Edward Lim

Curtin University of Technology, Australia
Exchange to Yonsei University, South Korea

On the 20th of February 2007, Flight SQ602 finally touched down at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. After many months of research and planning, filling out the countless number of forms, months of wages saved up from the part-time job, the painful vaccination jabs and not to mention the oodles of joy from counting all that scholarship money, I was ECSTATIC that I had finally set foot in Seoul that winter morning. Undoubtedly, one of the most exciting, most memorable and greatest semesters of my undergraduate course had just begun.

My name is Edward Lim and I studied abroad for a semester at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. I am studying a double degree in International Business and East Asian studies so the study abroad experience was integral for my degrees as it allowed me to gain as much international experience as possible, as well as submersing myself into the cultures of the east.

Studying at Yonsei University gave me the opportunity to take classes that specialised in specific aspects of Korea that are not available at my home university. For example, I took classes in Korean Political Economy and Business. And it was in this class that I was presented with another great once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was invited by my professor, who also happened to be the Director of the President Kim Dae-Jung Institute, to be part of the delegation attending a tour and conference in the secretive state of North Korea. This special tour was to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the signing of the June 15th North-South Joint Declaration. I, of course, jumped at this amazing opportunity to be part of the delegation even though it meant that I could not sit the exam for another class due to the schedule clash.

Most importantly, much of the learning experiences took place outside the walls of the lecture theatres and classrooms. After all, you can only learn so much about another country and its culture from books, journal articles and documentaries. Seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting and experiencing it for oneself is the best learning experience. While I was in South Korea, I got to see the riot police prepare themselves as the anti-Korea-US Free Trade Agreement protestors marched towards them. I got to hear the US Ambassador talk about the delicate and volatile issues surrounding North Korea. I got to feel snow for the first time! I got to smell the fresh and misty air on top of South Korea’s highest peak. I got to taste the hundreds of different variations of kimchi.

After finishing an awesome semester at Yonsei University, I embarked on another journey and exciting adventure. I backpacked and travelled all around South Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Macau and Hong Kong for more than two and a half months. All of these experiences have left my bank account a little poorer, but I am a lot richer in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, as well as gaining a wealth of new and enduring friendships formed along the way.

© Copyright 2018 CK Group. All rights reserved.