My Reflection on the SNUAA USA Scholarship in Korea – Lauren Lee

During the summer, I earned a valuable experience by participating in the SNU ISP Program. During the program, I obtained valuable cultural and academic knowledge by taking 2 intensive college courses, interacting with fellow classmates, and going on cultural excursions through the weekly field trip that happened on Saturdays. I was thankful for this opportunity, because it not only allowed me to be extra productive this summer, but also helped me learn invaluable lessons.

I thoroughly enjoyed my classes, since they allowed me to expand beyond the curriculum offered at my home institution, the University of California, Berkeley. When engaging with coursework and interacting with fellow classmates through discussion or group projects, I learned not just academic skills, but about the cultures of many nations through interactions with students from India, Lithuania, Italy, China, and Korea. Having the honor to take classes and stay in the dorm of a renowned institution such as Seoul National University, ignited a sense of pride and joy in me. I enjoyed venturing the beautiful campus which was filled with different shruberies, and a variety of excellent study locations, like the beautiful library, calm cafes, and vast fields.

I also learned more about my identity through SNU ISP. By sharing my favorite restaurants in Seoul with my friends, teaching Korean, and going on field trips, I got to teach others and get to know myself better in the process. I was proud to share information about Korean culture with my Lithuanian friends, who were eager to learn Korean phrases, trends, and popular foods. Getting more opportunities to embrace my mother tongue and teaching my friends about positive aspects like Korean hospitality made me realize that there’s so much more to my identity than just being a Korean-American. As a Korean American who visits Korea every year, the field trip destinations initially seemed cliché to me. However, experiencing them with my friends made them feel different, allowing me to appreciate new aspects of places I had previously visited only with family or on my own.

I was incredibly grateful that, in addition to receiving the SNUAA Scholarship, I had the opportunity to participate in the SNU ISP program. The experience was truly indispensable to my growth, giving me opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with Korea in ways that I could not have experienced otherwise. Beyond the classroom, I was able to form meaningful friendships, experience new perspectives, and discover a different side of Korea even as someone who has visited the country many times before. These experiences have left a lasting impact on me, and I believe that every student who has the opportunity to participate in SNU ISP should take full advantage of it. I sincerely hope that this program will continue to be offered to future scholarship recipients, so that they too can benefit from the invaluable experiences, connections, and memories that the program provides.

Trying traditional KBBQ near in Myeongdong