Sharon Lee | Global Learning and Engagement

Business Administration (BAB) student Sharon Lee participated in a Faculty-Led program Abroad (FLPA) in Seoul, South Korea.

Published: October 1, 2021

This summer, I was presented with the opportunity by Seneca to participate in a Faculty-Led Program Abroad (FLPA) to Seoul, South Korea. Being a big fan of k-dramas and being a travel lover, I was very excited to visit this vibrant country and experience the beautiful Korean culture. Konkuk University- one of Korea's leading higher education institute, was the host of this program and I was completely awe-struck by the beauty and size of the campus.

Luckily, during my time there, I had the opportunity to participate in the Konkuk University Festival which is organized by their Student Association every year during the month of May, to celebrate the university’s foundation. It was a three-day long event featuring performances and exhibitions by college departments and student clubs. I had the chance to be a part of such a lively event where I attended the concert of a famous K-pop celebrity band ‘Red Velvet’ and a famous K-pop singer named ‘Crush’ who took the audience’s breath away when he sang the Goblin K-drama theme song. On the second day of the festival, I went canoeing for the first time and I really enjoyed it.

During my visit to Seoul, I made many wonderful memories. The most memorable one would be the visit to the Kyung Bok Emperor’s Palace. I got to wear the traditional cultural attire of the Koreans which is popularly called the Hanbok. The representatives of the host institute took us to a shop near the Palace where I could rent my Hanbok and I was asked to choose the colour and design of it. After dressing up, I visited the Palace and I was overwhelmed with joy and I felt like a Korean princess featuring in a k-drama, haha. The Kyung Bok Palace was mesmerizing with its brilliant architecture and beauty. It was flooded with so many tourists, all dressed up in the Korean attire.

I also experienced a lot of new things by taking part in activities organized by the host institute, one of which was the Korean cooking class. I learnt how to make Korean seafood pancake and a dish called ‘Bulgogi’ which is a meat dish popular in the Korean cuisine. I also took part in a Taekwondo class and learnt a few moves of self-defence. It was a fun and unique experience. I also took Korean language classes where the seongsaengnim ('teacher' in Korean) taught me how to communicate and write in Korean.

Another wonderful experience was the overnight stay at the Hwagyesa Temple. It was a very peaceful and calming experience which helped me to have a deeper understanding of myself and reflect on my life. It was like an escape from the hustle and bustle of a city life and being in the midst of nature, really refreshed my mind and body.

Seoul is a city which is a must to add on the bucket list of places to visit. There are so many things that one can do in this city and it is indeed a city that never sleeps. From visiting beautiful museums, palaces and amusement parks, to trying out their tasty cuisine and having a fun night at Norebang (Karaoke room), it is a place that I will never get bored of visiting. I have gained a lot of new experiences and knowledge about the Korean culture which I will cherish deeply. I am very grateful for having the opportunity to participate in this FLPA and I can’t wait to travel and see the world. Traveling makes me try new things and helps me to gain confidence and a deeper understanding of life and what it has to offer. I believe that when you learn more about the world and meet different kinds of people, you tend to push past your boundaries and step out of your comfort zone.