Finally at the language school I’ve always wanted to attend
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a day ago
While I was a college student, during the stay-at-home period because of the coronavirus, I got hooked on Korean dramas.
After that, because the university practicum promised a chance to go to Korea, I enrolled in a sports culture course I wasn't interested in. With the recent popularity of K-pop idols and Korean dramas, I thought many students would take it, but I was the only student enrolled, so it was one-on-one lessons with the professor.
During the practicum, we watched an exhibition match between Yonsei University, the professor's alma mater, and Korea University, one of Korea's top elite schools. I was amazed by how loud and energetic the student cheering and performances were, and I thought that if I ever went to Korea, I would like to visit Yonsei University.
Soon I became a working adult, but I still wanted to learn the language on site and experience foreign culture firsthand, so I decided to study abroad at a Korean language institute.
Before the semester started there was a placement test that divided students into levels 1 through 6. (If you don’t know Korean you’re automatically placed in Level 1.) The test consisted of written and speaking parts. The system was that you completed the written section as far as you could, took the speaking test, then went home. As for the written part, this is just my guess, but I think it was around TOPIK Level 5 or 6 level. I had TOPIK Level 2, so I understood the early questions, but as it went on I didn’t know many words and felt I wouldn’t have enough time if I tried to solve everything properly. For the speaking part, I looked up sample questions online in advance, predicted what might be asked, and memorized answers, but when I was asked unexpected questions I could hardly speak.
Based on the placement test, I started in Level 2. The class had three Japanese students including me, five Chinese students, and one each from the United States, Russia, Malaysia, and Norway. I chose the afternoon class, but morning sessions are popular, so I recommend applying early.
Classes felt like two grammar periods, one listening period, and one writing period. I’d heard online that Yonsei University focuses on grammar, and the classes are structured that way: two grammar periods, one listening period, and one writing period. Of course, classes are taught in Korean, and the Korean being taught is explained using simpler Korean, so it can be a bit difficult if you don’t have some basic foundation.
Outside of class, if you only hang out with people from the same country it can hamper your studying, but I’ve become friends with some Japanese classmates and we eat together and go to cafes. When I miss a class or need advice, it’s helpful to have friends who understand your language, so having those friends makes life easier.
Recently, we had a cultural experience class and made Japchae. I was paired with a Chinese student, but we struggled to communicate, so I read the mood and ended up doing the dishes most of the time.
Also, because I'm not good at speaking and I want friends in Korea, I join Japan–Korea exchange event, and since I like traveling, I go out on trips.
It's only been a month since I arrived in Korea, but I remember one night clearly: I met up with friends I made at a Japan–Korea exchange event, we ate in Gangnam, drank, missed the last train, took a bus home, and I finally got to my apartment at 2 a.m. By chance I even saw the actor Ko Kyung-pyo. It was such a fulfilling day.
I plan to stay until the winter term (February next year). Right now I can sort of understand spoken Korean, but I can’t express my own thoughts. It’s very frustrating and I worry whether I’ll be able to improve, but I want to keep working at it little by little.