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1. DUO-Korea Identification Number: DK2006-44
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2. Home Institution (Country): Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania)
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3. Host Institution (Country): Kyung Hee University (Korea)
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4. Exchange Period: 2006 09 01 – 2006 12 30
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5. Major: International Business Administration
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6. Name: Justina Peciokaite
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Classes taken in host institution, progress and accomplishment (result)
In Graduate School of Pan-Pacific International Studies (GSP, Kyung Hee University) I took five courses: International Marketing, Corporate Finance, Theory and Practice of Negotiation, American Foreign Policy and Internationalization Workshop II.
I chose the course of International Marketing because it is related to my major very much. In these classes I could get to know more about markets of East Asia, specially Korean and Chinese markets, because all my group mates were Korean and Chinese students. Also I had a good chance to share my knowledge about European companies, markets and customer habits. My result of this course is 93.
Corporate Finance was very useful to me because this is the field of my professional interest. The topics about budgeting and capital structure are related to my thesis, so at the same time I could prepare for the classes, exams and for writing my master thesis. The final result is 93.
I chose the course of Theory and Practice of Negotiation because of my personal interest. Even this course is not related to my major directly I think the knowledge I got and materials I read will be useful in my future career. I learnt how to deal with people in different situations easier, how to stay self confident in difficult situation and not to let be fooled by aggressive and tricky negotiators. This course was very new and most exciting from all I courses I chose in GSP. My result is 92.
American Foreign Policy was the hardest course for me. Because I have no background in politics or foreign affairs I had to study a lot in order I could understand materials and prepare for the exams. Now I have clearer understanding why U.S. are so influential in the stage of world politics. My result of this course is 95.
Internationalization Workshop II was compulsory course for all exchange students. There were different presentations done by professors, consuls, businessmen and other professionals. Most useful and interesting
presentations for me were about Chilean wine industry, Korean air forces and aircrafts, Korean movie industry, nuclear weapons and relationships between North and South Korea. I have passed this course.
All professors who taught me got PhD in U.S. universities so their English was fluent. Also they themselves had experience in doing business in Korea, China, Europe, U.S. and could share their practical knowledge relating it with theoretical aspects.
Off-Campus Activities (e.g. extracurricular or community activities)
Most memorable trip organized by university was to Everland amusement park. We had a lot of fun trying different carousels, spending all day together with other students, and we could get to know each other better.
We had good possibility to find something new about Korean culture in the centre of Korean Culture. There we learn to greet in Korean, to bow, to wear Korean traditional costumes, to drink tea, to make Korean snacks and to play traditional game.
Many activities we – international students - organized by ourselves. I could familiarize with Korean traditional architecture because in Suwon I have visited Hwasong fortress, and in Seoul I have visited Deok Su Gung palace. Also my Korean friends brought me to Suwon Folk Village where I could see Korean traditional buildings, different utensils used in villages many years ago. In places I’ve mentioned I could enjoy the parades of traditionally dressed people acting as soldiers, to see how moviemakers are shooting old movies in environment of the Folk Village.
In Seoul I have visited old town which was crowded of locals and many tourists on Christmas period. In Insadong I could buy many souvenirs and presents to my family and friends, watch people preparing Korean traditional rice cakes, to have good rice tea, or just enjoy watching Korean jewellery, pictures, and other pieces of art.
In Yeouido Island – “Seoul Manhattan” – I have visited the tallest building in Korea - 63 building and saw many other buildings where the offices of well-known companies are established. Also I have visited biggest bookstore in Korea, I did a lot of shopping in unquestioned paradise for shoppers - Dongdaemun market.
Also I had uncommon possibility to meet the Honorary Consul of Lithuania. He showed me Namsan Mountain where I could enjoy the panorama of Seoul city through the windows of Seoul Tower.
But the most catching place for me in Seoul was the bank of Han River where Koreans and tourists come to have an eyeful of fountains, to take pictures and to refresh, especially on hot summer days.
In Korea I had a unique chance to enjoy amazing landscapes. I admired autumnal Kwang Gyo Mountain near Suwon and windy shores of Western Sea.
I with other students have organized couple weekend trips for us.
The first one was to Sokcho city and Seorak-san National Park. I could prove my strengths in hiking, and when I reached the cave with the statue of Buda I could enjoy the wonderful view of mountains from above. Of course I had a nice walk in the centre of the city, had good food and swam in the Eastern Sea even the temperature of the sea was only ~+18 degrees (it was October).
Another trip I had with my friends was to Busan. There I was charmed by the beauty of the beaches and how the city is built in a harmony with nature. I had a walk along amazing cliffy seashores, had a drive over Busan Bridge. Also I have visited Busan piscatorial harbour where I saw many people working: taking fish from toils, emboweling it, preparing squids and octopus for sale. And of course I was amazed by Jagalchi fish market. I never saw such a big variety of different kind of sea food in one place. Also in Busan I have visited beautiful temple built on the cliffy seashore but it was too much crowded by tourists.
Very often in Suwon after lessons I with other students went to different restaurants to try Korean food. I got used to spicy dishes and come to like traditional kimchi. I liked beef soup, fried meat (sometimes with traditional drink Soju or fruit wines), rice cake and sweet cold rice drink. For breakfast usually I had gimbab or bibimbab. But my favourite food was homemade noodles with sea food. Just for interest I tried dried octopus and soup of dog meat. Also my new friends in Korea presented me Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Uzbek and Chinese food.
Another entertainment for me was music (my Korean friends brought me to the concert of Suwon Christian Men Choir, and to the concert in on of the Christian churches in Suwon), night clubs, pubs and Noraebang. In Suwon we had favourite G club and Now bar where we could meet more international students and professors from different countries (U.S., Australia, Ireland, U.K., etc). In Seoul we went to NB club in Gangnam where also majority of people coming were foreigners. But the most exciting entertainment for me was Noraebang – Korean karaoke. In my opinion, it is the best place to have funny parties with friends in Korea.
Things learned from exchange experience (with anecdote)
First of all, I gained knowledge about Korean, Chinese and other markets which is useful in my study field. The professors who thought me there are very experienced, having their own business and tried to give us clearer understanding about how the markets operate. For me as a student from less developed country then Korea it was a great incentive to take interest in how Korean economy became so well developed and to bring some ideas to my country and company I work in.
Also I could improve my English skills. Because in the classes I had many presentations to prepare I improved my speaking and presenting skills. Also for my own interest I took Russian course and could refresh my knowledge of this language.
Because it was my first visit to Eastern Asia I was a little bit worried how I will be able to adapt to the life with people from very different cultures and societies.
But it was not so difficult to make friends with Korean students. I chose the right way to get to know them better. Usually after classes I was staying in the faculty to study till the late night. Then I could follow the living of ordinary Korean students. I became closer to Korean (and also Chinese) students because of studying together, chatting, and having coffee with them.
I found these people very hard working, responsible and precise. There is a big competition in labour market and they feel sort of pressure to study more, to get diplomas as soon as possible, to get jobs that they could start their independent life. Very surprising thing for me was that even Korean students have to study a lot and compete hardly in the labour market they remain good friends to their group mates, help each other in their studies, and share any useful study information they have. I guess it is also the influence of collectivism which is common in Korean society.
Being from society where individualistic elements are more usual I really enjoyed following different habits: studying together, doing more group works, even sharing the same dishes and drinks in restaurants. I liked tradition to have dinner with professors and group mates after exam session.
“Don’t lose your face” – this rule I’ve heard before coming to Korea. But there I realised myself that Koreans stay calm and controlled in any unpleasant or stressful situation, are patient, never show if they are in a huff.
A big pleasure for me was also gathering with students from Middle Asian countries, South America and Africa. We had serious conversations about economics, politics, social problems, religions, etc in our countries. We could share our personal experience. Meeting people from these regions I got broader understanding about problems they face and good things they have.
I even learnt to cook Bangladeshi snacks and participated in Bangladeshi cultural show in our department (I demonstrated national costume of Bangladesh). Also I broadened my knowledge about music. I already have my favourite Korean pop band - Big Mama and a singer - Si Kyung Sung.
In turn I could introduce my country to people I met. I felt as I am sort of ambassador of Lithuania because many students heard about my country first time in their life and were very curious and I could answer to all their questions with a big pleasure.
Advice to future exchange student fellows
The most important thing is to be able to manage studies and activities in Korea. Studies in Kyung Hee University were very hard; it took a lot of time to do all assignments and to prepare for exams. But at the same time it is the best place to meet people from four or five different continents and to get unique chance to get to know different cultures, religions, opinions better.
I could advice to future student fellows to be in contacts with Korean students – they are extremely busy but also very lovely, friendly and sometimes shy people. They could help you to make yourself understood in restaurants, shops, institutions on the first days, to get discounts in markets till you’ll learn something in the courses of Korean language, because it’s not always easy to find someone talking in English, even in banks or post-office.
Also many Korean students are from second largest city– Busan - and they are very helpful in organizing trips to the southern part of Korea.
It may seem very strange but it is usual in Korea to ask the age on the first meeting. Then Koreans know how to call new friend: elder sister/brother or younger sister/brother or just name if person is of the same age. It is very important to respect elders in Korea. And juniors respect their seniors in university, and do they best if elder students asks for some favour.
As I realized Koreans may be late to the meeting. Sometimes students come to the class later professors. To be late 20 minutes is almost a rule, even being late 40 minutes my Korean friends were not very sorry about. This habit is very different for example from Chinese who are not late even a single minute.
Another strange thing for me was separated dormitories for girls and boys. And there were no special place to meet in the evenings. It’s almost impossible to ask friends of different sex to come to watch movies, to cook together, etc. It is compulsory to get permission to come to another dormitory even for doing group assignments. So the only one decision was to study together in the faculty; and to gather together somewhere outside dormitory, in cafes or restaurants.
Keep on smiling and you’ll discover wonderful country and hospitable atmosphere in Kyung Hee University! | 
