By riakkim
Study culture in Korea can be pretty intense, and I've found that Koreans primarily study in two places: cafes and the various study spaces around campus, such as the library. Unlike America, Korea has various places that are like a library study environment but without the books. Regarding these study places, they have a very intense atmosphere and are dead silent inside- even making a slight sound makes me nervous and uncomfortable, and they feel slightly sanitary at times.
There are distinctions between laptop-use areas and areas that are limited to books only, and most of the time students have stands that keep their books up so that they are easier to read (like a music stand, but for desks).
Another difference is that you have to reserve spots prior to entering, and you can extend your time or change seats this way, but it can be frustrating if you don't know the area well and I've found myself changing seats on this system so I can sit by a window but don't know the seat number. I've found its a good place to sit and concentrate when I have lots of work I need to finish, and despite its occasional sanitary feeling, I've found that the ones on the upper level of Samsung Hall are wide open and spacious, which helps to make it feel a little better.
Another place that Koreans used to study are these places with desks and a light, that are much like the cubicles you can find inside Gelman third floor- but these rooms only have rows and rows of those cubicles. They're open late night which is good, but because of the rising popularity of cafes many of those places are running out of business.
Studying at cafes here is super popular, and it's not terribly difficult to find 24 hour cafes, especially around college campuses. They have cafes of every variety here, from places with traditional Korean-style low tables and floor cushions, to Starbucks and classy, clean cafes. Whatever cafe vibes you prefer, Korea has something for you- there are rows of cafes everywhere, and you'll always see students working, whether alone or in groups, and couples as well, as always (couple culture is big here, a little more later).
Another things I noticed is that Koreans tend to study for long times and really memorize the information- sometimes I feel that it can be rather inefficient, but I tend to prefer doing problem sets and actively apply the information rather than rote memorization, as I am an engineering major, after all. But the students here are all very motivated and I haven't met one who seems to be lazy, given that this is one of Korea's top universities; the students here are very much "work hard, play hard"- even more so than GW, which has a similar reputation.
Another thing that makes Korea very distinct is the couple culture- its very common to see couples walking around, wearing matching clothes, backpacks, shoes, rings, anything can be made into a couple item. Special couple sets when eating out, couple sales at clothing stores- I sometimes feel that Korea's economy is based off of couples. PDA isn't much of a thing here, which is nice, as those kissing in public are scorned at, but hand holding is super common and is probably the most surefire way to identify a couple.
It seems like everybody and their neighbor are dating, especially as spring is on its way and the weather begins to warm up. Sometimes it's hard to not feel lonely, and I wish that I could also date, since it feels like such a quintessential part of really experiencing Korea in its entirety. But it's really interesting to just observe the dynamic, since it seems so unusual to have such a large percentage of couples always visible.
I hope that this was a little insightful to some daily student culture in Korea~ as the cherry blossoms bloom in the coming weeks, it really is becoming spring in Korea and my experience here is blossoming as well, as I continue to learn and enjoy Seoul for all it is.