[aznpoo]

I am having doubts in myself, I've quitted my japanese lesson after watching some k-drama, and all of a sudden my passion to study abroad over japan has been replace with Korea.lol
I've try taking some korean classes, but hangeul seem to be more challenging due to it's prounciation. My plan before I travel abroad is to get rid of my core courses and study abroad over in Japan or korea, but i'm wondering which country would you think it would be more enjoyable? I'm wondering if I were to move to korea with no basic korean lanaguage skills, will it magically come to me sooner or later? My parents are somewhat oppose to this idea after I've told them that partially, k-drama has something to do with it. I don't know but it would be amazing if my life turn out to be a k-drama, for example: Donating an eyeball to the person I love, who have been blinded becuase I accidently pour bleach over her eyes. (arn't it romantic?)

Well back to the point, who ever thought about studying abroad over korea/Japan what was you're motivation or motive? I have to admit, mine is the pretty asians.
and those that study abroad already what was you're experience?

[Tamago86]

Everyone has different motivations to study abroad, alot of people who are interested in Korea like k-drama, alot of people who are interested in Japan like anime, but Korea isn't a living k-drama and Japan isn't full of kinky big boobed schoolgirls (well except for harajuku). Alot of times people with these motivations go to the country, find something else that interests them there and pursue that, which is fine too. Language doesn't magically come to someone, especially when it's a language so different from English like Korean or Japanese.
Overall I think your experience in the country you choose to go to is going to depend on how open of a mind you have and what you're looking to get out of your trip, as long as you go for realistic reasons I'm sure you'll enjoy whichever country you choose, both have their fair share of pretty asians so good luck deciding.

[FTI&CNB]

wow when i read what your wrote, i was seeing another me. i feel the same way. Im majoring in japanese but then after watching so many korean stuff, i only focus on korean and didnt pay attention in japanese. Japanese is really hard for me though, I taught myself how to read and write korean though. I really want to study abroad like you too.
im just loving korean culture. :]

[wishstarsnk]

wow i am actually dinking of studying abroad n duno which one between two countries S korea and Hong Kong..
i guess just give one a try first there are many chances for u to go to both places hahhaha

[chunsa]

I'm wondering if I were to move to korea with no basic korean lanaguage skills, will it magically come to me sooner or later?

depends on how old you are...

if you're older of course it'll be harder. it's not going to magically come to you.
it might even take many years. but it all depends on how quick you are able to learn.
you should take langugage courses when you get there...
my parents have been living in the US for like 20+ years but they still aren't fluent-fluent with english and have thick accent...
it's b/c korean is nothing like english and vice versa, so it's a lot harder for people to learn.

if youre still young..it can be easier for you to catch on to the language if you move there,
especilly if you are an outgoing type and can make korean speaking friends~

and koreans as a nation are picky when it comes to their language. they really emphasize thier citizens to speak fluently... i think it's a cultural pride thing~ *i think*

[chocomocha]

wow.. dats wot happens when u watch too much romantic dramas.. u .. want to live that live.. but ur determined!

[`LANE]

i'm actually thinking of studyiing abroad as well but aish.. the two countries O.O --> T.T i don't know which to pick.. well i have like a years to go before i'm even in college/univ o.o lol

the motivation?? the people & i guess the fashion scene & music.

[Devman]

yea im in a similar situation, but what i'm going to do is apply to both of the study abroad programs for Japan and Korea. Just in case I dont meet the requirements or something.
Another thing to factor in is the cost, for me its cheaper to study abroad in Korea period. my original university cost is more and going to Japan cost way more. So that might help in my decision.
Since I'm interested in both languages and cultures it's a tough decision, I've taken some formal Korean language courses at a Korean school in Sacramento, but not any Japanese yet. Another thing you could do while studying abroad is join a club for the other country you wanted to go to.

[ms. rachellica]

can't you do one nd then the other? my friend's sister did that. she's majoring into nursing i believe nd she at first studied abroad in turkey and then hungary

[simply_dream]

Oh!!! this is my problem also! at first i was really interested in japan and would like to study there, however later i got into the whole korean wave thing and i find korea a great place to go too, not to mention my korean language skills are WAY better than my japanese skills XD... overall i would like to go to both since both countries are awesome =) so yea i think u should go to both, pick 1 to go to first then you can go to the second 1 later =)

[angelic_diablo]

I once thought about studying in Korea or Japan and yes my motivations were j-drama and k-drama. But then it just occured to me almost nothing in life is similar to drama. Its just so different and now I should know better that I'm majoring in media studies.

Good thing about studying abroad is you get to meet new people, learn new culture and live life differently. I've been studying abroad for 5 years now (3 years in london and 2 in malaysia) and it just changed the way I view things. I'm more open to ideas and I like being around different people. I have friends in every corner of the world. I plan to continue my studies in Australia after this. I would like to go Korea now that I'm even more obsess with k-drama but somehow it's just unrealistic. lol so I'll stick with Aus...

[pprMNTE]

1. Nothing comes to you magically except for talent. Those who are gifted with talent are few and rare.
2. Your reasons for studying abroad in Korea are wrong. Think about your future instead. Which will benefit you more?
3. Life is not a drama. If or when you go to either Korea or Japan, you will find that there are as many ugly asians as pretty asians, and even more average looking asians than you thought about.

My reason for wanting to study abroad in Japan: I'm somewhat familiar with the language already; I've been to Japan twice before (so it won't be as foriegn) and I want to extend my familiarity across the Asian region. I don't want to go to China because it would be too easy and not different enough. Japan is a comfortable challenge.

[chickyl3aby]

well i have a friend who's been to both... she LOVED korean drama... but when she went to korea she said it wasn't anything speical... she liked it japan better...

[x_Dior]

I plan to study abroad in Korea a year or two from now. It wasn't sparked by Korean drama's but by my affection to the culture. Actually, when I do graduate I will be spending at least three years devoted to teaching English in Japan and Korea. Also my major is translations with the ideal hope of one day working in the American embassy stationed in either Korean, Japan, or Hong Kong, with a minor in accounting. So for me, studying abroad not only is benificiary to me, but also looks good on my resume.

I've only been to Japan, to which it's really safe, tons of things to do, the shopping great, and everyone is polite and helpful. I only assume Korea is some what the same, so I've heard from friends.

[Dorothy]

I don't want to go to China because it would be too easy and not different enough.

i wonder your purpose of studying abroad.
i agree with you that the life in the country is not the same as drama.
but i think china is also a good country to study in,because in our china, there are many chances for students .
i think if some foreigners can speak Chinese fluently,it will help u alot in some days in your work.

[nataku_pilot]

I too want to study in South Korea and Japan. I've been lurking for a while and read as many topics pertaining to this.....I think you really need to be interested in the culture (not what's shown on k-dramas) to fully enjoy the experience. Good luck to you.

[HELLnawITSc]

Well, Japan is much more tourist friendly, keep that in mind. I love Korea and always have hELLA fun when I go, but I can't imagine non-Koreans going and having fun. I know a few non-Koreans that went to Korea and had a blast, but I still can't imagine what they would do that owuld be that fun.

[f2ts]

puhaha... that was how i used to think.. but i'm going to a country that have a more forus on my major.. and i think i'll stick to enlish...
learning a new language can become complicate at time...

[ayoboo]

I once thought about studying in Korea or Japan and yes my motivations were j-drama and k-drama. But then it just occured to me almost nothing in life is similar to drama. Its just so different and now I should know better that I'm majoring in media studies.

Good thing about studying abroad is you get to meet new people, learn new culture and live life differently. I've been studying abroad for 5 years now (3 years in london and 2 in malaysia) and it just changed the way I view things. I'm more open to ideas and I like being around different people. I have friends in every corner of the world. I plan to continue my studies in Australia after this. I would like to go Korea now that I'm even more obsess with k-drama but somehow it's just unrealistic. lol so I'll stick with Aus...

that reallyy nicee !! i have a friend who study abroad in many different country, she says it great!!! i also plan on studying aboard in AUS if i get the chance. PLS LET ME KNOW HOW IT IS SUTDYING IN AUS and where u studied ! i've already starting lookin into different universities there. ^^ its my first study aboard place =] korea seems more like a place i would want to settle down for a while once i get to learn the language, not somewherre i would study.

[MaryMagdalin]

i`d suggest korea
there was actually a girl who went to yonsei? the study abroad university
she was at my college and she says most ppl that go there have a very enjoyable time
she was very good at english too O_O for someone who studied english and was only here for a few months