University of Wisconsin–Madison

South Korea : Lisbeth Luna (Global Classroom)

My Global Classroom 

My time in South Korea so far has been like a movie.

A classroom full of students look at a projector with a screen that says "Game Rules" with a golden trophy behind it.
A game of “Who can say Korean numbers the fastest?” in Practical Korean 101

First, registering for classes here was like competing in The Hunger Games. Unlike the ease of assigned time slots at UW, all the exchange and visiting students enroll at the same time. It truly was a battle for who got the classes they wanted. With a different registration process, I wanted to see what the classroom atmosphere was like for my classes.

My Korean language class has many more games and group activities (more fun and relaxed Hunger Games). After we learn new grammar rules, letters, or words, there is almost always a class game at the end. Like UW, the language classes are smaller, with more student and professor interaction. My other classes are also smaller, with the largest being about 50 people. The syllabus and course workloads at Ewha make me feel like I’m still in Madison. With regular readings, homework, midterms, and finals – it’s like I never left.

A city full of skyscrapers is framed by traditional buildings with slanted roofs.
At Bukchon Hanok Village

Outside of traditional classroom walls, I have explored Seoul and learned about Korean history and culture. The number of palaces, hanok (traditional Korean houses), and other landmarks mean there’s always something to learn. In this part of the movie, I explore South Korea after going through the battlefield of registration and class games.

 

A view of a city with mountains in the far distance and a brick wall in the foreground.
The view from the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress!

 

 

 

Lisbeth looks over her shoulder in a grassy field holding a bouquet of pink flowers.

Lisbeth Luna

Major: International Studies and Economics; Cert. Criminal Justice and Chicano/Latino Studies

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Program: Ewha University Exchange in South Korea

I am very excited to be in South Korea, immerse myself in the culture, try new food, and meet new people! I also look forward to learning different perspectives on international politics & policy, and economics through my classes. Since middle school, I have been interested in Korean culture, and I’m excited to be in Seoul for three months to delve deeper into my academic and personal interests.