Q1. Please introduce yourself.
My name is Loïc Hijl. I am from the Netherlands, but I study at the Ruhr University of Bochum (RUB) in Germany. My major is Economics and Politics of East Asia. However, in Korea, I am primarily studying economics, which is my main area of interest. I have been in the country since last August and plan to stay until July, attending both the fall and spring semesters.
Q2. Why did you choose Korea and SKKU?
Because of my major, I am required to take a minor in an East Asian language. I chose Korean due to my interest in Hangul and its unique characteristics, particularly in how the mouth moves when speaking the language. Among various universities, I decided on Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) based on recommendations from RUB exchange students, professors, and peers. I also heard that the area where SKKU is located is nice, and the courses for international students are well-prepared.
Q3. How is your life at SKKU?
Living in Seoul City has been an enjoyable experience. I have met many people from diverse backgrounds through events organized by the Global Student Network Help & Information Club (GSN HI-Club). My friends and I often go out for drinks. I especially appreciate the culture of dining together and ordering some bites before heading out. One of the highlights was the SKKU festival in the fall, ESKARA, and I am looking forward to the upcoming festival, Daedongje! Additionally, the professors at SKKU have been friendly and speak English well. They helped me understand some of the questions asked in Korean by fellow Korean students during class.
Q4. How has studying abroad in Korea shaped your future?
I came to Korea to gain a new perspective on where I would want to live in the future: how would it feel to be so far away from friends and family? Shortly before arriving, I met my Korean girlfriend, which made my time here even more meaningful. This has affirmed my enjoyment of this environment, and I might even return here after I finish my exchange program. Beyond this, my experience here also helped clarify my career interests by identifying fields I prefer to avoid. Talking to people from different academic backgrounds has been helpful in my decision-making. Overall, my time studying abroad in Korea has been a valuable experience.