Finals at a foreign university can be daunting and stressful but finding a good study spot, buddy, and routine will help you through.
Hello my name is Anna Bakken, and since I am wrapping up my finals I thought I'd share the best places to study at Korea University! Korea University has a pretty rigorous finals schedule/ exams, and I would say they are definitely a little more difficult than at GWU. If you find yourself studying abroad in an Asian country you might find that the expectations and systems for finals are a lot more strict. This can make finals a little more stressful as someone who hasn’t encountered these practices before.
Korea University fosters a studious environment and many students study heavily as it is a prestigious university. I would recommend, even if your grades don’t transfer, checking out some of these study spaces and taking advantage of the many study cafes. I found it really interesting that you can go to 24-hour computer rooms or cafes to game or study in South Korea. Additionally, late studying is very popular and these places do actually fill up. There are many 24 hour cafes in Anam, the neighborhood where Korea University is located.
Cafe culture in South Korea is very popular as well, you can find many themed and aesthetic cafes with interesting drink flavors/combos. As someone who loves coffee and needs a good atmosphere to study, I highly recommend perusing instagram or tiktok to find some good cafes around KU. However, the classic study spots in Korea University are also very nice. There were two libraries I frequented, one on the main campus and the other on the science campus. These are both very large and you do actually have to book your seats. This might seem daunting, but once you receive your student card all you have to do after entering is tap and pick an open seat to reserve from anywhere from 1-5 hours. The top floors have more windows and, in my opinion, a cozier feel. But if you need a true library experience to jump start your productivity, I recommend the basement floors. I would also recommend exploring other campus buildings as they often have a hidden floor with nice study spots. I didn’t find many of these spots, like that of the 5th floor of SK Future hall, until late into my semester abroad so don’t be afraid to adventure around earlier on. Or as always, ask fellow Korean students for their favorite study spots.
My final recommendation is finding a study buddy so you keep on track and don’t overdo it in the library! Finals are different university to university, and it's always interesting to see how, as global students, we can learn from each other. So don’t be too overwhelmed by studying culture in South Korea, and try to experience it in all its glory if you get the chance!
Anna Bakken
Fall 2023
GW Exchange - Korea University
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs and Marketing Major
The Global Bachelor's Program