Q1. Please introduce yourself.
Hi, my name is Leeya. I am a 20-year-old international student majoring in Economics. At Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), I am also taking geopolitics courses. My university is in Lille, a city about an hour by train from Paris, France. However, I am originally from Madagascar, an island in Southern Africa. I love eating delicious food and interacting with people!
Q2. Why did you choose Korea and SKKU?
I have already visited several Asian countries and knew I wanted to exchange in an East Asian country as the cultures are quite familiar to me. Having watched several K-drama series, I chose South Korea to discover such a rich culture and country for a semester. I also thought it was a place where I could live on my own as a young student. Therefore, I chose SKKU, a prestigious school renowned for the student life it offers to international students.
Q3. How is your life at SKKU?
The courses here are more intensive than at my home university. Still, I am happy to be able to attend courses that my university does not offer in France and also discover different teaching styles. I find that the students have to be more independent here, but the professors are very understanding and professional, and I can ask for help whenever I need it. Getting used to a new environment can be stressful, but the local students and administration make it easier by being very open and welcoming. The infrastructure here is also fantastic, as you can find almost everything on campus, which is very practical.
Q4. How do you think your experience at SKKU will impact your future?
This experience abroad will not only push me to go beyond my limits but also to get to understand myself better. Thanks to the exchange program, I learned more about myself and others. It also forced me to get out of my comfort zone and meet people of diverse backgrounds. In the future, I plan to continue my studies in an Asian country after completing my bachelor’s degree and maybe return to SKKU later!