My Experiments With IITD : Kim Jaeyhun

I came to India in 2010, starting out in Hyderabad to learn English and experience a culture completely new to me. Seven years later, I qualified JEE Advanced and joined IIT Delhi. As an introvert and a student from South Korea, it wasn’t easy to adjust to a new city with its distinct weather, food, and people. What helped was a steady curiosity, both for academics and for Indian traditions, which slowly made this place feel like home.

If I had to sum up my IIT journey in one word, it would be unconventional. Two years of mandatory military service and a repeated sophomore year because of health challenges shaped me in unexpected ways. Through all of it, IIT taught me how to adapt, persevere and eventually find clarity in my career path, which now points toward research in molecular biology and etiology.

The Rough Start

I moved to India in 2010 on the recommendation of my dad’s friend, whose kids were already studying here. I never thought I’d end up staying this long, but I did, all the way through class 12, also wrote JEE Advanced like everyone else and somehow landed a rank around 2800 (that’s how I found myself at IIT Delhi).

I thought that Delhi would be like Hyderabad - the same country, right? Wrong. Climate change hit me first, then the fast pace of life here. My first year was so hard. I barely made passing grades. The second year started with hospital visits, a bad case of food poisoning from the hostel mess led to a bacterial infection, and I ended up spending weeks in AIIMS. Everything went downhill from there, but somewhere along the way, I had started to pick up Hindi from my friends. Without even realising it, I settled in - slowly, quietly, and then for real. I started speaking and joking in Hindi, and I found people I could connect with; campus no longer seemed so alien.

Fitting in

College at IIT Delhi wasn’t what I had imagined. I used to picture big friend groups, exciting clubs, late-night hangouts straight out of movies. I didn’t really go seeking out friends, I have always considered myself an introvert. But I guess being visibly different made people curious. Often, people would come and ask me about life as a Korean in India, and chats and conversations would begin. I never envisaged talking about Korean food to a group of friends while we were eating night mess ke paranthe together at 2 AM, but here we are! I didn’t join many clubs, and sometimes I wish I had. Nevertheless, I found happiness in the little things, such as going to the gym and lifting weights with a friend, or staying up late watching a Bollywood film together in the common room. Over time, I began to share my voice more, not only in English, but also sometimes in Hindi. Though I never became the guy dancing on stage at Rendezvous, I found my own pace. A quieter kind of belonging, steady, real, and mine in every way.

Between Books and Bonds

I describe my college life as mostly academic, with occasional social exposure. Being an introvert and a foreign student, it was initially tough to make friends. I wasn’t involved in many clubs or sports activities beyond occasional hostel basketball games . However, my Indian peers often reached out to me first, curious and welcoming, asking about my background and life in Korea. That helped a lot. Even though I didn’t attend major social events like RDV or House Day, I enjoyed watching the events and stalls at RDV from a distance. The view of the hostel on house day was wholesome, but being part of it was not for me. I found comfort in quiet evenings, YouTube videos, music, and language learning. I even started picking up Hindi and Urdu, simply out of interest and a desire to connect more. While I sometimes regret not participating more in the traditional college “fun”, I know that the friends I made, the professors I learned from, and the personal growth I achieved were more than enough to make my time at IIT truly worthwhile.

Academically, the initial years were full of hurdles. Homesickness and unexpected weather in Delhi were two hurdles I had to cross. After that, in my second year, I had multiple cases of food poisoning and a serious bacterial infection that kept me in AIIMS hospital for almost the whole year. I didn’t perform well in my courses and ended up repeating my second year voluntarily to improve my grades after the two years of mandatory military service. After those three years, I returned to IITD in 2022 to resume my studies, graduating in 2025 instead of 2021. In my opinion, this academic delay shaped me into someone more disciplined, sincere, and determined. I eventually found my academic calling in molecular biology and virology, did research on G-quadruplexes in parasites, and received multiple offers from top UK universities for my master’s program.

From Barracks to Benches

I left IIT Delhi after my second year in 2019 to return to South Korea for my mandatory military service. I underwent a month of basic training and was then posted to the Air Force near the border, where I worked in aviation control. I also trained others in CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) survival, which prepares individuals for threats involving these agents. I believe sincerity and discipline are the qualities I developed in the military, which have helped me a lot in academics. I didn't miss any classes when I came back.

 Two years is a long time away from college, and coming back in 2022 felt almost like starting over. 

My second year hadn’t gone well. I had fallen seriously ill during the semester and ended up failing most of my courses. Some professors offered to pass me with a D grade, but I didn’t feel comfortable with that. I hadn’t attended the classes or done the work, so I requested to repeat the year instead. When I came back after service, it was strange. Most of the people I knew had already graduated. I didn’t know anyone in my new batch, and I wasn’t sure where I fit in anymore. The first few weeks were mostly quiet and difficult. I kept to myself.

Eventually, I met another student who had also taken a two-year break, though for medical reasons. We connected over that shared experience, and just having someone who understood made things much easier. Even one good conversation or bit of support can go a long way. Over time, more people joined us in group studies, hostel chats, and canteen breaks. Slowly, I found a rhythm again. It didn’t all fall into place at once, but day by day, things felt more normal. 

To My Juniors Crossing Oceans

For international students considering attending IIT Delhi, especially through the JEE route, I wouldn’t say it’s easy. It’s a competitive place, and the adjustment can take time. But if you’re serious about academics and willing to give it space, it’s worth considering.

I didn’t interact much. I mostly kept to myself, attended classes, did my work, and stayed focused on why I was here. Even without being very social, I still found that the environment had an influence on me. Being around students who are so driven and disciplined has a profound impact; you start picking up on that seriousness almost unconsciously. For me, that alone was satisfying. But I would also say to other international students that if you’re open to stepping out of your shell and connecting with people here, you’ll discover that the community is welcoming and there’s so much more you can gain beyond academics.

Written by: Akshata Kabra, Ishan Sharma, Ishita Bhardwaj