Computer Science & Engineering undergrad Chanel Koh stepped away from software this summer to study in South Korea through the College of Engineering’s International Exchange program. Her time abroad was divided into two experiences: she taught conversational English to students at Dankook University during the first part of her trip, and followed up with an academic program in which she studied the Korean language.
The College of Engineering has established international exchange programs with top technical universities worldwide to expose students to engineering in other cultures, according to Engineering International Exchange program coordinator Julie McMillin. Academic year, semester exchanges and summer programs are available. Classes are taught in English.
In the exchange program, Engineering students pay University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno tuition and fees. Students generally are exempt from tuition at the host university, but may have to pay some fees to the host university for student services, housing or other campus services. Students are responsible for their own travel and living expenses while abroad.
Here, Koh shares some thoughts about her experience abroad.
What made you want to go on this international exchange through the College of Engineering?
I was interested in learning about another culture. I was also interested in the teaching aspect because I've considered becoming a teacher. My family and I also love Korean food, so I was excited to try all the food in Korea. The trip was also efficient cost-wise because the program paid for my housing and some of my flight.
What was your main goal in South Korea?
My main goal was to explore Korean culture as much as possible — trying as many different foods as I could, learning the language, going to significant places such as temples, palaces and traditional markets, and learning about traditions like eating potato pancakes when it rains or making a lamb hat when you go to a sauna.
What were some similarities and differences between the United States and Korea?
Some differences were taking off shoes in some restaurants. Aprons for customers are common in many restaurants (so you can keep your clothes clean) and bowing when you say thank you. There’s also a lot of emphasis on aegyo, or cuteness. Age is a prominent subject and it’s common to ask people when you first meet them (I believe part of this is because respect for seniority is a big thing). Another difference is that you turn off the air conditioner when you leave a room to conserve energy.
Some similarities were that it’s common to celebrate birthdays or other special events with something sweet and sharing food is very common. Meals are often served family style, similar to how people share food at potlucks and barbecues.
What takeaways do you have from this experience?
I will take more pictures with friends and family. While I was in Korea, there were photobooth places wherever you went, and a lot of people go to photobooths with their friends at every hangout. My students even told me that it feels essential so that you can look back and remember good memories.
What were some of the best memories you made along the way of this trip?
- A dalgona challenge at a traditional market: dalgona is a thin, hard candy with an imprint of a shape. During the challenge, you try to chip out the shape with a toothpick without breaking the shape. My friends and I did the most challenging shapes, an umbrella and a gingerbread man. It was really fun to do the challenge together, and the person running it was very funny and sweet, even giving us another shot if we were really close. None of us conquered the challenge, but it was still a very fun, memorable experience.
- I took a kimchi-making class with friends and the instructor was very funny and enthusiastic. She told us stories of her mother making kimchi, and when we were done, she said we had made a “kimchi baby,” which was funny. Afterwards, we had dinner. We ate some kimchi pork stew, seafood pancake and pork belly wraps, which were really, really good. We bonded a lot with some of our Korean friends as well, which was a very good time.
- Getting lost for about an hour my first time using public transportation solo. I was meeting some of my friends in Seoul, which was about 1.5 hours away from the university by bus. After about an hour of travel and using the correct buses, I got lost in the subway because I thought that I had to transfer to a subway train, when I actually had to transfer to a bus. I asked multiple people for directions, used maps and walked to different stations, when eventually I found someone that told me I had to take a bus, not a subway train. The experience was tiring and a bit nerve wracking, but the experience made me gain self-confidence in my ability to problem-solve and persevere through events that didn’t quite go to plan.
Through her investment in her education, learning and exchange with international cultures, and understanding of others’ perspectives, Koh embodies the spirit of The Wolf Pack Way.
