Anyeonghaseyo again! How is everybody these days? Doing great, I hope. Well, here is another place that some tourists visit when they are in Seoul, although it's not really a tourist attraction per se, but due to its history and popularity, it has become one. I am talking about the Ewha Womans University.
We also visited the campus when we went during spring, just to see what it was all about. So let me take you around the parts of the campus we bravely explored, as we were not sure which areas are not allowed to the public.
I borrowed this picture from the university's website just so we see the big picture as I was not able to take a picture like this one. The area under the planted parts are actually classrooms, libraries and cafeteria. Amazing architecture eh?
Ewha Womans University was Korea's first educational institute for women. It was founded by an American missionary in 1886, and its name 'Ewha' was bestowed by Emperor Gojong, who was the 26th King of the Joseon Dynasty. The word Ewha means pear blossoms, and it was said to be inspired by the numerous pear trees in the area. The pear blossoms are incorporated in the logo.
The campus was huge, and since we were not so sure which are open to the public and which are not, we just stayed in the common areas.
This is the university's chapel. This chapel became Korea's first university church by holding church services for students, faculty, alumni and their families.
This is one of the entrances of the buildings under the garden. We actually went inside to take a look, and there was a bookstore, a cafeteria, the other side are classrooms and library if I remember correctly.
Ewha Womans University is currently the world's largest female educational institute according to Wikipedia and is one of the most prestigious universities of South Korea. The university collaborates with around 830 partners in 64 countries, including Harvard University, University of British Columbia and many other prestigious universities around the world.
The use of Womans in its name carries a special meaning. Apparently, the founders thought that every woman should be respected, and to promote this idea, they chose the word woman in order to avoid grouping students together under the word 'women'. So when you see the name, its not a typo error, it was intentional.
This building was designed by the Dominique Perrault Architecture and they were able to incorporate the campus into the city as a place to relax, to learn, to do sports, and just a place open for all.
Who would have imagined that underneath the place I am standing on are classrooms and other facilities? Great design, I must say.
This is the 'valley' created by the two buildings on each side. You see this structure a few hundred meters from the main gate. It is the main attraction of the university, if I must say.
The campus was huge, and we clearly did not walk around, because we were not sure what areas were out of bounds for outsiders. We were reliving our university days while we were there.
The pathway into the valley is a slope that goes down, and at the end of it are a set of stairs that connects everyone to the rest of the campus.
We only climbed part of the stairs part to take some pictures. I wish we could have gone all the way up to see more of the other buildings.
It must also look very nice in autumn, when the leaves on the trees change their color.
The pathways on each side on top of the buildings are lined with beautiful plants and flowering shrubs. Studying at a place like this would be so good, isn't it?
Perhaps next to Israel, South Korea has to be my next favorite travel destination, and I have to keep going back as there are still so many places I haven't been to.
I can picture Cha Tae Hyun of 2 Days 1 Night taking a picture on these stairs while doing a mission. I know, I watch too many Korean shows, ha ha. They're funny, that's why.
If you're planning to visit, you can take the subway line 2 and get off at Ewha Womans University station and it will only around 5 minutes walk from either exits 2 or 3.
This whole area is called the ECC, or Ewha Campus Complex, and it Korea's largest underground campus. Like I said earlier, it contains a library, bookstore, gym, even a movie theater, cafes and other cultural facilities.
The area around the university campus is apparently one of the most popular shopping districts in Seoul. Clothing stores in the area offer affordable clothing and apparel for young people.
We thought it would be nice to do a jump shot in front of the building that looks nice. Credits to my brother in law who was patient enough in taking numerous pictures until we got one right.
We also tried one in front of the chapel, but my sister just could not do it. I had to teach her how to do it with her legs bent, ha ha. Peace, lil' sister!
I leave you with another borrowed picture from the school's site, just so you see what it looks like from the top. I would gladly take friends and relatives there the next time we go.
From Ewha Womans University then, again I say anyeong, and stay tuned for more adventures! For more travel articles, you can visit this page.
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