SNU International Summer Institute

I’m taking two courses at Seoul National University this summer — “Economic Geography” and “Understanding East Asia through the Prism of Disputes”. Respectively, they’re taught by an American expat with extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of economics, policy, geography, and statistics, and a Korean SNU law professor (SNU’s School of Law is widely renowned) who is quite insightful and enthusiastic when it comes to matters regarding international politics, social policy, and history. Classes are three hours each, but only held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, leaving ample time for us to get out, have fun, experience the culture, and explore the city. That said, the subject matter has completely and successfully captured my interest. This, combined with the quality of the teaching, and the rather laid-back feel to this summer session in Seoul, has produced an avid leaner out of me, despite it being summer (with its usual connotation of sitting-with-your-toes-in-the-water, ass-in-the-sand for three months out of the year).