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Hello,
My name is Brock and I am currently going to University in North Dakota to study English, and hopefully to teach ELL (English as a Learned Language). This coming spring semester, I am hopefully going (not all is final) to Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea. I have searched around on the internet for things, and also searched on TL, and could only find a bunch of pictures by NeverGG, but I was wondering.. has anyone else studied at this university? My main focus at the time for when I go to this school is definitely academics and to see a new lifestyle, and maybe a little StarCraft mixed in lol, but I was wondering what are some cool things around, or if you have any tips for me, or any general things I should know for when I do go there. Please give me any feedback or information, or ask any questions or whatever, because I am more than welcome to talk to anybody about it or whatever.
Thanks. 
 
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Konkuk has a pretty lively nightlife(for Korean standards), although I don't know much about it since I've only been there once. There's a subway station directly by the school, making it easy to navigate.
Academic-wise, the school is pretty good(the Seoul campus, not the Chungju one), somewhere in 1xth place among the forty-something schools in Seoul.
I guess that's all I know...
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Anything helps, thanks. I guess I don't know what Korean nightlife is like, but that's always a plus, because I always go to the bars and stuff around here. I was planning on going to Seoul National University, but they're program was only during the fall, and it didn't fit my schedule. Thanks.
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North Dakota to South Korea? jesus that'll be a culture shock.
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On August 11 2011 07:35 HelloSon wrote:
North Dakota to South Korea? jesus that'll be a culture shock.
haha yeah. There I've talked to a decent amount of South Koreans that go to school here and I used to live in a bigger city, so I'm hoping it won't be too bad. xD
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
That's probably because I live right by there.
I've only been inside some of the smaller buildings, but it looks like a decent place to study. The main campus is located in a really good area right next to Star City and the subway station. You'll be able to find cheap (and good) food, shops, a cinema (inside Star City along with a massive E-mart supermarket) loads of PC/multi and noraebangs, cat/dog cafes, and cheap housing (if you're not having that organized by the uni for you.) I like living there because even if you go 10 minutes walk away from the uni you're in a rather quiet neighbourhood. Plus you're located on the most convinient subway line.
There's also a lovely park with a zoo (Children's Grand Park.) only 10 mins walk away from the main campus. Ttukseom resort is also really close (a couple of subway stops.) so you can check out the river with its boat cruises, rock climbing walls etc.
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3861 Posts
Heh, Neggy nailed it on the head. I live near Ttukseom resort and it's actually walkable - 1 subway stop if you want to actually bother taking the subway. You can go to the Han river from there. Konkuk area has restaurants and bars but no clubs.
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Yeah for sure. Personally, I'm mostly looking to engulf myself in the Korean culture, because it's something totally different then what I'm used to. Even though I'm sure I will experience the nightlife a good amount of times, I can do that here in the US anytime I want. Do any of you know how far the GOM studios are from the Konkuk area? Or is there anything in Seoul that I HAVE to see? Once again, thanks for your twos input.
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It's probably about an hour or so. Maybe a little bit more. The GOM studio where most of the matches are held is to the west, at mokdong (purple line 5). It's pretty simple to get to though, take the great line counterclockwise (or westbound from where you are), and then change to line 5 at the stop after dangsan/before mullae (dont remember the name). From the subway stop its only like a <5 minute walk too. More detailed directions on the GOM site though.
tbh, I feel like there's not all that much that is MUST SEE in terms of places. Check out the different shopping districts (Insadong, Myungdong, Dongdaemun, Namdaemun off the top of my head), although there will probably be a good number of shops just around your university. But really, Seoul just has a lot of the same stuff haha. Most of everything can be found in any major area.
It's more about the things you do. Eat at a Korean BBQ restaurant at LEAST once, if not whenever you can afford it hehe. Eat ddukbbokki (no idea how to romanize that), try some kimbap (plus it's cheap), all the different kinds of noodles and all that good stuff... Try the different foods in general. Try going to a PC Bang (definitely with friends) even if you have your own gear, attend ALL MAJOR BW/SC2 EVENTS if you can, and go to all the matches if you want more chances to get ESPORTS swag.
If you're interested in Korean traditional culture/history, you can go to those places like the palace and stuff too, but I'm pretty meh toward those  .
That's my impression of Korea anyway =p. Other than SC events and KPop concerts, there's nothing I've really heard about that I'm like OMGOMGOMOGMGOMG.
Oh, and meet up with TLers while you're here! It's fun meeting people, and almost everyone I've met I've liked + met up with again. I'll probably be gone by the time you're here, but there are always TLers in Korea ;p.
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Pretty sure you would be the biggest dude with the deepest voice in all of korea.
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EPT
