Seoul: South Korea Architecture Study Tour

My experiences of Seoul, Korea, were unique experiences that will remain with me for the rest of my life. The program was able to expose me to a new culture which translated into many learning achievements.

One of the highlights of the experience included visiting the Deoksugung and Gyeongbokgung Palaces. The architecture and cultural atmosphere within the sites created a unique opportunity to immerse yourself, taking time to explore the smaller areas as well as the iconic moments. Further, walking through the city itself unravelled numerous ideologies of urban planning. Exploring the fabric of the city to showcase the different approaches to living and designing. Particularly when viewing from the iconic Lottle World tower, the evidence of this planning is on display. Additionally, the experience of moving away from the city for a day and heading towards the landscape and architectural exhibition at Sayuwon showcased the explicit styles of the Korean vernacular. This experience was a refreshing reminder of the duality between the city and the natural landscape which is ever present throughout time. It is important to understand the landscapes of the world and how we as people are living within it. Finally, looking at the underground world of Seoul was particularly eye-opening to understand how the city works filled with so many people. This element of an interconnected city has created a great translation between how we can improve the operations of where we live in Sydney, taking ideas from around the world to better improve our own conditions.

The overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable. The experience was made better by having energetic and enthusiastic staff leaders who were well-informed on the areas we visited. Further to that point, getting engaged with the content and the culture of the country was fascinating.

Experiencing the vastly different cultural elements and that feeling of being away from the comfort of home was enjoyable to overcome and learn how other countries within the world operate on a global scale. Overall, having a detailed view through my degree into another country’s operations, linking it all back to my studies was highly beneficial contributing to the enjoyment of the experience.

Aidan Lambrey
Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
Faculty-Led – DAB Global Studio – Architectural Special Project in Seoul, South Korea
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship recipient