A Korean with Japanese studies student reporting for duty! Sorry it has taken so long to reply, I've been busy with essay deadlines.
for students doing korean+japanese (or any joint language degrees), how are you finding the workload?
The workload is pretty huge especially year 3 onwards, not going to lie. I'd imagine it's even tougher if you've never done either language before, or never studied an Asian language. As it is, there are weekly assignments in both languages, and the vocabulary/grammar are very similar which can lead to confusion! But I personally love learning languages, so I'm still enjoying it despite all the work? I would say, if you really love the two languages, go for it. But there is always the possibility to go back to single honours Korean studies if it's too much to keep up with two languages at once.
the ever famous question, how's the year abroad? i'm itching for a year in japan but if i choose k+j the year will be in korea; for some reason that really worries me though TT i feel these two countries have a different experience to them but japan has always felt a little more welcoming. anyone who's been in korea who can debunk this for me?
Pretty much everyone has enjoyed their year abroad as far as I know. Obviously there are issues with culture shock, homesickness etc. but generally it's been a positive experience. Korea is different from Japan, in that everyone is much more uniform? If that makes sense. Japan is known for its quirky fashion and gadgets, but Koreans are still very much about 'blending in', so you're going to get stared at anyway just for being foreign! But I found that Korea is an interesting mix of Japan and China (technology like Japan, traffic like China aka cross the street and risk your life), old and new. Korea is very welcoming as soon as you say a word in Korean! Most Koreans are afraid of speaking English, so they probably won't approach you unless it's for English teaching.....but if you speak in Korean that fear will vanish and they turn out to be very friendly people and you'll get friends for life. I think your impression of Japan being more welcoming might have to do with Japan having a longer history of foreigners living there? Korea is still fairly new to it all, so it's not all smooth-sailing. But don't let that deter you!
are the students and teachers generally friendly?
Hanis has pretty much answered all other questions and I agree with her, but I'd like to quip in and say that Korean studies teachers and fellow students are very friendly. There aren't that many faculty members in Korean studies so you really get to know each lecturer (it's great for job references in the future). All the SEAS office people have been nothing but helpful the entire time I've been here. Students are like any students, really, you get both friendly people and the occasional loners. I'd like to think us in Korean studies are a friendly bunch~
Laura