Seoul National University (SNU) is Korea's most prestigious institution of higher education and a dream school for many aspiring students worldwide. Niharika Rajput, a 20-year-old Indian, earned a full scholarship to finish her undergraduate studies at SNU through the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program of the Korean government.
In an email interview on July 24 and 30, Rajaput shared her experience as an international student in Korea.
Briefly introduce yourself.
My name is Niharika Rajput and I'm a food and animal biotechnology major at SNU.
Why did you want to study in Korea?
Like many others, my interest in Korea was sparked by K-pop. I found out about SNU in 2017 and grew fascinated by its diverse courses and excellent facilities. As my interest in studying in Korea rose after watching K-dramas like "Sky Castle," I taught myself Korean and decided to attend SNU.
How has life in Korea been?
The first year when I was learning Korean, I had more time to travel and explore with plenty of opportunities to make international friends. Now, I'm focused more on studying my major so I spend most of my weekdays at the school library to finish my work so that I can enjoy my weekends. Studying in Korea has improved my self-discipline a lot.
Life in Korea has also changed my perspective of the country. The experiences I've had here have given me a deeper understanding of its cultural and historical aspects rather than the idealistic expectations I had before.
What were the biggest cultural shocks for you?
One thing I noticed in Korea was the uniformity in taste in everyday items such as clothing, makeup and accessories. Everything felt a bit muted compared to the colorful atmosphere of my home country. It was also difficult to find cosmetics that well suited me. In addition, I was surprised by the taste of gochujang (red pepper paste), which had a spiciness different than that in Indian cuisine.
What are your favorite places to visit in the country?
I love going to bookstores like the chains Kyobo and Aladin because they have used books and K-pop albums at affordable prices. I can find there Korean or Japanese literature and K-pop albums to add to my collection. And as a game enthusiast, I also enjoy going to PC rooms, which are everywhere in Korea.
Do you miss India?
I miss my family and friends the most as well as the food. Living in another country has made me appreciate the simple things I once thought were the norm back home. I think this is all part of the learning experience when adapting to a new culture.
What's the application process for the GKS like?
It was an eye-opening experience as it taught me that success requires proactive effort. The challenges included the COVID-19 pandemic, competitive admissions exams and especially getting all the documents in order. Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised when I got selected for the interview and eventually received the scholarship.
How did you learn Korean?
I started teaching myself Korean in India from the 11th grade. Under the GKS program, I got the opportunity to learn Korean at Daegu University for a year, and it was one of the most enjoyable learning experiences of my life. The four-hour classes were conducted entirely in Korean and the pacing was just right. My advice is to learn to read and write Hangeul before starting classes. Learning a lot of vocabulary is also important to communicate effectively even if your grammar isn't perfect. Living in Korea drastically improved my Korean fluency.
How did SNU's rigorous academic environment affect you?
Despite the language barrier and competitive atmosphere, my experience at SNU has been immensely rewarding. The labs and professors are top-notch, offering exposure to the latest trends and advances in our respective fields. I was also lucky to join a mentoring program under the GKS program, through which I gained valuable support and insight and explored resources and places that further enhanced my academic journey.
What advice do you have for those applying for the GKS this year?
While the GKS offers significant support and valuable benefits, it also demands hard work and dedication. Be ready to put in extra effort in your studies and adapt to the program's expectations. And keep in mind that studying for your classes held in Korean might require learning technical terms not covered in language classes.
You might feel lonely at times but you can make good friends if you step out of your comfort zone and embrace the language barrier. If your dream is to study in Korea, don't give up.
