Aqib Zakaria, ’24, Government, Korea Institute Scholarship to Attend Seoul National University- International Summer Program (SNU-ISP) Tuition Waiver, Summer 2022

September 12, 2022
Aqib Zakaria

This summer, I spent a month in South Korea at Seoul National University’s International Summer Program (SNU ISP). That short month was transformative for me, as it gave me deeper insight on my future career in East Asia, allowed me to make a connection of friends and colleagues all over the world, and confront my preconceptions of the country.

I enrolled in two courses at SNU ISP—one on the East Asian financial system and another on the application of international law. Through these courses I was able to engage with Korean professors who have served for decades in the Korean government, as well as make valuable friendships with classmates from England, Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, and many other countries. The program also exposed me to Korean university life, which drastically differs from pedagogy in the U.S. or Harvard. For example, I was a bit frustrated that opinions differing from the lecturer or lively debate was discouraged in some (but not all) classrooms at SNU ISP, while it is particularly encouraged at Harvard.Outside the classroom, the program gave us plenty of time to explore Seoul ourselves, but also took us to other parts of Korea, such as Paju and Boryeung. These trips and my time outside the classroom were more transformative and impactful for me than my time outside of it.

SNU ISP also made me appreciate the Harvard community and its worldwide extent. I met with several classmates and a professor who were more than excited to meet up in Korea. This bridge between Cambridge and Seoul during my first time in Korea provided a great sense of stability while I was still getting accustomed to the country and finding my routine.

Overall, I would greatly recommend SNU ISP to other students wishing to study in Seoul for the summer, especially if it is their first time going to the country.