August {8/22-8/31} 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚

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Monthly Favorites

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Moods:

Anxious, Excited, Adventurous, Tired, Homesickness

At the beginning of August, I felt so anxious yet excited to explore the sights of South Korea. This would be the first time I was traveling outside the United States without my parents, so it was a learning experience being independent in a foreign country. As I was blessed with the opportunity to go abroad while funded, I wanted to ensure I go outside every day to make my time here worth it. During this month, I have spent exploring Seoul with friends who are also fellow Shidler students as well as Freeman Scholars! It was great being able to have a direct support system back home who is here with me as it made living in South Korea more fun! I made a lot of mistakes during this time, but it is more important to learn and not let it discourage you from being a teachable moment. As an example, I was still getting used to the trash system in South Korea and I accidentally threw away an item that was not supposed to be in a certain place and the worker took notice. I was embarrassed at first, but I knew that this was just a learning experience for me. DO NOT be afraid of making mistakes that is how we grow!

During my first week here I was at a hotel as I had a later move-in time compared to my other study abroad peers and so I've spent a good chunk of that time solo-exploring the area I was in as I wanted to try and get accumulated in the culture as possible. I was scared at first as I was always used to having somebody with me, but it taught me how to plan and enjoy my own company, so I recommend it if you have the chance to go exploring alone! It taught me how to be independent and to keep myself entertained. Another thing I wanted to add was that I felt extremely homesick during this week. I remember my first night in Korea I cried to my mother on the phone and felt extremely scared in my hotel room! Luckily after my first meltdown session, my aunt who lived in the Philippines decided to visit me to give emotional support. If you ever experience any homesickness while abroad just know your family is always a call away and that it is okay to reach out to others for emotional support as you may not be the only one who's going through this.

When I finally moved into my dorm on August 28, I dreaded it. I was so used to having my own space at home and so I knew this would be one of the challenges I must overcome while abroad. Overall, I felt that my roommate's assignment went okay as he was also from the United States as well as the same major as me. One thing to note about a move-in day for Sogang University is that you need to wait outside the building and go through a procedure on the lobby floor. This procedure includes getting your dorm key and downloading apps for communication between you and the staff members. Typically, the apps we used were called Kakao Talk and Gonzaga Hall as well as forms where you would have to sign a roommate agreement form. After settling in the dorm we had orientation and a campus tour! I recommend attending these two events as it made me more familiar with the school and the resources available to us international exchange students.

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Locations:

Incheon, South Korea

• Incheon International Airport

Seoul, South Korea

• Myeong-dong

  • Nine Tree Premier Hotel ||

  • Olive Young

  • 12-Story Daiso

  • Cathedral Church

  • Butter

  • Line Friends

  • Pop Mart

  • Emis

  • Twosome Cafe

  • Poem Cafe

• Anam-dong

  • Korea University

  • Twosome Cafe

  • Costco

  • Home Plus

• Insa-dong

  • Don't Look Up

  • Soha Salt Bread

• Hongdae

  • Pop Mart

  • Sanrio Lovers Cafe

  • Honeybee Manhwa Cafe

  • Running Man's Haha & Jungkook Restaurant

  • Rock-Q Coin Karaoke

  • Rachel's Cafe

• Seongsu-dong

  • Levi Pop-Up Event

  • Tamburins

  • Dior

  • Dasique

  • Matin Kim

  • Samo Ondoh

  • Emis

  • Stand Oil

  • Fwee

• Dongdaemun

  • Dongdaemun Plaza (DDP)

• Sinchon

  • Yonsei University

  • Sogang University

Gimpo, South Korea

Gimpo Airport