The spirit of Korean universities

A pivotal moment in the author's cultural adjustment to Korea occurred when a teacher initiated a class roll call and directly contacted absent students. Without hesitation, she inquired about their absence and their failure to notify her. The international students, including the author, were taken aback by the teacher's direct approach, as in their home country of Poland, such behavior would be considered unprofessional.

Teacher-student relationships in Korea starkly contrast those in Poland. In Korea, faculty members are often unfamiliar to students, with the exception of those who serve as supervisors. There is no expectation for professors to remember students' names or even respond to emails. Students tend to keep personal lives separate from academic matters.

In stark contrast, Korean culture embraces a different norm. It is customary for students to exchange phone numbers or KakaoTalk profiles, enabling them to seek additional clarification, recommend resources, or share relevant articles. Korean professors frequently express interest in students' home countries, exchanging cultural references such as webtoon links and occasionally inquiring about the students' well-being during holidays.

At Korea University, an elderly professor initially maintained a distance throughout the academic year. However, he eventually demonstrated a more approachable demeanor by ordering pizza and fried chicken for himself.