Visit Universities in Korea (Part 1)

A few days ago I had a chance to visit New York with my family. But I was assigned a full day to tour around Manhattan New York alone. After I knew that I had to tour around Manhattan alone the first thing that I thought was to tour Columbia and NYU the best schools in New York. So after I came to Korea, I tried to stand in a position same as the tourists of Seoul. As a result, I decided to introduce how to tour the top universities in Seoul (서울). I am going to introduce several universities you have to come in Seoul. Some are related to the school rakings and some are selected for the aesthetic campus but the order I am going to introduce is not the order of the ranking of universities so do not get upset about the order I am introducing.

I will introduce a total of 7 schools in total that I have been to Seoul National University (서울대학교; SNU), Yonsei (연세대학교), Hanyang (한양대학교), Sungkyunkwan (성균관대학교), Kyunghee (경희대학교), Konkuk (건국대학교), and Hongik (홍익대학교). Today I am going to introduce two universities to look around and to hang out with friends.

SNU Seoul National University (서울대학교) (main campus at Gwanak (관악)) (pic1)

SNU is clearly the best school in many areas the Wikipedia explains SNU like this.

“Seoul National university is a national research university located in Seoul, South Korea, and was founded in 1946. Seoul National University is widely considered to be the most prestigious university in the country. ‘Some people can thing the history of SNU is quite short compared with the reputation as the best school of Korea. Actually the history is longer than stated above. The stated 1946 is the next year of 1945 which is the independence day of Korea from Japan. Now days SNU uses the 1946 year of foundation to avoid criticism about pro-Japanese tendency.”

Inside SNU you have to see the central library. When I was preparing for the entrance exam I always thought of myself studying in the main library called Guwangung. People who are not the students cannot enter inside the library but looking outside the library also makes people astonished. I have been inside because of my friend. Looking around the inside of the main Library was really cool and the size overwhelms students that are not from SNU.

There is a small lake inside the university. The lake makes the campus more romantic for the couples. Near the lake you could see some cafés and you have to know that these cafés sell a famous waffle. It is nothing different with an original waffle but the price is very cheap.

Source: http://sollos.tistory.com/490

Source: http://disq.us/t/1fckgqq

Outside SNU there are plenty of places to eat and accommodate. The place near SNU is called Sharosu-gil (샤로수길) and this place is emerging as a hot place in Seoul.

This place was a Indian restaurant called Ganesa (가네샤) that I ate with my friends. The price was very cheap compared to other Indian restaurants that I have been to. The taste was better than I expected. Except this restaurant I will introduce a few more restaurants I can introduce. This place called Jigudang (지구당) serves Japanese traditional home meal but only has one beef meal. The most interesting part is no more than three people are not allowed to enter as a company. Also even if two people as a company enters and talk loudly the manager will give you attention. The taste is as I expected and the mood was so quiet. It will be a nice experience.

Source: Google Maps

Source: http://blog.naver.com/ki__chin/220571085703

Source: Google Maps

HYU Hanyang University (한양대학교) (main campus at Seoul)

Source: Google Maps

Source: Google Maps

Source: http://karis51.blog.me/80122829749

Well coming to Hanyang University is not a compulsory course for a busy tourist but it is not a bad opportunity to look around this place. Looking around Hanyang University will make you feeling different with the other Universities. Wikipedia introduces Hanyang like this. ‘Hanyang University is one of the leading private research universities of South Korea, especially in the field of engineering. The university was established as an engineering institute (Dong-A Engineering Institute (동아공과대학)) in 1939, and became the founding facility of Hanyang University with its motto and educational philosophy of Love in Deed and Truth.’ It really feels like an institute of science. But Hanyang University is University not a college of just technology.

Source: blog.daum.net/sfeelbug/8611613

Inside the campus I recommend looking around the Chung Mong-koo Automotive Research Center (정몽구 미래자동차연구센터) which is the latest built building in the campus. Sometimes there small test cars driving around the campus. This makes our school more like a college of engineering. After looking around the Automotive Research Center there is a hiking course just follow the instructed course and you will see great views around our school.

(pic 14) The best place I like to go to eat at Wangsimni (왕십리) is Matna Bunsik (맛나 분식). I first knew this place because of the club get together. Many clubs do their get together here because of the price and the opportunity to eat pork belly. The taste is also very ideal for me so I became a frequenter. Every time I want to eat pork belly I always recommend this place.

There is also another place where you can enjoy sushi in an affordable price and a good quality. Cheongchun Sushi (청춘초밥) is a nice place to eat sushi. It only costs about 10,000 Won for a sushi meal. I don’t doubt that this place is the best place to eat sushi at an affordable price.