10/10/2026
Notes from South Korea🇰🇷
George's POV
안녕하세요 or Annyeonghaseyo!!❤️
My name is George, I am a fifth-year medical student and this summer I had the amazing opportunity to have a SCOPE clerkship in South Korea.
Now, having to write about this experience is really hard because of the numerous things that happened during the exchange.
First of all, I was placed in Korea University, Seoul LC, but my accommodation and hospital were in Ansan, a city on the outskirts of Seoul. It was a little bit difficult because of the distance to Seoul (almost 1 hour and half by subway) but there was the biggest center from South Korea of ENT where I had my internship.
Regarding the academic experience, it was simply one of the best things. The program was every day from 8 AM to 3-4 PM, depending on the surgeries from that day. I had part of a beautiful team that welcomed, and took really good care of me. Even though there was a pretty big language barrier, all the doctors were really calm, tried to explain to me all the surgical procedures I was watching.
There I had also the opportunity to take part in my first surgery as an active participant, and not just as an observer. They really put so much effort in making my experience a really memorable one, and with these said, I can just thank them! ❤️
George's POV
Regarding the social program, each incoming had allocated two Contact Persons, who were in charge creating the social program for him. With my CPs we had 4 or 5 activities during the month, one per week aproximately. Staying in Ansan was a little struggle because I was not that available to go whenever I wanted in Seoul. We did not have any Upon Arrival Training or workshops organised, National Food and Drinks Party, but me and other incomings from different LCs, we managed to do our social program to be unforgettable.
From the usual Korean meals, where we tried the amazing food (Bingsu, the snowflake icecream, Kimbap, Bulgogi, Kimchi jigae, Dak-Galbi, Tteokbokki, Mandu, Pajeon) to riding the bikes along the Hangang River, watching the lights show from the Banpo Bridge, getting dressed in the traditional costumes “Hanboks”, Clubbing nights in Itaewon (one of the club