Bettina Kengo Jensen (24) from Denmark is pursuing a master's degree in energy engineering, and chose to come to Seoul National University as an exchange student for one semester. Visiting Asia for the first time, she has been able to explore Seoul and get to learn about Korea, the country from which she was adopted.For what reasons did you come to Korea?
I wanted to experience somewhere new. In Denmark, not many students go to Asia for an exchange, and even if they do so, they usually go to Hong Kong or Singapore where many people speak English. So when I first told my friends I was going to Korea, they thought it was pretty cool. And I was adopted from Korea, so naturally I have always been interested in Korea.
So far, what is your impression of Korea?
People here are generally shyer than Europeans. Perhaps it's because not many Koreans feel comfortable speaking in English, but I also think it might have to do with an aspect of Korean culture that encourages showing extra politeness to older people. One time, I noticed some of my undergraduate friends changed their attitude upon finding out I was older than them. Also, the fact that you don’t usually address your professors by their first name was new to me as well.
And I am very impressed by Korea's public transportation system. It is reasonably-priced and well-connected. Whenever any Korean friend complains about the bus being crowded and so on, I tell them they should come and see how terrible it is in Europe. Besides, Seoul is a clean city. I arrived in Korea two weeks before the semester started, so I spent some time exploring the city myself, and I saw no graffiti whatsoever on the streets.
Which places have you visited?
I absolutely loved Kyungbok Palace. We don't have anything like that in Denmark. I like visiting museums, so I went to the National Museum and the War Memorial Museum, and they really helped me understand Korea's relations with China and Japan. The Joint Security Area, the border area between North Korea and South Korea, made a huge impression on me as well.
Have you experienced any cultural differences between Korea and Denmark?
There are many of them, but I was especially surprised at how the advertisements for plastic surgery were displayed here and there, for example throughout many subway stations. Also, I couldn’t help noticing many female students here walk around in heels and have a specific long hair style.
Additionally, I think Koreans are somewhat conservative when it comes to relationships. Unlike in Denmark or any European countries, I hardly see any couple holding hands on the street. Even at a club, people behave in a more reserved, conservative way even though they drink quite a lot. Maybe it is because you get sex education from an early age, around 10 or 11, in Denmark while that is not the case in Korea.
In what ways does SNU differ from your home university?
For one thing, SNU's campus is huge, and it has lots of hills compared to Danish colleges which are usually just flat. I have been walking a lot around the campus to enjoy it while I can. Academic-wise, I think SNU's courses require lots of reading and assignments. In Denmark, I did a lot of lab work in class, but a lot of it is assigned as homework at SNU. And I remember having some trouble finding courses taught in English here.
What do you like most about doing an exchange at SNU?
I really like the SNU BUDDY program, which helps exchange students at SNU adjust well to life in Korea by assigning a Korean SNU student to each exchange student. I have been hanging out a lot with my SNU Buddy group members, camping, exploring the city, partying, etc. I appreciate all the help I am getting from them.
And as an energy engineering major, I like how the SNU dorm, where I am living, is putting a lot of effort into becoming more eco-friendly. The dorm has a considerable number of windmills and solar panels. I guess it lives up to Korea's reputation of being one of the pioneering countries in the green energy field. I can easily imagine myself working in Korea in a related field someday.
How are you planning to spend the rest of your time at SNU?
Before I came here, I thought it would be a good chance to focus on my studies. On the contrary, however, people here party a lot, and I guess I have been one of them so far. I am thinking of spending more time on academics, but my friends and I are considering going to some K-pop concerts since K-pop is pretty huge these days.
But more than anything, I am really looking forward to the spring in Korea.
Written by LEE Sukyoung, SNU English Editor, sukyoung123n@gmail.com
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies, eps7257@snu.ac.kr
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor, morningcalm2@gmail.com