Q3. Characteristics and strengths you would like to introduce to other friends

Before my first exchange semester, I had not heard of Cheongju, but after staying here for a while, I can confidently say that it is one of the nicest places in Korea. The campus is a lot different from what I know in Germany. It is super pretty, and you can do a lot of things. Cafés and restaurants near the campus are also really lovely. If you drive a little further, you can also find fancier cafés with a beautiful view. Korea, in general, has a lot of beautiful things to offer, and it is relatively cheap to travel. Some places are a bit pricier but nothing compared to traveling in Germany.

Q4. How do you feel about living in Korea

As an exchange student living in Korea is mostly nice. In the beginning, you need a little time to adjust to a new lifestyle. I was lucky enough to meet many kind people who helped me with many things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q5. Advice to your juniors before entering Korea

The advice I would have for anyone that decides to come to Korea is to know the basics of Korean. It would be really helpful to know at least how to read Korean and learn basic phrases.

Besides the language, it is crucial to make sure to have all the documents that are required.

 

 

 

Q6. Recommended places in Korea and Cheongju

During my time in Korea, I had the chance to travel to many beautiful places. I had the best time in Sokcho. It is the perfect place to have a relaxing trip alone or with friends. It is ideal for hiking and also watching the sunset and sunrise. Other really nice travel destinations are Busan, Jeju, Daegu, and also places near Cheongju.

Q7. What is your favorite food and what food you can’t eat in Korea

Food in Korea is incredible. I had the chance to try so many different dishes that I did not know about before. I especially enjoy 닭갈비 (Spicy stir-fried chicken) and 떡볶이 (Spicy rice cakes). There are a lot of places that offer excellent and affordable food here in Cheongju.

The only thing I do not enjoy that much is that a lot of food tends to be more on the sweet side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q8. What is the most memorable event during exchange student programs? Or what event do you recommend?

During both of my times here at CBNU, the most memorable events were the concerts and the campus festivals. I was lucky enough to have been here before the pandemic and experienced various events on campus and around Cheongju.

Even though this time I was here during the pandemic, I had the opportunity to go to a lot of concerts. Concerts here in Korea are different from the ones in Germany. The concert halls are perfectly designed for the most incredible shows.

 

Q9. Difficulties as a foreign exchange student in Korea

The biggest difficulty as a foreigner in Korea is the language barrier. Another big difficulty is that you can't really do anything until you have your foreign registration card. Especially everything concerning online shopping is complicated. Nothing will stand in your way after a Korean bank account and a foreign registration card!