1. What should be prepared for the exchange in Korea?

• 1st, make sure you understand the exchange terms and conditions as well as the school and the area you want to go to, especially whether the school has the field of your major. I have been reading and following this fan page carefully since I decided to do my exchange here. //bit.ly/3jOw4Hu
• 2nd, is applying for a visa a big barrier? Applying for a visa is very important and it takes a lot of time, which is the most difficult process that I went through because I applied in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the visa issuance was quite complicated but that was okay as I was also a first-timer to Korea and it was also my first time going abroad but I still made it to Korea. After receiving a nomination from IU, Konkuk would also email the necessary documents for you to apply for the visa (at this time, it is really important to check your mailbox every day). Please follow the website to receive visa here //www.visaforkorea-hc.com. I went in the middle of the pandemic, so before applying for a visa, I had to go through a medical examination for COVID symptoms to accompany the visa application. I did not know about this, so even though I prepared all the documents in advanced, when I came to apply, initially I was refused. To solve this, I had to go through a medical examination at hospitals they designated (you’d better call the hotline 028-7101-1212 to enquire further information about all the necessary documents). That will save you from wasting your time.
• 3nd, because I choose to stay in the dorm, I have to transfer money before going to the KUL: house (Konkuk dormitory). For this payment, you need to prepare for the followings: air ticket, visa, confirmation letter guaranteeing that you are an exchange student at Konkuk (attached in the file Konkuk sent to apply for a visa). Finally, go to Shinhan bank and follow their instructions.

In addition, there are some notes before your flight such as taking the PCR test, preparing documents to fill in on the plane or some other information you may follow on YouTube about the journey to Korea in the middle of the epidemic season to avoid surprise. To be fully updated, you should watch these videos just before the time of your flight!

2. How was I quarantined in Korea?

I chose to quarantine at a rent Airbnb room instead of at the dorm. I initially chose to be quarantined at the dorm because I did not know the language and were not familiar with the place, this would be more convenient for me, but after serious consideration, I chose to be quarantined at Airbnb for the following reasons:

1. Cost: Quarantine at the dorm would cost 18.5 million VND and the quarantine at the Airbnb 10 million (This is the link to the Airbnb where I quarantine //abnb.me/jhoJ9upvrib �?it took me quite a while to find this place because only this place met the requirements for self-quarantine such as having separate washing machine, bathroom and kitchen, reasonable price and self-quarantine was allowed because I had messaged many places but they did not accept self-quarantine)
2. Space: Quarantine at the dorm would be safer, without having to worry about meals and medical checks. Yet, I’m a person who likes to try new things, so I chose Airbnb and I checked myself with a medical kit box (on the plane they will give you a paper, and you need to fill in the address of the quarantine they will send it to you). I was fortunate to book an isolated place with a very friendly and helpful Airbnb host. The host was afraid that I would have nothing to eat for the first few days, so she bought bread, eggs, milk and left them in front of the door for me. In addition, as I came to Korea during the Lunar New Year, the hostess also cooked mandu (a Korean traditional food on New Year’s Eve) for me and called me out (She was super cute). In addition, Konkuk also sent some information about the popular food ordering app in Korea; thanks to this, a few days later, I could order vegetables from the coupang.
3. School life and relationship

• As I was the only Vietnamese in this exchange program, I thought it would be bored and I was a bit scared at first but it turned out to be okay as Konkuk had an ISV (International student volunteer) contact me before I went to Korea. That person reminded me of the necessary information during the semester. In addition, Konkuk would also create a Kakaotalk group for exchange students so that everyone can get to know each other, and I got a chance to get acquainted with these super lovely friends during the exchange (surprisingly there were 5 Vietnamese ascendants from France, Finland and Germany). So don’t worry about being alone. Unexpected things will always come, just give yourself a chance to experience no matter what the situation may be. If you don’t try, you won’t know.
• Because of the pandemic, when I came to Korea, I had to study and takethe exam online. The question is, was it boring? At first, I was a bit disappointed when I received the news that instead of studying 50% online, 50% on-campus, Konkuk emailed me that I would studied online in the spring semester, but during the process of studying and working in groups, I felt I feel this was a good opportunity for me to experience online learning in Korea as well as online teamwork.

4. What should be considered before the departure?

• The pandemic affected the trip a lot, although there were new and interesting experiences. However, you should be able to take care of yourself when considering the exchange.
• The language barrier was quite a big problem. I recommend that you should at least know how to read the Korean alphabet.
• Everywhere, there are good people and bad people, even in Vietnam. Although making many new friends, expanding relationships is a good thing. You should also update yourself with news about evils in Korea and how to deal with it so that no matter what the situation is, you will always be well prepared!

5. What did I learn from this exchange?

• The first thing I learn is the language. Because there were not too many opportunities to communicate in the mother tongue, using English as well as Korean helped me practice the language quite well.
• This was a big turning point in my university life.Since this is the first time I can study and live in another country, it is such a good experience as well as a good background for my future orientations.
• I feel that the exchange was like a preparation for the future trips abroad. After this, I feel that I become more mature and ready to face difficulties alone. Moreover, this helps me accumulate my life and study experience.

During the process of studying and living in Korea, I have saved a lot of pictures, nice places to eat and hang out as well as  memorable memories on my Instagram @Unidecapoda, so stay tuned for more. Also, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to inbox me at any time!

I hope this article will be useful and may inspire those who intend to go on such exchange programs!

That “pleasant�?prejudice is really not wrong, my friend. A university with a bunch of rich kids who are more sympathetic, eager to learn, more rich in willpower, more rich in the sense of sharing is not yet born.

�?Quang Khanh, Course 2012 �?Department of Civil Engineering

I feel really lucky with my choice to study at IU. After 4 years of university, I have experienced a lot of things; I have more friends and more knowledge as well as experiences. At IU, lectures and staff always provide the best learning and living conditions for students. Or in more detail, lectures are extremely sympathetic and loving to students. In addition, the activities of the Union and the Association as well as the clubs at IU are very active. I am proud to be an IU student!

�?Yen Nhi, Course 2011  �?School of Biotechnology

After 4 years studying at IU, I feels very proud to have made the right decision when applying to IU. This is a school with a lot of equipment, technology and also very modern. IU helps me to develop myself in every aspect of knowledge as well as social skills. Overall, I got to meet and work with teachers who are very friendly and cute. The students are very sociable. We learn together, play together and create the most beautiful memories together at IU. IU will always be my pride.

�?Ngoc Huyen, 2010 Course �?School of Biotechnology

IU creates qualified environment for students for study. In addition to the laboratory and modern facilities, the school also has two additional bus routes to facilitate student travel. During my time at IU, the facilities are not as modern and completed as they are now. The knowledge I have learned from my experience in extracurricular activities has helped me a lot in my current job. Wish you all good luck and be proud of being an IU-er!

�?Minh Dung, 2008 Course �?School of Computer Science and Engineering

IU to me is a big home, a new world that taught me not only lessons of specialized knowledge, but also of humanity, the way of life, and the challenges of life that I must overcome. IU is also the place that helped me to figure out my passion, my dedicated youth and left me many beautiful memories, smiles as well as the regret of a beautiful once-in-a-lifetime youth.

�?Kim Anh, 2011 Course �?School of Biotechnology

Although I am now a graduate student, I still remember the first day of IU. The first impression was that the school was so beautiful, modern equipment and professional, dedicated faculty and staff. During four years, IU brought me a solid amount of knowledge, loving friends, and a beautiful student life. Thank IU very much.

�?Tram Anh, Course 2011- School of Biotechnology

It was almost four years since I first set foot in college. At that time everything in Saigon, for a provincial people like me, is really strange and hard to adapt. But thanks to the friendly learning environment at IU, I was fortunate to have great friends. And the more fortunate I was when I got all my brothers, sisters, at the place where I called my second home-TOSA. In the end of April, I have to finish my graduation thesis, which means that I would soon have to leave IU where I was given the opportunity to spend the rest of my meaningful student life. If time could come back, I would still want to live in those beautiful memories again.

�?Phuong Hao, Course 2012 �?School of Business

In the beginning of the school I was a little scared because I came from a small province, I was afraid that I might not get along with new friends here, so I became cold and afraid to open my heart. But after the first camping trip, I made many new friends. Everyone I met was cute and easy to talk to, so I was more opened. To me, social connection is the most important thing. At IU, everyone from the teachers to the security guards is all enthusiastic and interesting. Even when I’m not studying at IU anymore, I’m still very proud of it.

�?Ngoc Linh Course 2011 �?School of Business

Being dynamic is the first advantage. Because of the dynamic spirit, students do not hesitate to try or afraid to learn. This makes it interesting for students to share and recruit. The courses are very up to date and flexible. Students are learning the whole courses in English so they are quite fluent in this foreign language. IU is a great environment for young people to experience and study in four years of college.

�?Tieu Ngan, 2009 Course �?School of Business

First of all, on behalf of Dear My IU and IU students, I would like to send my sincere thanks to Cang for taking the time to share the precious experiences for IU students.

Please introduce about yourself. Is Kim Cang now much different from Kim Cang as a student?
My name is Kim Cang, a student of the Faculty of Marketing (2011-2015). I enjoy reading, climbing and writing. I’m currently doing media for a startup and doing some personal projects.
The difference between me now and me in the years of college is that I think and say more carefully, being more careful and responsible in the work I do.

Between different choices, why did you choose the cinema to start a business?
I love to watch movies and want to use this hobby to make money. At the same time I find that movies in theaters are now often “mass�?targeted to the vast majority of customers; There is also a segment of the films which are more selective that has no place to show. Since I start my business as in the “poor family�? I decided to enter this side market. I don’t have many customers but most of them really love his place and often come back.

Can you explain to IU-ers the meaning of the brand “Hung Hoa (Shining Flower)�?
“Hoa�?refers to the sun, because in the morning or in the afternoon, you’ll be able to see the sunrise and sunset at Hung Hoa Cinema. It’s very beautiful. “Hung�?refers to me, to those who are starting their own businesses, with hope to succeed and “shine�?one day.

On the SHIELD startup project on a national scale, can Kim Cang share with us about SHIELD?
SHIELD has been run for more than one year, and SHIELD was born to connect startups with the necessary support resources, such as startup connections with hedge funds, service providers, and human resources companies, Co-working space�?/p>

In the near future, how do you plan to develop SHIELD? Do SHIELD and HUNG HOA cinema have the same goal?
I and my teammates hope that in about 2 years SHIELD will become a venture capital fund for startups in Vietnam. Currently I am building a site specializing in introducing startup products to help modern life simpler and more economical.
Because SHIELD is an unprofitable long-term project, I use HUNG HOA as a way to earn a living first, then saving the world later.

As a fresh graduate student, do you have trouble getting started? And do you find yourself too risky when starting a career?
There are many difficulties. I left my current job to self-mobilize a whole new work. How to convince family and close friends to understand, how to solve the first problem – money, and recruit good people that agree to take less salary, more difficult jobs.
My point of view is “High risk, high return�?so I think it’s not too risky. Maybe on the safe side, the way I’m walking is somewhat less safe than my friends�?paths, but I think it gives me more experiences, help me grow up and appreciate money and love those who love me more.

Between self-startup and co-startup, which one do you think will succeed first? And which one did you choose?

I think when starting a business together, the chances of success will be higher, because more people mean more views, more insight customers, and we can also support each other when problems arise. However, the problem is to find a co-entrepreneur with the same passion and capacity. If you cannot find such a person, you should start your own business.

According to you, what kind of knowledge and skills do you think a new entrepreneur should have?
As a student, when you graduate, be sure you have a professional background. Four years of university, internship, part-time job must ensure that after the graduation, you have expertise in a certain field. In addition, a student should set the goal to explore every corner of his personality. What you’re good at, what your weak points are, what you hate, what you love. How you relieve stress, what you love to eat, whether you have the ability to lead or not, whether you are able to speak in front of the crowd or not, whether you have good computing skills or not, whether you like writing or not,�? The more you know about yourself, the more you are able to find the job that suits your ability and personality. That is my opinion about the necessary things that graduated students should have, but to step into the path of starting a business, you must shed some blood, and really want to do something. When your determination is strong enough, you will know which way you need to go.

What’s your message to IU-ers? And wishes for IU on the occasion of the 13^th anniversary of our university?
When you are still a student, put your heart and mind in everything, from studying, working, playing or loving something too. Take the opportunity to go as far as possible, to free read books (not in your mother language if possible) in your free time as much as possible, to love often and exercise regularly.
IU will forever remain in my heart as a small red house in the giant sand desert. I hope IU will develop more, both in quantity and quality. I hope for IU teachers to always be healthy and IU students to always keep their spirit.
Thank you!
Once again I would like to thank you for taking the time to share with my Dear IU. Hopefully the DMI readers will be inspired by the start-up as well as having a solid career preparation in the future. Wishing you a lot of fun and prosperity at work and in the future.