Before I decided to study abroad, I read up on people’s experiences to see what I should or should not expect. Most people wrote about homesickness and lifelong friends. So, although I should have set up some expectations for my year abroad, I decided to go without having any expectations at all. This helped me be more spontaneous in exploring not only myself but also the city of Seoul. Throughout the entire year I spent in Korea, I realized that there were going to be times when I was going to have a difficult time communicating with the locals. Moreover, I had to figure out how to break out of my comfort zone and ask for help when I needed it. There were times when I felt quite alone, but during times like that, I reached out to my family and friends from home to have a sliver of familiarity in a foreign place. Feeling lonely, in my opinion, is the most challenging. Especially because it is in a whole new environment. In my opinion, I think it is best to go to a foreign country without any expectations. That way you can just go with the flow and have unexpected, yet fun experiences.
What surprised me the most was the fact that Yonsei University is a prime location for drama filmings! I have walked by so many filmings happening on and around campus that it still baffles me. Due to Yonsei’s picturesque scenery, it is often used as a filming location. Although I knew that before coming to Korea, I never expected to actually see a drama shooting in person. It is so intriguing to see how the filming takes place. An unforgettable experience for me was going to Nami Island in the fall. The scenery on the island is absolutely breathtaking! Exploring the island filled with the fall scenery, with my friends, was a whole new experience in itself. The weather was perfect too! We even got to paint soju bottles, which we got to take home as souvenirs. I made a lot of memories with my friends on the island.
Throughout the entire year, I realized a lot of things about myself. I learned that I was capable of taking care of myself. Also, that I was more independent than I thought. Before this trip, I had underestimated myself. But, this experience staying in a completely different country, which had a totally different culture and lifestyle from what I was used to, taught me that I was capable of adapting to a whole new environment. Due to these experiences that I have had the privilege of participating in, I would highly recommend studying abroad in Korea. Experiencing the culture firsthand has been such an amazing experience.