First week in Seoul has been wonderful. My internship is fun and challenging and keeps me looking forward to going back in to the office. This week we all went on a day trip to Incheon, a city that borders Seoul to the West. The weather has gotten pretty hot and humid—although I am pretty used to this kind of weather due to the time I have spent in India. The food in Seoul is wonderful not only because of taste but at the price you get such taste at. The quality and quantity for the price is amazing and I would recommend people to come just for the food. Every meal feels like a new adventure, whether it’s trying unfamiliar dishes or enjoying street food in bustling markets. One of my favorite meals so far was a simple bowl of kimchi jjigae at a tiny, family-run restaurant that only locals seemed to know about. I’ve also noticed how friendly and welcoming the locals are, which makes navigating the city feel much easier. Public transportation has been super efficient, it is super easy to learn and utilize. Overall, I feel grateful to be here and excited for everything that lies ahead.
Another thing I’ve loved is just walking around different neighborhoods and taking in the atmosphere. Each area has its own personality, Hongdae is energetic and youthful, full of street performers and indie shops, while Bukchon Hanok Village feels like stepping into the past with its beautiful traditional houses and quiet charm. I’ve also been impressed by how clean and safe the city feels, even at night. I’ve found myself wandering comfortably through alleyways and side streets without worry, which is not something I take for granted. On the cultural side, I’ve been fascinated by how seamlessly modern life blends with deep-rooted traditions. Whether it’s passing a centuries-old palace on the way to a high-rise office building or seeing locals bow respectfully at temples tucked between skyscrapers, it’s clear that Seoul holds a unique and thoughtful rhythm. It’s been just a week, but I already feel like I’m beginning to understand what makes this city so special.
Time management has always been something I’ve struggled with, but in recent years, I’ve made conscious efforts to improve. Procrastination, distractions, and poor planning used to eat away at my time. Coming to Korea has added another layer of difficulty as it is very tempting to just spend all day waking around the sensory overloaded streets of Seoul. Regardless, I’ve developed strategies that have helped me thus far in managing my internship workload and personal leisure time. One of the biggest changes I’ve implemented is waking up early. I make sure to wake up early and start working because that is when I am most productive. There’s something about the quietness of the morning that sharpens my focus. I go to a cafe and start working. But before that I put my phone away in my bag – no emails, no phone calls, no noise—just me and the task at hand. Waking up early and starting work gives my day structure and allow me to stay grounded even when things get busy. Mornings are now sacred to me because if I miss them my whole day gets discombobulated.
Another key factor that forced me to take time management more seriously is my internship. My internship is hybrid, which means I have to implement more discipline in how I spend my time. On the days I go into the office, there is structure in place – in the form of meetings, tasks, etc. But on remote days, the temptation to go on my phone or go out is hard to combat. I’ve learned that without boundaries, work can either stretch endlessly into the night or become fragmented and ineffective. When I am not it office – an hour of work turns into two hours; a simple task turns into a complicated one. To stay on track, I’ve developed routines and rituals that give my days a rhythm. I plan my work hours in advance, take scheduled breaks, and try to maintain a clear start and end to my workday. I use Google Calendar to block time for specific tasks and my breaks.
My first week in Seoul has been filled with excitement, growth, and learning. From navigating a new city to balancing work and leisure, each day has taught me something new about my surroundings. I’m looking forward to the weeks ahead and the experiences that will continue to shape this journey.