Idam, a pseudonym for a defector who left North Korea in 2019 and entered South Korea in 2020, describes starting university later than peers, the practical and social hurdles she faced, and how higher education changed the way she saw South Korean society.
Arriving later than classmates created practical and emotional challenges: adapting to classroom pace, social norms, and age gaps mattered as much as coursework.
Friendships forged at university provided daily support — language help, cultural translation, and personal connection — that eased settlement.
Higher education shifted the author’s perspective on social structures and offered tools to interpret life in South Korea beyond survival.
How university helped me find my place in South Korea | NK News October 02, 2026 Oct 02, 2026 NK Pro KCNA Watch Korea Pro News News Investigations Features Daily Update Analysis & Opinion Analysis Columns Interviews Opinion. Topics Aviation Business Companies Culture Cyber Defector Issues Economy Foreign Relations History Human Security / Human Rights Inter-Korean Leadership Military Affairs Misc. How university helped me find my place in South Korea A North Korean escapee reflects on struggles, friendships and how higher education changed the way she saw society.
Readers may submit their questions for defectors by emailing [email protected] and including their first name and city of residence. Idam, a pseudonym for a defector who left North Korea in 2019 and entered the South a year later, reflects on the challenges she faced after starting university later than most of her peers. Trending Recent Stories North Korean state TV turns to Disney's 'Frozen II' for English lessons Ask a North Korean:
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