My trip to Korea with the GMU student group was beyond amazing. It was so much fun! I learned so many new things about the Korean culture. We tried all sorts of Korean food which was delicious. We also learned how to ski and played with the snow, which was my first time ever seeing snow. The tour also included a visit to Asan Medical Centre, the biggest and best hospital in South Korea. We were introduced to their staff and the technology that they use. We learned about the surgeries performed there and we were also told that many students from Saudi Arabia are doing their internship there, which is interesting. Lastly, we were taken shopping and to an amazing musical play that was so much fun. Overall, the trip was really great! It was not only fun, but also educational.
Abdel Rahman Alkhdour, College of Medicine, MBBS, First Year
I had always wanted to visit South Korea and I recently had the chance to spend a week in this amazing country. It is an interesting place with a unique culture and a highly developing economy. I flew into the capital, Seoul. On arrival in the city, the marked contrast between modern skyscrapers, high-end shopping malls, and traditional neighborhoods was immediately striking. Wide streets lined with fancy boutiques lead to narrow alleyways with tiny traditional shops and eateries, and there are many great tourist attractions. The tour also included a visit to Asan Medical Center, the biggest and best hospital in South Korea. In the end, I want to thank our supervisor, Mrs. Burcu, for taking care of all the GMU students.
Heila Almosa, KSA, DMD Student, 4th Year
South Korea was my dream country to visit and when the opportunity arose, I signed up immediately. I was excited from the moment I registered until the day I travelled. Experiencing this country with the university and learning so much about it made me fall in love with it all over again. It was such an amazing experience. I would gladly do this again with the university, and I loved meeting new people who shared the same interests as me. I enjoyed it a lot.
Ajwan Al-Najar, BBMS, 1st Year
Korea has been my dream destination since I was a kid. The trip was super fun and amazing with a wonderful GMU group. I learned a lot about Korea and visited many places I had always wanted to see, such as Seoul Tower, the Royal Palace, and Nami Island. Korean food is so tasty, especially the street food. We also went to a skiing resort, and it was so much fun. I learned how to ski very quickly because our amazing tour guide patiently taught me. The highlight of the trip was our visit to Asan Hospital, the biggest hospital in Korea. We learned about the surgeries and services they offer and toured the entire hospital. It was beautiful and equipped with advanced technology. We also watched a presentation about Saudi Arabian students who completed training there. I hope I can do the same one day. Thank you to Ms. Burcu for making this trip successful and enjoyable.
Deena Jarbou, BHS AST
South Korea has been my dream country since I was a kid, and now that I have finally visited it, I feel like I have achieved one of my dreams. I loved everything about the trip—the culture, the food, the atmosphere, and the attractions exceeded my expectations. I learned a lot and even improved my Korean language skills. I was lucky enough to visit the biggest hospital in Seoul, and it truly motivated me. This is the second trip (Europe, Summer 2018) that I have attended with the university, and I look forward to many more.
Miski Abdirachid, BHS AST
My trip exploring Seoul and Busan with my fellow GMU students is one of the most memorable experiences. We visited a variety of places that both educated and entertained us, such as the palace where we learned about Korean history and watched the changing of the guard ceremony. We also visited Asan Medical Center, one of the biggest hospitals in Korea. We were amazed by the number of surgical procedures performed each day and by how modern and efficient the hospital is. It had everything imaginable, from a karaoke room to advanced technology supporting research. We also visited Lotte World and a ski resort where we played in the snow. Overall, it was an amazing trip where I made new friends and learned a great deal about Korean culture.
Thank You,
Ayisha Muskan, 1st Year ADPCS
The trip was a remarkable experience that I learned a lot from. The museum, hospital, fish market, and small villages were all memorable. Everything was so much fun, from the bus rides to the very last moment. I even learned how to write my own name in Korean and how to sing an old folk song. The customs and the people are so traditional and polite. I would love to repeat this experience a million times.
Mirna Khan, Dentistry, 1st Year (2018)
As 2019 started, I was most excited to join the trip to South Korea on the 7th of January 2019. Upon arrival in Seoul, the beautiful city immediately amazed me with its architecture and skyscrapers. The following days were filled with activities that I thoroughly enjoyed, including visits to the famous shopping streets of Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Insadong, which offered a variety of shops, stalls, and delicious street food. One of my favorite experiences was watching the talented street performers. We also had the honor of visiting Asan Hospital, the largest and most famous hospital in Seoul, where we were given a guided tour of its numerous facilities. In addition, we visited ancient palaces and learned about the history of Seoul. Our trip ended in Busan, a beautiful city filled with culture, lights, and vibrant shopping streets.
Tanzima Tabassom, BBMS, 1st Year (2018)
I really had fun and gained many experiences throughout the trip. One thing I liked most was the people—they are really friendly and humble. Everything we did was amazing, and I hope we can do it again.
Abdulrahman Mugharbel, MBBS, 1st Year (2018)
My visit to South Korea with the GMU group was breathtaking. Not only did I have an amazing time, but I also learned so much, especially about the medical advances we saw at Asan Medical Hospital, which made me want to come back for training in the future. The scenery of Seoul and its fascinating history were unforgettable. Experiencing snow and skiing for the first time was the highlight of my trip. Overall, I had an amazing time and would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Lina Alhaj, College of Medicine, MBBS, Year 1
The trip was very well organized and enjoyable for everyone who attended. We gained a lot of knowledge, visited several famous Korean destinations, and experienced some of the best food. The trip also brought many students closer together and strengthened existing friendships. The hospital visit could have been better, but overall the trip was a major success.
Ali Demyati, MBBS, 1st Year (2018)
The Korean experience was amazing. We learned about Korean culture and spent a day exploring the country’s medical advancements at Asan Medical Center.
Salman M. Ali, 2018M090
My trip to Korea was splendid! It was really fun. We experienced everything related to Korean culture—we tried traditional clothes, enjoyed Korean food, visited the royal palace, and even learned a few Korean words. The ski trip was my personal highlight since I had never skied before. Asan Hospital was another unforgettable experience. It was one of the most highly equipped hospitals I have ever visited. The surgical procedures presented to us were extremely precise and innovative. I loved the hospital. Overall, it was one of the best trips I have ever been on. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.
Haya Rajab Bacha, DMD, 4th Year
Dear Ms. Burcu and GMU Management,
I would like to start by saying how grateful I am to GMU for arranging this wonderful trip. I would also like to thank Ms. Burcu for joining us and making the trip even more enjoyable.
This was an educational sightseeing trip that allowed us to learn about South Korean culture, lifestyle, and traditions while exploring the country’s beautiful scenery.
During this trip, many of us experienced activities we had never tried before, creating wonderful memories that we will always cherish. We also met new people from GMU and formed lasting friendships.
We visited many incredible places across South Korea. From a personal perspective, every destination was amazing—from the educational visit to Asan Medical Center, the largest hospital in Seoul, where we learned about their advanced technology, to the exciting skiing experience and the entertaining Chef Musical Show.
I will never forget the Korean cosmetic shopping experience in Myeongdong. We also visited N Seoul Tower, which offered breathtaking panoramic views of Seoul.
This trip was an unforgettable experience, and I will always look forward to joining more trips organized by GMU.
Thank you, GMU.
Thank you, Ms. Burcu.
Sham Brek, Dentistry, 1st Year (2018)
My trip to South Korea went above and beyond my expectations. We learned how to ski, visited Seoul Tower, and tried on the traditional Korean clothes, Hanbok. We also visited Asan Hospital in Seoul, and it was a great experience! I was very surprised by how organized their system is and how much they have achieved since they opened. Other than that, I learned a lot about Korean culture from our tour guide and from exploring the city. I would love to come back here someday!
Tala Alsyouti, College of Medicine, MBBS, 1st Year
The Korea trip was one I will tell my children and grandchildren about. It was filled with wonderful views of nature, delicious food, and entertaining performers. The streets were the best part—you never knew what you would find. From giant octopuses to unusual souvenirs, everything was unpredictable yet exciting. I loved the trip and would recommend going with your friends because they make the experience even more memorable.
Abderrahman Belfakih, MBBS, 1st Year (2018)
In my opinion, the trip to South Korea with the students of Gulf Medical University was an amazing experience. I had the chance to meet and get to know everyone who joined the trip. We learned about the history of the places we visited and experienced the local culture. In addition, we had the opportunity to visit one of the best hospitals in South Korea, Asan Medical Center, where we saw the latest medical technologies and different healthcare departments. We also visited the Wall of Hope, where patients express their dreams through drawings that represent what they hope to do after recovery. At the end of the day, it was both fun and educational.
Hana Aref Noor, College of Dentistry, 3rd Year
Korea is an amazing country. When I arrived and saw how clean it was, I was truly impressed. The people are kind and respectful of other cultures. I visited many places that I really enjoyed, including the ski resort, Lotte World, Seoul Tower, Nami Island, and the streets of Seoul and Busan. It was a wonderful journey with GMU. I am really happy that I joined this trip, and I hope to participate in future university trips as well. Finally, I would like to thank Ms. Burcu because she took care of us like a mother and did her very best throughout the journey.
Athraa Alnasralla, College of Dentistry (2016)
The trip to Korea was truly unforgettable. I learned so much about Korean culture and traditions. I really enjoyed the food, and the cities were beautiful. During our seven-day tour, my favorite experiences were skiing and trying Korean cuisine. After visiting Asan Hospital, the biggest and most successful hospital in Korea, I would love to return there one day for my dental training. Finally, I would like to thank Mrs. Burcu for being an outstanding leader and a wonderful friend throughout the trip.
Jean Khayat, Senior DMD, 2014D010
I never expected to visit South Korea with my university. It became one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I was fascinated by the country’s technology, organization, and simplicity. Every day in Seoul was a new adventure and an opportunity to learn something new. Throughout the trip, I gained a deeper appreciation of Korean history and culture. One of the highlights was our visit to Asan Medical Center, which impressed me with its professionalism and patient-centered care. I especially loved the Wall of Hope, where patients draw what they hope to do after recovery. Busan was equally unforgettable, especially the colorful houses of Gamcheon Culture Village that created breathtaking views across the mountains. Thank you, Mrs. Burcu, for everything. This was truly an unforgettable experience.
Yara Talib, College of Dentistry, DMD, 3rd Year
This trip to Korea was amazing—it was simply perfect and the best trip I have ever had. We visited Asan Hospital and learned about their advanced treatments, enjoyed skiing at a ski resort, and had a wonderful time at the theme park. The trip was not only entertaining but also educational, making it a truly memorable experience.
Abdulla AlAmri, MBBS, 1st Year (2018)
