Korean Studies (MA) (120EC)
Student experiences
Deyana Dencheva: My year in Korea
What made the year Korea special?
My year in Korea was special because of all the wonderful people I met on my journey. From my friends and professors in academia, to local convenience store owners and baristas, I met people who gave me their unique view of Korea, and I loved interacting with all of them. I would often ask for their opinion and follow recommendations they gave me, which made my experience feel more personal and unique.
Can you tell us a bit about what you did in Korea?
I spent the majority of my time studying and travelling around Korea. I almost managed to strike the work-life balance, although the scales tipped in favour of work a little more.
During the first semester, I followed language classes every day and quickly got into a routine, but no day felt boring - I met people from different backgrounds, and the Korean language became the bridge that connected us. During the second semester, I joined a research programme at my university and embraced academic Korean for the first time. This experience was especially valuable and rewarding, as I not only developed my language skills further, but was able to make progress with my research as well.
"My year in Korea was special because of all the wonderful people I met on my journey. From my friends and professors in academia, to local convenience store owners and baristas."
What's the most important thing you learned during your year abroad?
One valuable lesson for me was about self-discipline. I wanted to do well in my studies, but I also wanted to explore Korea and have fun. To have time for both, I had to manage my schedule well, which involved plenty of pre-planning, especially when it came to trips. Being well-organised was the key to make the most out of my time in Korea.
My travels were one of my biggest sources for learning. There is always something to discover in the big city, so I never got tired of exploring Seoul, but smaller cities are full of hidden gems. While I loved using my map to bookmark places I went to, I found myself focusing not so much on the tourist spots, but on the people and overall atmosphere of the place.
Are there any tips you would give prospective students with regards to studying Korean Studies at Leiden University or studying a year abroad?
I would like to encourage all prospective students to have more trust in themselves on this journey that is full of surprises. You can’t prepare yourself for every obstacle, and there’s no need to do that. Oftentimes, you have to figure things out along the way, and you have to be creative about it, but that can be fun and exciting in an unexpected way. Embrace the challenge!