국제교류처

KANGWON NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Q1. What do you consider your biggest challenges while living in Korea?

The biggest challenges for me have been the longing for my family and dietary restrictions due to my religion. Although I expected these challenges before coming to Korea, living apart from my family for three years has made me feel this longing even more deeply. To cope with this, I make sure to stay in contact with my family every day, no matter how busy I am. This daily connection helps me maintain a healthy balance in my life.

As a Muslim, it is also important for me to eat halal food. In the beginning, it was difficult to adjust, but over time I learned to cook for myself and found ways to adapt. Thanks to this, daily life in Korea has become much more comfortable, and I no longer see this as a major obstacle.

Q2. Could you tell us what kind of place or meaning KNU holds in your life?

To me, Kangwon National University represents both a significant investment in my future and a truly special place. This university has given me valuable knowledge, opportunities, and experiences. I even consider it my second family in Korea, as I have spent the past three years here with a strong sense of belonging. When the time comes for me to graduate, I know I will feel very sad to leave. Nevertheless, when I achieve success in the future, I will proudly share that Kangwon National University played an important role in my journey.

Q3.   What is your goal, or what would you like to achieve this year, hopefully?

As graduation approaches, my goal this year is to prepare more systematically for the future. I am currently able to communicate in almost five languages, and this year I plan to further strengthen these skills. I also intend to retake the TOPIK exam to renew my score and achieve my desired result in IELTS in the near future.

Beyond academics, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through consistent exercise is also one of my priorities. No matter how busy I am, I believe that balancing my health with my studies will allow me to achieve both my academic and personal goals.

Q4. What advice would you give to students who are interested in studying in Korea? 

The first and most important advice I would give is to learn the language of the country before studying abroad. Of course, English is a global language and can be helpful, but knowing the local language provides much greater advantages.

Second, I would recommend learning about the culture of the host country. Adapting to a new environment becomes much easier when you are familiar with its traditions and daily life.

Finally, for those planning to study in Korea, it is important to learn in advance about the teaching and evaluation systems at Korean universities. Personally, this was something I found challenging in the beginning, and I believe that future students who prepare for it will adapt much more smoothly.

Q5. What new habits or hobbies have you developed while staying in Korea?      

At first, living away from my family made it difficult to adjust, and I often felt stressed. Over time, however, I discovered a new hobby—sports. Currently, I regularly go to the gym and swimming pool at the Baekryeong Sports Center on campus. Exercise has become an essential part of my life, reducing fatigue and giving me more energy to focus on my studies and interests.

I am truly grateful that our university provides such excellent facilities and opportunities for students, as they have had a very positive impact on my life.

Q6. Did you have any meaningful or fun experiences observing the cultural differences between Korea and Uzbekistan? 

Yes, one of the most interesting differences I experienced was the concept of time. In Uzbekistan, being a little late to a gathering is often acceptable. However, in Korea, I noticed that everyone arrives exactly on time, which surprised me at first. Since then, I have also become more punctual and now value time commitments much more strictly.