Q1. Please introduce yourself.
Hi! My name is Tseng Ya Ling, but my friends call me Elina. I am a 22-year-old exchange student from Taiwan, an island nation near South Korea. I majored in Korean Language and Culture at National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taiwan. After I came to Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), I chose English Language and Literature as my major.
Q2. Why did you choose Korea and SKKU?
Becoming an exchange student in Korea was one of my dreams. When I decided to participate in the exchange student program, my primary concerns were the language barrier and cultural differences. Since Korea is close to my home country and I was already familiar with the Korean language, I recognized it would be the best place to begin exploring the world. Also, I chose SKKU since it has a high international reputation, not to mention its impressive historical background.
Q3. How is your life at SKKU?
In the first semester, I took the Regular Korean Language Program at Sungkyun Language Institute (SLI) and finished the Level 6 course. It was a stressful yet helpful experience in improving my Korean language skills. In addition to academic achievement, I joined the Sungkyunkwan Academic Photography Association (SAPA), a great club for exchange and international students, where I met many friendly people. Honestly, it is difficult to find the exact words to describe life at SKKU, but I am sure that SKKU will not be a disappointment!
Q4. How do you think your experience at SKKU will impact your future?
Adapting to a new environment with a different culture and language is challenging but exciting. My experience at SKKU as an exchange student not only broadened my horizons but also enriched my life. While I majored in Korean at NCCU, studying here greatly improved my Korean speaking skills. Also, experiences in Korea influenced my personality. Before coming to Korea, I used to be shy to chat with strangers. However, after meeting many friends with different backgrounds during the classes and activities, I can now easily start small talk with anyone. Overall, being an exchange student will be one of the most wonderful journeys of my life.