Languages and cultures of East Asia, Master 1 subject

What made you choose this degree programme?

My interest in Korean culture began with music - I wanted to understand what the singers were singing. This sparked a deeper interest in the language and culture, which eventually led me to travel to Korea. My impressions there strengthened my enthusiasm and awakened my desire to study the language, country and people more intensively. As I was also very interested in Japanese, the ‘Languages and Cultures of East Asia’ degree programme was perfect for me. Here I can learn both Korean and Japanese at the same time, which combines my passion for both languages perfectly.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

My expectations have mostly been met so far. Although the workload is challenging at the beginning and requires some getting used to, you quickly find your own rhythm in everyday study life. The daily repetition of vocabulary and grammar is simply part of it - it's crucial for staying on track. Learning the Hanja, i.e. the Chinese characters, is particularly demanding. This requires perseverance and a good amount of discipline - but that's exactly what makes studying so exciting.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

I enjoy the language courses the most. The lessons are very interactive and the lecturers actively involve us in the learning process. The topics covered are not only relevant to everyday life, but also encourage us to apply what we have learnt directly. This makes the lessons particularly exciting and motivating for me. One highlight for me was that I was able to directly apply what I had learnt so far during a holiday in Korea. I was able to communicate there, which not only showed me how far I had already come, but also gave me confidence for my further learning progress. 

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

The biggest challenges are the Hanja and the weekly workload of vocabulary and grammar. The constant repetition requires a lot of discipline and good organisation in order to keep up and make progress.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

At the end of my studies, I would like to speak both Korean and Japanese practically fluently and be able to use both languages actively in my everyday work. Therefore, a job in a Korean company would be the ideal step for me to achieve my goal and fully utilise my language skills.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

It's important not to give up, to keep going and to discipline yourself. Otherwise, you will quickly be left behind. Even if it is difficult at times, you should always give it your all. Because in the end it's worth it - the language is really fun and the progress is very motivating.