Will Smith, '26, East Asian Studies/History, KI Scholarship to Attend Seoul National University-International Summer Program (SNU-ISP) (Tuition Waiver), Summer 2024
This summer, I had the excellent opportunity to visit Seoul National University’s International Summer Program (ISP) with the assistance of the Korea Institute. This visit also allowed me to travel to other cities across Korea after the program had finished, namely Andong, Gyeongju, and Busan. I wanted to use this time to further my understanding of Korean history with first-hand experience of modern Korean culture, supplemented by courses on the Korean language and Modern East Asian societies.
Although I became immersed primarily in the food and culture of Korea, I also immensely enjoyed building friendships with the other students of the ISP, whether it be comparing slang with my Australian classmates or learning about the differences in the school systems between America, Britain, and Korea. Although we have all gone our separate ways, I still keep in contact with several of the other students I met there and hope to continue to do so.
Life in Korea also allowed me to practice and improve my Korean language skills. While my work in the classroom was valuable in understanding new vocabulary and grammar patterns, I found it most helpful to learn by speaking on the streets of Seoul. Whether it be asking for directions, ordering food, or having general conversations, my year of study at Harvard and my time at SNU prepared me well for communicating in Korea. My other course, Modern History and Contemporary Social Issues of East Asian Societies, offered me new insight into the development of the modern nations of East Asia through the 20th century. This course has provided me with a firm foundation to study East Asia's contemporary history further.
In addition to studying and exploring Seoul independently, the ISP-organized excursions were excellent day trips. My favorite experience was the trip to the DMZ. Earlier that week, I had visited the Korean War Memorial alone. I am thrilled that I did because it gave me a greater appreciation for the monuments at the Unification Park in Imjingak. My grandfather fought in the Korean War, and while I have read histories of the conflict, it had never felt as real as it had in the moments when I was standing within viewing distance of North Korea.
Overall, I have been blown away by my time in Korea. It was even more impressive than I had expected it to be. I am incredibly grateful to the Korean Institute for providing me with this opportunity.
Supported by the Seoul National University-International Summer Program (SNU-ISP) Tuition Waiver Program at the Harvard Korea Institute