4 Weeks in Korea: More than Just a Language Class

In June 2025, I flew to South Korea for a four-week Global Short Program at Korea University. I joined the Korea University International Summer Campus (KUISC) to study Korean as a complete beginner, immerse myself in a different culture, and take on a new challenge away from home. I had always wanted to visit Korea, but I didn’t expect the experience to be this unforgettable.

I was enrolled in the Korean Beginners course, and from day one, the classes were fun and surprisingly engaging. Our teacher was warm, friendly, and full of energy where she made everyone comfortable, even when we fumbled through our first sentences. We learned how to read Hangul, hold basic conversations, and understand Korean etiquette. What made It even better was that I made some great friends in class, including a few who were also from Australia.

But this program was way more than just the classroom. One of the biggest highlights was the cultural events Korea University organised for us. I got to go to Lotte World, which had this fun, quirky cham (not quite Disneyland but still memorable), and my first-ever baseball game between the LG Twins and Doosan Bears, which was something I never thought I’d enjoy as much as I did. The cheering culture and energy of the crowd were next level.

I was also part of Buddy Group 14, where I made friends from all over the world. We spent evenings going out for Korean BBQ, bingsu, tteok-bokki, and drinks. There was one night we stayed out clubbing until 8 a.m., hitting up different clubs around Hongdae, losing our voices and track of time. That night became one of my favourite memories of the trip. I also spent most of my time with a few close friends which I made in Korea. We explored Hongdae, Seongsu, Myeongdong, and so many more places together. Those little adventures made the trip feel even more personal and special.

One of the best parts of this trip was seeing how quickly I grew in confidence. I was navigating public transport, ordering food in Korean, and even understanding bits of what people said around me. Being in a country where English wasn’t always an option really forced me to adapt, take initiative and be comfortable not always knowing what to do, and that is where the real learning happened.

I didn’t just pick up new words or phrases. I became more independent, more open, and more capable of handling new situations. I built friendships that I’m keeping in touch with, and I created memories that are way too many to list in one blog post.

This short program has truly been one of the best experiences of my university life so far. I went for the language, but I left with so much more — perspective, personal growth, and meaningful connections I’ll carry with me for a long time. If you’re even considering doing a short global program, I can’t recommend it enough. I only wish I had done it sooner or stayed longer.

Angelo Jayaseelan
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Korea University, Korea
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship

For more information about the UTS Global Short Program visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal