Zanoor Penny
Zanoor is passionate about the Korean language and culture, and it opened up many opportunities for her.
Key facts:
Programme: Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Fine Arts
Majors: Korean Studies and Media and Screen Studies
“When picking my degree, I wanted to study something that I enjoy and find interesting and that would complement and contribute to my creative industry aspirations. Learning a language is something I’ve always wanted to do, and it opens many opportunities to work abroad in the future.
“Through this degree, I have become fluent in Korean and had the opportunity to study and live in Seoul. Not only learning the language but learning about the history and culture of a country so different to my own has opened my mind to the diverse people and lives that exist in the world.
“One class I particularly loved was Korean 205/305, Korea Through Film. It combined my interests in Korea and film perfectly. We learned about the history of Korea from the Korean War to modern times through the films and dramas that portray these events. It is a fun and engaging way to learn about history, touching on many serious topics in a more digestible format than standard lectures.
Not only learning the language but learning about the history and culture of a country so different to my own has opened my mind to the diverse people and lives that exist in the world.
“I also enjoyed the media courses that focused on the history and impact of pop music. There is usually a lot of room for creativity in our assignments, which means you can express your own ideas and style.
“I aim to work in the entertainment industry, in live performance technology or with a creative direction. My goal is to work in the music industry, but I am interested in all things entertainment, including film and TV. I also hope to work in Korea someday.
“The biggest reasons for my decision to enrol at the University of Auckland were the Korean Studies department - and that it is the only university where you can major in Korean - and the exchange opportunities through 360 International. I've had more opportunities than I expected to study overseas. Another deciding factor was accommodation and lifestyle. I knew I wanted to be in a big city like Auckland, and the location of the campus and first-year accommodation was convenient for exploring.”
Zanoor received the Prime Minister’s Group Scholarship to Korea University and the 360 International Exchange Award - Asia.