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- [Newsletter] Navigating GSIS Life: Insights and Advice from Ula, an ITFM Graduate
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- 2025.02.03
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- 국제학대학원
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by Mishra, Shreya
Senior Editor, GSIS Newsletter
The GSIS Newsletter had the opportunity to sit down with Ula, a graduate student from the ITFM program who is set to graduate in February 2025. In this interview, Ula reflects on his time at Yonsei GSIS, sharing memorable experiences, lessons learned, and valuable advice for both new and current students. From navigating academic challenges to making the most of social opportunities, Ula offers an interesting perspective on balancing studies, work, and life in Korea.
Thanks for sitting down with us, can you please introduce yourself briefly to our readers?
Hi everyone! I am Ula, a graduate of the ITFM program. Some of you might recognize my name from the emails you have sent to the admissions team, as I worked as the Admissions Assistant for most of my time at Yonsei. Interestingly, through my work, I have gotten to know many of you, but unfortunately, you might not know me.
How was your time at the GSIS, Yonsei University?
I absolutely loved my two years in Korea, especially the time with the Yonsei GSIS community. My postgraduate program was filled with unforgettable memories—most of them I will cherish forever, though there are a few I might try to forget.
What are your best memories from your time at the GSIS? If you are comfortable, can you also talk about one of those you would like to forget? This might help the student community pursue things cautiously.
The best times, of course, come after midterms and finals, when you can finally relax, enjoy a party, or catch up on some decent sleep—or even do both! My advice is to avoid procrastinating before exam periods. I have found that the harder you study beforehand, the more enjoyable the break afterward becomes. Interestingly, due to relative grading, only 60% of students can receive an A, which is not actually that bad. This means that to achieve an A, you do not necessarily have to be exceptional but simply perform slightly above the average.
As for bad experiences, I did face some challenging days due to health issues. One of the biggest difficulties came from delaying my health insurance payment. As a result, I struggled a bit, when I had to pay everything at once to get hospital treatment. Therefore, I strongly recommend paying health insurance on time, as it covers a significant portion of medical expenses. Unfortunately, we never know what might happen, so it’s always better to be prepared.
Now when you are graduating, how do you think your course selection at GSIS is helping you move ahead in your career? Any word of advice for students on that?
I majored in both ITFM 2 and ITFM 3, which I believe will enhance my chances in the job market. I highly recommend that students consider studying more than one field of concentration, as it only takes four courses to meet the requirements. It is always a great idea to explore courses from different fields, such as combining ITFM 1 and 2 or even ITFM with PIC / KSP. Moreover, do not shy away from courses with heavy workloads. Although they are challenging, they often provide the most valuable knowledge. Additionally, I suggest mixing easy and hard courses to maintain balance. During my time, I would typically choose two challenging courses and two straightforward ones to strike the right balance.
What advice would you give to the first-year students at the school?
Socializing is just as important as studying during a Master’s degree. In the first and second semesters, I strongly recommend participating in as many social events as you can, including those organized by the GSA. The friends you make during your first semester will likely be the people you will spend your time with throughout the program. Even if you’re an introvert, step out of your comfort zone and try to socialize—the program is too short to stay shy. In my opinion, a Master’s degree is more about networking than GPA, as I believe all Yonsei GSIS graduates have bright futures and successful careers ahead of them.
I know it might be too early to ask, but if you are comfortable, could you please share with us your plans after graduation?
I have grown very accustomed to living in Korea, so I plan to pursue my career here in Seoul. I am not someone who rushes into making quick decisions, so I want to take my time and carefully analyze the job market. As of now, I am not entirely sure what the future holds for me.
Any last comments for GSIS students?
The most important advice I can give is to study Korean, even though it is not required in our program (except for KSP). Knowing Korean will make it much easier to find part-time work, both on and off campus. Regarding on-campus jobs, try to secure a position as a TA or RA if you plan to write a thesis. Also, keep an eye on the Notice Board on our GSIS website, as it sometimes posts recruitment opportunities for various GSIS positions. Having done both, I found that working at GSIS is much easier than working outside.
Additionally, I recommend downloading the 당근 app, where you can find plenty of part-time job opportunities. If you want to make Korean friends, I suggest signing up for local clubs or gyms in your neighbourhood. For example, I joined a local jiu jitsu gym, where most of the members are Korean. In such a case, you will get a chance to experience the local community from the inside and will be encouraged to speak Korean. Lastly, do not forget to travel as Korea has countless fascinating places to explore.
Thank you for your time and insightful answers!
It was a pleasure to share my thoughts with you, and I thank you for taking the time to read this. I would be happy to connect with any GSIS student and stay in touch with all of you, so feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.