USAC Korea: Gwangju - Undergraduate Courses

I spent my spring 2025 semester in Yeosu! For the first time in my life I was going out into the world alone and I wouldn’t have done it without USAC! I chose the Korean intensive program in Yeosu with Chonnam National University and I had so much fun and definitely improved my Korean skills! At the beginning of the program i could barely speak in Korean but by the end of the program I was talking with the elders on the streets in Seoul! I’m very proud of how much I’ve grown in Yeosu. The coordinators Choi Eunyoung and Ma Gahee were the best! Through everything they helped from health insurance to just adapting to the new environment.

I loved being able to go to Gwangju last summer! I met so many people from around the world, and have made so many connections with people I never would have been introduced to had I not studied abroad here. I really enjoyed Chonnam's campus, and how it reflects the recent history of the democratic uprising that took place in Gwangju in the 1980s.I like that CNU has a buddy system program built in where students at Chonnam help international students navigate the campus and Korea. I still keep in touch with my CNU buddies :) I am so grateful to my home university in the US, Chonnam University in Gwangju, and USAC for helping me achieve my dream of studying abroad in Korea, making friends from around the world, and experiencing life in another country :)

When I arrive here in South Korea, I was very nervous yet happy to be here! Everything here is a cultural shock. However, you’ll learn to adapt around and explore out of your comfort zone. While studying abroad, take the time to explore to different cities nearby or faraway. Try out the cultural foods here! Learn about the history here! Everything that I listed is what I have been doing so far. Of course, when you’re feeling overwhelmed while being abroad, take a mental break and relax.