Find Yourself at Yonsei International Campus, Songdo

An Intro

Many of you who would have Googled all the way here to this blog would know at least some direction on what to expect of life in Korea. Now, imagine a place where Korea's peculiarities intrigue a synergy effect with western lifestyle; the synergy starts at Yonsei International Campus, and you have found the right place to begin your life at Korea.

Whether you are someone simply interested in Yonsei University, or one actually planning to attend this college as either a freshman or exchange student, I hope this article becomes a useful guide into discovering YIC.

 

West Gate (Towards Campus Town Station)

 

YIC-Yonsei International Campus (or Songdo Campus) is an extended campus of Yonsei's main campus at Sinchon, Seoul. With shuttle buses operating between the two campuses every half an hour, it's safe to say there's no barrier of separation between the two campuses other than their locations.

 

 

The Songdo Campus was open to students on 2011 as part of Yonsei University's decision to provide a more global-focused education using the new campus' proximity to Incheon International Airport and newly built Songdo Global Business District. With the completion of two Songdo dormitories that can accept almost 5,000 in total, the college administration decided to bring all of the newly admitted freshmen of all majors, except those in music and sports departments, to the brand new campus, beginning the era of Residential College system.

 

Campus Quad

 

With Songdo Global Business District still in construction state, along with the barren landscape ready to accept new buildings of the campus, many who visit here for the first time would wonder how they'll survive one year in this barren land. Nevertheless, this is a college where those in the early 20s gather to outline a new decade of their lives. Students here have survived years of competitive Korean education system and have reached their long dreamed pinnacle of their educational careers. Now, the students are ready to play until sunrise. With these types of mindsets assembled in a barren land, you can expect a college life full of any possibilities -- probably a life beyond your imagination. This is a place where the value of "together" shines.

 

1. Nightfall at Songdo

Sunset at Campus Loop

 

Apart from the setting sun that gleams slightly between the small gaps between high-rise skyscrapers at most cosmopolitan cities like Seoul, nightfall at Songdo is a beautiful synchronization of the small bit of modern high-rise buildings and the natural emptiness that owes itself to undeveloped sites and vast greenscape of Songdo. As soon as you open your dorm's window or walk out of the dorm's lobby around 5PM, you'll be able to see a scene of sublimity as the setting sun gleams through the city's skyline. How about bringing someone you like for a walk during sunset? Wouldn't something come out while walking alongside the campus loop?

 

 

2. Lecture Halls

As of 2018, seven lecture halls have been completed -- consisting of Veritas Halls A,B,C,D, Liberitas Halls A and B, and one multipurpose hall. Here are basic details of each building:

Veritas A - General Studies

Veritas B - Underwood International College

Veritas C - General Studies

Veritas D - School of Pharmacy

Liberitas A - Social Sciences and General Studies

Liberitas B - General Studies

Multipurpose Hall - Sports, Arts, and Chapel

Each of the halls are designed to embed modernism, a design to emphasize a gateway to the future. Each of the hall's modernistic architecture is highlighted by its white ceramic finishing and geometrical design. Although the buildings have the same exterior finishing, each of them have their own unique geometrical patterns. The side of Veritas Hall B facing Underwood Memorial Library appeared on a recent Range Rover and Jeep commercials. It's definitely worthwhile to take a tour of the campus' buildings. 

 

Veritas Hall B

Veritas Hall B Facing UML

 

3. Songdo Dormitories 1 and 2

Dorm 2

Study Room

For your semester or two at YIC, this would be your main playground. Both dormitories are consisted of seminar rooms that will allow you to study overnight with friends, study rooms with more than enough amount of seats, and mostly importantly your 2 to 3 person rooms! (seminar and study rooms operate in reservation basis)

Dormitory 2 has its renowned "Chicken Stairs." The stairs connecting the lobby and he second floor has been made to accompany many Korean-style fried chicken lovers. Every night, after students finish their homework, the "Chicken Stairs" fill up with students trying to finish their day with a good piece of delivered chicken. Out of chicken choices? This is Korea! and there are way more delivery options than simply a chicken! You can pick a delivery cycle with your friends, rotating betwen DiDi Chicken, YupDdeok(Korean spicy ricecake), Hwagye(spicy chicken with egg soup), and Dami Jokbal(steamed pig leg). 

Unfortunately the multimedia rooms for the use of computers are equipped with very slow processors, so just keep that in mind.

 

Chicken Stairs

4. Underwood Memorial Library

Underwood Memorial Library

 

 

Located at the center of the campus, Yonsei has built the most modern library system right at this campus, allowing you to exeperience the future of college libraries in first hand. With various meeting rooms and study rooms, the library is fit to review what you have learned throughout the day and delve into your topic of interest. Below is a simple floor info:

B1: Cafe, Bookstore, Print Shop, Hair Shop, Foodcourt, Post Office

Lobby: Computer Lounge and iMacs! (access only via rear door)

2F: Multimedia rooms and couple/personal DVD lounge

3F: Group Study Rooms (equipped with computer and TV)

4F: Fance and Individual Study Spaces, Orange Sofas

5/6F: Reading Rooms and Books

7F: Conference Hall, Seminar Rooms, Cafe

 

** TIP: Fance is an enclosed chair with an oceanview, fit for your daydreaming **

 

5. Multipurpose Hall

Multipurpose Hall to the Right of UML

You can basically do anything, and I mean it, ANYTHING. There's a gym that costs around $150 a semester, music rooms, squash rooms, chapel hall, and probably some places that I haven't been to. A small tip here is to enjoy the gym with only $50 a semester by registering into any "Body for Life" classes. But, almost everyone knows this tip and it's really hard to get into these classes.

 

6. Ok, Campus is Clear. What Can You Do Outside?

- TRIPLE STREET: moody restaurants and theater

- HAEBUDAE: 3 minute walking distance from Dorm 2. Warning: Drunk students walk like zombies every 2AM and walk towards the dorm doors before the doors shut down. Due to its proximity, this is the most famous bar amongst the students to hang out. Though the menus are pricey, the atmosphere created by the freshmen is worth a try.

- CAMPUS TOWN STATION: cheap restaurants and Korean BBQ places, more bars.

 

7. Underwood International College

Now that you have learned about this wonderful place, let's know about what you can learn here. Most foreign students come to Yonsei's UIC, as it offers both Korean and American style learning environments. This is a place most fit for those who want to naturally blend into Korean lifestyle while sustaining a link with American education.

 

Afterclass view, out from Veritas B (UIC Lecture Hall)

Underwood Division

- Comparative Literature and Culture, Economics, International Studies, Political Science, Life Science and Biotechnology

HASS (Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences)

- Asian Studies, Culture and Design Management, Information and Interaction Design, Creative Technology Management, Justice and Civil Leadership, Quantitative Risk Management, Science Policy, Sustainable Development

ISED (Integrated Sciences and Engineering)

- Nano Science Engineering, Energy and Environmental Science and Engineering, Bio-Convergence

 

There will be more about UIC in a later article. Stay tuned!