Recently, a Peacock strutted through the lecture halls of Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea – not a male pavo with an extravagant eye-spotted tail from the pheasant family, but a Peacock from the Saint Peter’s University community.
Samuel Habib ’12, who recently graduated with a bachelor of science in international business and trade, is the first student from Saint Peter’s to participate in the study abroad exchange program between the University and Sogang since the partnership was formed between both institutions in 2010.
“I have a great passion for traveling and [experiencing] different cultures,” said Habib. “When I did some research about South Korea and Sogang, I found myself very interested to experience a much larger university than Saint Peter’s.”
Sogang University is one of the leading research and liberal arts universities in Seoul, South Korea. It was established in 1960 by the Society of Jesus to provide an education based on Catholic beliefs, as well as Jesuit educational philosophy. Sogang accepts undergraduate and graduate students from colleges and universities where there is a joint academic student exchange agreement. Currently, Sogang has agreements with over 227 partner universities in 54 countries, including many Jesuit universities like Saint Peter’s.
Habib arrived at Sogang on February 27 and spent the next five months – the final semester of his undergraduate career – taking courses in international business, psychology, production and operations management, political science, English fiction and chemistry.
“I was actually the only exchange student taking that many courses,” he said. “It was very difficult to maintain because many of the classes required you to read a massive amount of material daily. I was taking 18 credits.”
While Habib’s days were spent in the classroom, during his free time in the evening – when not studying for class or a big test – he would explore the city of Seoul with a group of friends he made at the program.
“I made friends from France, Poland, Brazil, Colombia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Japan and Mexico,” he said. “Now I have friends internationally and will always be welcomed in nine different countries, and my mind has a better understanding of life outside of the United States.”
In addition to the educational experience he had at Sogang, Habib’s time abroad also afforded him the opportunity to become immersed in the rich culture of South Korea, which he described as “a very magical place to live in and experience.”
“Not only are the people very hospitable, but you feel like you have become one of them after indulging yourself in the culture and traditions,” he said.
Yet, Habib soon learned how different those cultures and traditions were when compared to the United States.
“The first culture shock I had in Korea was when I was picked up from the airport by a student from Sogang,” he said. “Her name was Soyoung and she asked for my age, so I told her I was 21. She said, ‘No, you are 23.’ I was actually arguing with her about how old I was, which was really funny.”
He added, “It turns out that in Korea, you gain two years in age. The explanation is that when you are born, you are nine months old – not zero – and if your birthday is six months away, you automatically gain the year before your birthday even arrives.”
For Habib, the cultural lessons continued.
“It is a custom for Koreans to pour drinks for their guests, so do not even think about pouring your own drink or you will get yelled at,” he said. “I also highly suggest you never let your cup be empty. Otherwise, they will fill it back up and the process continues.”
After many months in Seoul, Habib became accustomed to the ways of life in South Korea. The practices he learned traveled back with him to Jersey City, even if perhaps unintentionally. Such was the case with the Korean custom of bowing to an individual as a means of thanking them.
“When I returned home, I was actually bowing to people since I got used to it in Korea,” Habib recalled.
Habib describes his experiences in South Korea as “unforgettable,” but relayed that there is truly no place like the scholarly homestead on the Boulevard known as Saint Peter’s.
Habib will continue his studies at the University in March 2013, pursuing a master of business administration with a concentration on international business.
“In Sogang, there are about 90 to 110 students per class,” Habib said. “So you are basically just a number. Saint Peter’s offers a small classroom experience. I feel that professors at the University care for you and you are not just a number.”
Samuel Habib ’12 (far right) made many new friends while studying abroad at Sogang University.
Habib participates in games during the Sogang University school festival.