evacuate. In the past, I had gotten a small one of these for an earthquake that turned out to just be a test. I was hoping this was the same. I reached out to my American friend that lives here and she said that North Korea had launched something. She did a good job calming me down but I was defiantly rattled until they sent out the alert that everything was okay.
The word Wartime scared me so much.
Living here takes a lot of courage. I was only focused on everything positive about Korea and I over-looked this important issue.
I hope I can continue to look towards the bright side though and enjoy this warm weather with new friends.
Since the Japanese colonial period when coffee was introduced to Korea, it has become an important part of the culture. The culture is known for its fast-paced nature and thus many people find it hard to keep up. Coffee swoops in to save the day and there is a cafe every 2 buildings. Which was how I found myself at a cafe called A Twosome at 9 pm. Whoever let cafes be open until 11 was either a madman or a genius. I went to meet up with my friend to work on our final project proposal for our class “Understanding K-pop”.
The Duality of Literature. (I Only Know Winnie The Pooh)
When the weekend arrived I went to go get my nails done in Hongdae at a shop I found online that was supposed to be friendly to foreigners. The woman was very nice and my nails were very cute.
I Love Pink!
Afterward, I went to a Korean bbq place in Hongdae that specialized in eating alone. It was my introvert heaven. I ordered through a touchpad and no awkward sitting at a table alone.
So Easy!All Of This for $16! ( Plus A Drink)
It was a very relaxing day for me and as I walked back to the subway station the streets of Hongdae were filled with people enjoying an evening weekend stroll.
The next day I saw this big blow-up balloon!
Snoopy!
When I went to the mall I discovered there was a pop-up store! (Pop-up stores seem more common in South Korea).
So Cute!
I bought two cute bags for myself and an AirPods case for my boyfriend.
South Korea is defiantly a fast-paced culture but when you get to stop and look around it feels freeing.
