VOICES
The ACE Program Batch 3
GLAP
Ms. Risako Hida
Reflections on Studying Abroad at Peking University and Seoul National University
University Life
At Seoul National University, I belonged to the College of Liberal Studies and deepened my specialized studies in music alongside Korean language courses. In Ethnomusicology class, I learned the fundamentals of music, concert analysis and fieldwork. In Music in the World class, which covered folk music from around the world, I examined the role of music in diverse cultures. For extracurricular activities, I participated in the “SNU Buddy” program with many international students. This program, with approximately 400 members, centered on small groups consisting of one Korean student and three to four international students. It featured active lunch gatherings, events, and weekend cultural exchanges. Participating in the SNU Festival in April, a Taekwondo event, and MT (Membership training) allowed me to form deep connections with peers of different nationalities and languages, creating irreplaceable friendships.
Daily Life
My residence was a single-room apartment located a 4-minute walk from Seoul National University Station on the subway. Fully furnished with appliances, it was compact yet comfortable. I could reach the university via public buses or the university's free shuttle bus. On campus, multiple student cafeterias offered nutritionally balanced meals at reasonable prices. The apartment's surroundings were convenient, with restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets nearby. The public transportation system is well-developed, and on holidays, I used subways and buses to visit various neighborhoods. During my stay, I also experienced the presidential election. Through media coverage, street speeches, and participation levels in demonstrations, I felt the high level of public interest in politics. There were many points to learn from their social approaches, different from Japan's, such as designating election day as a national holiday and election coverage designed to engage young people.
Reflections on Studying Abroad at Peking University and Seoul National University
Studying abroad in both China and South Korea—countries deeply connected to Japan—through the ACE Program provided a multifaceted opportunity to consider society, culture, politics, and human interactions. This experience has become a significant asset in my life. While sharing many cultural and historical commonalities, I experienced distinct differences in educational systems, student attitudes, social structures, approaches to history and politics, and national character through firsthand experience.
My time at Seoul, in particular, was culturally similar to Japan, making daily life relatively easy to adapt to. However, I was profoundly inspired by the heightened awareness within society and among individual students. While interest in Korean culture is growing in Japan due to the popularity of K-POP and K-content, interest in Japanese culture is extremely high in Korea as well. Many young people learn Japanese through anime and J-POP, deepening their understanding of Japan. As a Japanese person, this was very heartening, and I believed that the accumulation of mutual understanding is the key to positively developing relations between our two countries.
On the other hand, I also strongly sensed that the information spreading through SNS and media often differs significantly from the actual impressions on the ground. Before traveling, I had anxieties about Japan-China and Japan-Korea relations and historical issues. Even during my studies, I frequently encountered misinformation and biased views within China and South Korea. However, interacting with people locally made me keenly aware of how superficial those preconceptions were. The reality on the ground was entirely different from what I'd gathered online. Both countries showed Japan much to learn, treating Japanese people warmly and demonstrating genuine understanding and interest in Japanese culture. These experiences taught me the importance of not relying solely on online information, but of going to the actual places and interacting directly with people. It was a moment when I truly felt the saying “Seeing is believing.”
Furthermore, what impressed me most during my studies abroad was the local students' sincere attitude toward their studies and their high level of initiative. Their eagerness to explore the world, their relentless efforts to gain experience and improve their skills, their willingness to take on challenges, and their drive to contribute to society offered crucial insights for me moving forward. While I had often approached things relatively passively before, this experience made me strongly desire to become someone who sets goals, takes action, and creates change. I intend to continue striving to promote understanding across nations and cultures and contribute to building a better international society.