The University Campus as a Microcosm of Korean Society

Hey my Canadian friends, one of the most fascinating places I’ve visited since coming to Korea is the university campus. While Canadian universities focus on individual academic growth and free-form exchange, Korean universities are a condensed version of society itself, with fierce competition, strong communal bonds, and a dynamic social life all rolled into one. Over the past few months, I’d like to share what I've seen and felt about the real culture of Korean universities, and what it’s like to live there as an outsider.

Academics: An Intensity Akin to a Battlefield

For Korean university students, academics isn't just about studying; it’s closer to a fierce battle for survival and future success. • Course Registration: At the start of every semester, students fight a "click-war" (called gwangkeul) even going to PC cafes to get the classes they want. The popular classes get filled in less than a second as soon as the servers open. This is the start of a competition to secure a "sweet class" (kkul gang-ui) that's easy to get a good grade in.

• GPA & "Spec": Korean students are very sensitive about their GPA. It's seen as a measure of diligence and a basic requirement for the job market. This is compounded by the pressure to build their "Spec" (or "Specifications"), which refers to their resume. Efforts to fill a single line on their resume after graduation—including TOEIC scores, various certifications, contest awards, internships, and volunteer work—continue throughout their university life.

• Team Projects: Known as jo-byeol gwa-je (team projects), this is a symbol of Korean university culture. It's included in almost every major course under the guise of fostering teamwork. In reality, it often leads to conflicts due to "free-riders," opinion clashes, and difficulty in dividing roles. As the saying goes, "There is no university life without team projects," and it's one of the biggest sources of stress for students.

The Military: An Unavoidable Gap and the "Returning Student" Culture

Something unimaginable in Canada, a unique life cycle exists for Korean male students. Most of them take a "leave of absence" (hyu-hak) after their first or second year to fulfill their mandatory military service, which lasts about 18 months. This gap marks a clear turning point in their university life. Before enlisting, first-year students enjoy the freedom after high school exams. However, upon returning as "returning students" (bok-hak-saeng), they are completely different. They often take classes with classmates and juniors who are two or three years younger, and their academic approach is much more serious, driven by a newfound maturity and urgency gained from their social experience. These bok-hak-saengs are often teased for their unique, old-man-like way of speaking, but they also hold a unique social position as a reliable backbone of the department.

Relationships: Strong Community and "Sunbae-Hubae" Culture

The biggest difference from individualistic Canadian universities was this strong sense of "community." • The Sunbae-Hubae System: This isn't just about being older or younger. A senior (sunbae) in the same major mentors their junior (hubae) on school life and often treats them to meals. In return, the junior respects and follows the senior's lead. While this can sometimes feel hierarchical and burdensome, it's a positive culture that largely helps students adjust to unfamiliar university life. "I'll buy you a meal" (Sunbae-ga bap sa-jul-ge) is one of the most commonly heard phrases on a Korean campus.

• MT (Membership Training): When new students arrive, departments or clubs go on an "MT." This overnight trip involves playing games, cooking, and talking all night. It's not just about having fun; it's a crucial ritual to build a sense of belonging and break down barriers between members.

• Dept. Rooms & Clubs: The "department room" (gwa-bang) is a space for students of the same major. It serves as a second home where they relax between classes, order food together, or study for exams. Additionally, clubs are the most important way to meet people with shared interests outside of the major. With hundreds of clubs for bands, dance, volunteering, academics, and religion, they are also a frequent birthplace for "campus couples" (CC).

Festivals: A Youthful Release, the "Dae-dong-je"

Once a year, in May, the campus transforms into a huge festival. • Student-run Pubs: During the festival, each department and club sets up tents to run their own "pubs." They sell food and drinks cooked by students at low prices, with profits used for student council fees or club budgets. It's common for friends to go from one pub to another to enjoy the festival.

• Celebrity Performances: The highlight of Korean university festivals is the "celebrity concert." Top-tier idol groups, famous rappers, and popular bands take the stage, attracting huge crowds of people, even from other schools. It’s also a symbol of the university’s reputation and financial power.

An Outsider's Perspective: The Exchange Student's Life

So, how do we foreign exchange students fit into this dynamic culture? There's a reality and culture of our own that is quite different from that of Korean students. • Our Own League: The "Exchange Student Bubble" Most exchange students end up hanging out with other international friends in a "bubble." This happens naturally because we share a similar language and culture, with common goals of travel and partying. We spend nights at clubs in Hongdae or Itaewon and travel to other cities in Korea via KTX on weekends. While this is a normal phenomenon, this "bubble" can also act as a wall that prevents deeper interactions with Korean students. • The Invisible Wall: Difficulty Adapting ◦ The Language Barrier: This is the biggest difficulty. While English-taught classes are increasing, it’s nearly impossible to join in on jokes at a team dinner or to follow the fast-paced conversations in a KakaoTalk group chat for a "team project." This often leads to an unintended feeling of isolation. ◦ "A One-Semester Friend": Korean students are very kind, but their lives are incredibly busy with "spec" and job preparations. They find it hard to invest significant time and effort in an exchange student who will be leaving in one semester. We exchange students often feel a sense of bitterness, saying, "Well, we're leaving soon anyway." ◦ Cultural Differences: The palli-palli ("hurry-hurry") culture, the hierarchical sunbae-hubae relationship, and the group drinking culture can be very stressful for students from individualistic societies.

Beyond the Wall: Positive Exchange and Opportunities

Of course, it's not all difficult. Most universities have "Buddy" or "Helper" programs where an assigned Korean partner provides great help with the initial adjustment. By participating in "language exchange clubs" and international programs, we also get opportunities to deeply understand Korean culture and make genuine friends. Most importantly, the warmth and affection (jeong) of the Korean students who approach a stranger first to introduce delicious food or encourage our clumsy Korean are the biggest gifts and most unforgettable memories of our exchange student life.

Conclusion

Korean universities were an incredibly dynamic space where fierce competition, a warm community, and an explosive youthful energy all coexisted. Within it, Korean students grow through a major break for mandatory military service and try to create romance and memories despite the anxiety about their future. Meanwhile, foreign exchange students feel frustrated by the walls of cultural differences but try to overcome them with warmth and affection. The campus truly was a living microcosm that best showed me what Korean society is today, what its future might look like, and how it communicates with the world.