Comparing Berry College to Korea University

by Ciara Stephens

Studying abroad gives students the chance to explore new places and in most cases experience a completely different lifestyle. This past spring, I had the chance to spend a semester abroad in Seoul, South Korea at Korea University. My host university was a lot different from Berry. Korea University (KU) is a public school with over 37,000 students. KU holds a prestigious undergraduate law program and is also notable in the economics and journalism disciplines. Set in the city, KU is surrounded by many cafes, restaurants, PC rooms and karaoke rooms.

In many ways, KU and Berry are two completely different places. Looking closer, however, there are similarities between the two. Both schools were founded in the early 1900s separated by only three years. This year, KU celebrated its 110th founding anniversary on May 5. Both schools also have two different campuses. KU has a separate campus focused more on research which mimics Berry’s own Mountain Campus. Just as Berry celebrates Exam Jam in the spring, KU has its own spring cheering festival where famous singers come to perform. This year Psy, the singer of “Gangnam Style,” performed along with other Korean artists and groups.

Although it was hard being away, these few things comforted me and reminded me that there are always differences, but also similarities between two places. Homesickness is a topic that often gets pushed aside when talking about study abroad. No one mentions that at times, you will feel very lonely, incapable and like you’ve made a huge mistake. One way to combat this problem is to recognize the things that remind you of home, whether that is with food, places or traditions. In my case, the biggest reminder of Berry is in the architecture: both places make me feel like a princess.