No. 152 / Jun 7, 2021
Before COVID-19, Ajou University held a short-term study abroad program during each school vacation. As of 2020, the program has moved online. The Ajou Globe (The AG) interviewed students who have partaken in the program aboard and those who received the online experience for further details on how the initiative is conducted.
Lee Hye-in (2nd grade, Department of Economics / Sapporo Gakuin University, 2020.01~02)
Q. Please explain how the class proceeded.
A. On the first day, we took a base level test for Japanese proficiency and were assigned to the class. We had two 3-hour classes every day, in which we learned Japanese words, grammar, etc. We also gave a presentation about our majors and developed skills through conversation.
Q. Were there any other activities besides the class?
A. We went on field trips every weekend: Biei, Otaru, Lake Toya. Biei is one of the attractions in Hokkaido. The canal in Otru was also a popular place in Japanese movies. I spent time with the people I came to Ajou University with, and we enjoyed tourist attractions in our free time. When we went to Lake Toya, we saw lakes and mountains and enjoyed the snow festival. In the second half of the program, we had to do a presentation. Each group decided on a topic and discussed it from the difference of Korean culture and Japanese culture. Our group compared the lunch box culture in each place.
Q. Were there any exchanges with students attending university?
A. We made some close buddies while traveling and talking with them. We communicated with each other through Social Network Services (SNS) and played with them all month long in Sapporo. We had time to teach each other the language and get to know each other in terms of our cultures.
Q. Is there anything you want to say to students interested in a short-term program?
A. I really recommend this program as an opportunity to meet various people. It was a pleasure to live abroad for a month, and I still keep in touch with the people who were part of the short-term program.
Chae Soo-jeong (4th grade, Department of Psychology / Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2021.01~02)
Q. Why did you apply for a short-term dispatch despite it taking place online?
A. I saw the online program as a benefit because I could also do other activities during the vacation. If it were offline, I would have spent a lot more time and money.
Q. Please explain how the online short-term program proceeded.
A. Shanghai Jiao Tong University proceeded with live and recorded classes. The recording is a preliminary video that helps you understand during real-time lectures. There were no difficulties due to the English subtitles. For the real-time classes, the entire class learns about Chinese culture (calligraphy, history, etc.). Real-time classes for learning Chinese, however, are divided according to level.
Q. Are there any aspects of the online program that you gained from or were disappointed by?
A. I think the online program has enough strengths. The international exchange team was very kind. I initially worried about communication, but the program was well organized. One unfortunate issue was that it was often not accessible in real time. It was regrettable that the university was not able to cope. The recordings were always uploaded after class, so there was no significant problem.
Q. Is there anything you want to say to students who want to embark on a short-term program?
A. I recommend it to students who are worried about becoming exchange students or who want to experience classes at schools overseas. If you have time, I highly recommend that you try it during vacation.
By Lee Yun-zee, AG Reporter
lyz5511@ajou.ac.kr
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