““Feel the energy of the eight peaks of Bukhansan Mountain in front of you,” greeted Harvard students.
At 10 a.m. on Mar. 12 at the Jingansa Temple Korean Cultural Experience Center in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, students clad in maroon hoodies emblazoned with “Harvard” gathered, clasping their hands together and taking deep breaths as they gazed upon Bukhansan Mountain. The group of 93 members of the Radcliffe Orchestra at Harvard University was there to immerse themselves in Korean Buddhist culture.
Asked by a monk about his first impressions of Korea, one student remarked, “Experiencing such splendid natural beauty in Seoul, a city I presumed to be just a kaleidoscope of urban colors, is astonishing.” Danilo Thurber, a 22-year-old computer science major from Harvard, shared, “My knowledge of Korea was limited to K-pop idols. Being here and witnessing the blend of traditional and contemporary cultures firsthand has been captivating.”
A rising trend among foreign students is the ‘learncation’ to Korea, a concept that combines ‘Learning’ and ‘Vacation’ into a single enriching experience. This approach offers deeper engagement with the country through cultural immersion and academic interactions, going beyond the scope of mere tourism.”
American and European students particularly favor learncations. The Korea Tourism Organization reports a significant rise in such visitors, from 519 in 2019 to 1,445 in the first half of 2024 alone. A representative from the Korea Tourism Organization said, “While Korea’s overall tourist numbers are growing, the surge in visits from Western students is especially prominent. We expect the count of U.S. and European students will hit 3,000 by year’s end, marking a sixfold increase over five years.”
Harvard students, previously acquainted with Korea primarily through K-pop and K-dramas, have found learncations to enrich their understanding of Korean culture. Elizabeth Lee, a 22-year-old who attended Jingwansa Temple’s ‘Suryukjae’ (Water and Land Ceremony), expressed her awe at the unique oriental music. “I’ve been studying flute and classical music since I was young, but I’ve never encountered such distinctive sounds. I’m eager to explore these completely new melodies and styles,” she said.
These Harvard students have also explored Korean culture in cities like Busan, Tongyeong, and Jeonju.
An official from the Korea Tourism Organization said, “Before the pandemic, visitors were predominantly from middle and high schools or international schools with Korean language programs. Now, we’re seeing a broader range, including college students, drawn to Korea as K-pop, K-food, and K-culture have become global phenomena.”
