Hello from Seoul! My name is Sarah Yang, and I am a sophomore studying computer science at SCI. After an extended month-and-a-half winter break, in late February, I finally embarked on my journey to study at Korea University for the Spring 2026 semester!
Boarding the plane for my 17-hour flight felt surreal. Essentially, a year of planning, applying, and waiting had led to this moment. I planned a study abroad in South Korea to connect more deeply with my Korean heritage, a part of my identity I have long felt on the periphery. With my preschool-level Korean, I knew there would be obstacles to face, and I honestly dreaded the awkward miscommunication and clunky translations. As I greeted my aunt at the airport, I was immediately confronted with the language barrier. Since I did not yet have data for my iPhone apps, we had to communicate without a translator. The mostly silent one-hour car ride felt disheartening, but I knew I had plenty of time to focus on my Korean language growth.
The next day, my aunt drove me to my Korea University dorm. Driving up the steep, winding hill to my dorm, my legs trembled, remembering the trek up Cardiac Hill. At the dorms, I met my roommate, a fellow American from North Carolina, and had fun meeting other exchange students from around the globe. I was elated to hear many of them wanted to do a lot of exploring during orientation week, and each day, a group of new friends and I traveled to different neighborhoods in Seoul. It was exciting feeling like a freshman and exploring an unfamiliar city again.
Last week, I started classes for the semester. South Korea’s semester schedule differs from that of the United States, with the spring semester typically beginning in March and running to the end of June. I am taking various electives to fulfill general education and Korean minor requirements. I am also taking an elective, Human-Computer Interaction, for my computer science degree. Besides my Korean classes, my courses are taught in English. All my professors have been supportive in providing resources, so I feel confident that I will eventually adapt to university life in Seoul. Talk to you again soon!
