Jackson Thompson Blewden
Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, Korean Language Study Abroad
Introduction
Hi everyone! I’m Jackson, one of the University of Auckland students spending three months studying Korean at Korea University in Seoul!
Although I was born and grew up in New Zealand, I’ve always been fascinated with the world around me and have had a deep desire to travel. I started learning Italian, Chinese, and finally Korean – which is how I was lucky enough to receive this opportunity to spend some time in South Korea!
I’ve just finished four years at the University of Auckland studying a conjoint degree (Bachelor of Arts and Global Studies), majoring in Communications and International Relations and Business. I’ve learnt so much about myself along the way, but I know that what I end up doing later in life will have a strong international focus.
On this trip, I can’t wait to make close friends with people from all kinds of backgrounds, expand my worldview, and get the opportunity to truly settle into local life, all while studying at the famous Korea University. Of course, I also am taking every opportunity to use and develop my Korean abilities, which is another aspect of this journey I’m incredibly excited about!
I still can’t believe I’m here and really on this journey – I’m so thankful to have received this opportunity. It’s going to be a perfect way to finish off my degree and close this chapter of my university life.
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Looking into (Korea’s) future
It’s hard to believe that as I write this, it’s early February, and the end of our trip is beginning to loom in the distance. As we packed so many activities and sights into the first month, time seemed to move rather slowly, but I have to say that January passed me by in the…Continue…
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Mid-semester exams and seeing more of Seoul!
The past couple of weeks have passed me by in a blur – hence my absence from writing these blog posts! Our sixth week of classes brought with it the first somewhat serious part of the course: the mid-semester examinations! Our course’s assessment is almost entirely composed of two exam periods – the mid-semester exam…Continue…
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Making friends
Perhaps the most pressing concern I had on my mind before I left for South Korea was the need to make friends while on the trip. Prior to leaving New Zealand, I was already incredibly close with many of the other UoA students on the trip as we were in the same 2022 Korean classes…Continue…