The Grad School Chapter I’ll Always Remember

1.      Please introduce yourself (background, interests, your MBTI, and so on)

Hi!! My name is Fernandez Carolina Belen, and I’m from Argentina. I’m currently in my last semester at Sogang GSIS, majoring in International Relations with a minor in Korea and East Asia. I’m also a member of the Student Council, which has been one of the most meaningful ways for me to connect with the GSIS community (so I highly recommend joining if you're interested).

Before coming to Korea, I studied a completely different field, but I had always been interested in diplomacy, politics, and international affairs. That interest kept growing over time and eventually led me to pursue a path that aligned more closely with my passions.

I first came to Korea in 2019 as an exchange student and had such a positive experience (both academically and personally) that I knew I wanted to return for graduate school. I’ve always had a curious mind, and living abroad has only made that curiosity stronger.

As for my MBTI, I’m an ISFP… supposedly!! To be honest, I had never even heard of MBTI until I came to Korea, since it’s not really a thing in my country. Whether or not it’s accurate, I still find it interesting how much it comes up in everyday conversation here.

2.      Can you tell us the reason why you chose to study at Sogang GSIS?

I actually applied to three graduate schools in Korea, but Sogang was my first choice, and looking back, I’m really glad it worked out. What initially drew me to Sogang GSIS was the way the International Relations program was structured and the content it offered. When I looked at the curriculum, I found that many of the courses matched my academic interests, especially those focused on East Asia, inter-Korean relations, and regional security. Another reason was the size of the program. I didn’t want to be in massive lecture halls where it’s easy to feel like just another face in the crowd. At Sogang, the smaller class sizes allow for more interaction with both professors and classmates. I also really appreciated that the entire program is taught in English, which opens it up to international students like me. And of course, Sogang’s location in the heart of Seoul is a huge plus.

3.     How do you usually spend your spare time in Korea?

Honestly, Korea has changed how I spend my free time!! Back home, I was more of a homebody, but here, I’m often out and about. I’ve gotten used to doing “solo activities” in Korea, like visiting museums, going to themed cafes (there are so many to choose from), or even going to the cinema alone. It feels totally normal here, and it’s actually one of the ways I recharge. I also enjoy taking short day trips outside of Seoul whenever I need a break from the city. And since I’m a K-pop fan, I like to go to anything related (pop-ups, exhibitions, concerts, you name it). There’s always something happening!!