Ahh, it has finally happened! All that hard work and preparation has paid off. I’m finally studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea. Though I knew this day was coming, even before I took the flight to Seoul, it still feels weird seeing the days count down to the single digits of how long I have until I return to the States. I made it my obligation to enjoy every day to the fullest, and I did that, exploring different parts of Seoul, different cities in Korea, and even going to Tokyo.
But one thing I wish I took more advantage of was speaking Korean conversationally. Of course, I spoke Korean every day in class or just in short increments while ordering, but I unfortunately found myself being dependent on English. Before coming to Korea, I wish I knew how much English would be used here, but I’ve learned from my mistake, and I’ll continue to study hard for when I come back to Korea. Something silly I also wish I knew was how late a lot of things opened up. Coming from the States, you’re able to get a start on your day around 7-8 am because a lot of things are open, but in Korea, a lot of stuff doesn’t open until maybe 10-11 am. But on the other hand, something I loved and surprised me was how accessible a lot of things were. Though I’m from Philly and have public transportation, it can’t compare to Seoul. I was able to go to a theme park far from the city exclusively by public transportation. Also, a lot of stores and cafes are open either really late or 24 hours, and there are many public events that happen. Especially in the spring, there were free cherry blossom festivals, public outdoor libraries, and lantern festivals. There was so much stuff to do, I didn’t even have enough time to enjoy everything.
Having access to so many third spaces and almost a reset on life is something I’m extremely grateful for. Prior to Korea, I felt like I was just going through the motions with school and life; nothing felt meaningful, but after these four months, I feel like life is fun again. Being here has reignited my passion for learning and even motivated me to go to graduate school in Seoul. Korea grew a passion in me that I love, and I can’t wait to continue seeing what this passion will bring to me in the future.
