I still remember the first time I heard Korean spoken outside of a screen. It was not in Seoul, not in some dramatic moment but in a small classroom in the UK, where I realised that language is not just words it is people, culture and connection.
As a Polish student who moved through different systems of education, I have always felt slightly “in between.” Not fully here, not fully there. Maybe this is why studying abroad feels so important to me. It is not just about travelling but about understanding what it means to belong somewhere new.
My degree combines Korean Studies, linguistics, and TESOL and for me it is more than academic interest. Korea represents innovation, especially in medical technology, which connects to my long-term goal of working with machines in a hospital environment. But I know that to truly understand this, I need more than textbooks. I need to experience it.
Studying abroad would allow me to step into a completely different environment, where I am not just learning the language but living it. I want to hear Korean in everyday situations, make mistakes, learn from them and slowly become more confident. I want to see how people communicate in real life, not just what they say but how they say it.
At the same time, I would bring my own perspective. Growing up in Poland and studying in the UK has already taught me how to adapt, how to listen and how to stay open minded. I believe this is what makes a good exchange student not someone who only takes, but someone who also shares.
This opportunity would not be easy for me financially, which is why the BUTEX scholarship would make a real difference. It would allow me to focus on learning and experiencing, rather than worrying constantly about costs.
For me, studying abroad is not just a “nice experience.” It is a step towards the future I am building one where I can combine language, culture and technology in a meaningful way. It is also a personal challenge: to step outside my comfort zone and prove to myself that I can succeed in a completely new environment.
I am not expecting perfection. I am expecting growth.
