Editor’s note: The following is the fifth in a multipart memoir series written by Alek Sigley about his time studying at Kim Il Sung University.

Foreign students in North Korea have the opportunity to live side-by-side with local Korean students known as “dongsuk-saeng” (동숙생), literally “students living in the same accommodation.” 

This enables a kind of cultural exchange, which in many cases can be highly enriching for both sides. And it’s quite the privilege: North Korea’s system is set up to rigorously prevent or at least closely manage interactions between locals and foreigners. 

Foreigners cannot visit the home of a