Q1. Please introduce yourself.
My name is Jess Armstrong. I am 21 years old and from Newcastle upon Tyne, England. I study mass communications with a focus on advertising at Northumbria University. Currently, I am spending my third year abroad as an exchange student at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), where I am taking courses in media and communications. I will be here until June next year.
Q2. What motivated you to come to Korea for your exchange?
I chose Korea because I think its culture and media are becoming increasingly global and influential, which makes it especially relevant to my field of study. When I researched Seoul, everything looked so vibrant, dynamic, and completely different from the United Kingdom (UK), and I wanted to immerse myself in that new environment. I also chose SKKU because it has a reputation for being welcoming to international students, and my home university has a strong partnership with SKKU.
Q3. What has been the biggest cultural difference you have experienced between your home country and Korea?
One of the first things I noticed was the lack of public trash bins. In the UK, they are everywhere, so it was surprising to suddenly carry empty bottles around until I got home. Another difference is not being allowed to eat or drink on buses or trains, which is something people do all the time back in the UK. At the same time, I have really enjoyed the generosity here — like getting free side dishes or small extras in restaurants and cafés, which almost never happens in the UK. These little contrasts make everyday life in Korea feel very new and memorable.
Q4. What kinds of memories do you hope to make while you are here in Korea?
I hope to experience as much as I can and feel like I truly lived in Korea. I want to explore as many cafés and bakeries as possible — Seoul seems full of unique spots with amazing desserts. Traveling is also important to me, and Jeju Island is at the top of my list because it looks beautiful and so different from the city. I also want to visit amusement parks like Lotte World and Everland since I love roller coasters. Most of all, I hope to make lasting friendships with the people I meet here because those will be the memories I value most when I return home.