A week in Seoul

So it's been almost a week in Seoul and I've experienced and observed so much that it'll be hard to describe everything in one post. My least favorite part about blogs is that no matter how much you write you inevitably leave things out.

Every day here since I've landed has been packed with either exploring, eating, shopping, or running errands. I will describe events that stick out to me as well listing some observations I've made about Korea as a Westerner.

A typical breakfast I eat every morning that my host family makes me.

Marisa and I (Marisa is my American friend and MSU student who has been in the same Korean class as me for the past two years) were fortunate enough to meet my mom's Korean friend to take us to the immigration office to get our alien registration cards. You need an ARC if you're in Korea for more than 90 days and we wanted to get ours before the rush of international students. You also cannot do/get many things in Korea as a foreigner without an ARC like a phone plan. I'm SO glad we went early. We were there for two hours and that was before everyone else went. We were also very grateful for my mom's friend because there were a lot of steps to get the card that we were unaware of such as getting fingerprints. I pick up my card on September 15, so until then it's no phone plan for me.

Marisa and I after we filled out everything for our ARCs.

I had orientation yesterday (Tuesday) for all Fall 2014 international students. We meet four students from England and two of them, Marisa, and I ended up sticking together the rest of the day. We ventured to Insadong, Korea's traditional district, and then we went back to Sinchon to introduce them to 막걸리 (makkeoli), a Korean fermented rice wine that is like nothing I've ever had before. The best way I can describe it is that it is milky, slightly fizzy, and slightly sweet. It may sound gross but after having it for the second time it's now turning into one of my favorite alcoholic drinks.

막걸리, a Korean rice wine.

A statue of King Sejong at Insadong.

Like I mentioned, my days are filled with exploring, eating, shopping, or running errands. I've explored some parts of Seoul like Gangnam and City Hall and I also have been exploring Yonsei's campus (which is unfortunately under a lot of construction). I've eaten both street food, Korean food, Japanese food, Chinese food, and items from a bakery. If you know me well you know that I'm quite the foodie so I've enjoyed having the opportunity to eat delicious, fresh, diverse, and even healthy food a lot. I haven't done a ton of shopping, which is good for my wallet, but I have bought some school supplies and I even caved and bought a Korean casual dress that fits very nicely. It's hard not to do shopping here because there are just so many stores filled with the cutest clothes and items. And depending on where you shop the prices are cheaper than the U.S. as well.

A part of Yonsei University.

As a Westerner, I have observed how Korea is (obviously) very different from the U.S. in some respects. First is that living quarters here are much smaller; I am still becoming used to being comfortable in smaller spaces. Second, because Seoul's plumbing system is old and it's too late to completely change the entire system, you cannot flush toilet paper. Instead you throw it away in the trash. Third, Seoul is very couple-ly and places high emphasis on being social and having friends. If you go to restaurants by yourself, sometimes you'll be asked where your friends are. As far the couple-ly thing goes, there are a lot of flower shops, benches for two people, and a LOT of cafes which are perfect for dates.

I am sure everyone who has ever written a blog about Korea has said the same things. I'll try to write more observations as the weeks go on, but for now I have to get ready for my buddy orientation where I get to meet my Korean buddy! Every time I have the opportunity to make more friends I get very excited because as an exchange student it can sometimes get lonely. Here's to positive thinking!

I have arrived!

I have arrived in Korea! I finally left Detroit August 20th around 8:00 p.m. after a five hour delay and I arrived in Korea on August 21st at 11:00 p.m. The late arrival messed up my plan of taking the airport bus to my host family's apartment so I had to take a cab instead which stinks because instead of 10,000 won I had to pay 60,000 won (the exchange rate is roughly $1 = 1,000 won). And since it was so late everything in the airport was closed. Of course the only bank that was open gave me a bad exchange rate but when you're desperate you gotta do what you gotta do. After a long flight and a long time in the airport at immigration, my mind wasn't at it's best. I got a cab but totally forgot to write down my host family's address because I thought I would wifi. Luckily I saved the photo of their business card on my phone but even then the writing was so small I guessed at what it said. I guessed correctly and in broken Korean expressed to the cab driver where I had to go. I also told my host mom after I got off the plane (because I had wifi at the time) that I would message her when I left in the cab but since I didn't have wifi I couldn't. I don't know how tourists make it in Seoul because both the cab driver and the security guard of my host family's apartment didn't speak any English.

When I got to the apartment I was really hoping it was the correct one but there was no way to contact my host mom that I was even downstairs because I didn't have wifi. So fortunately the security guard understood what I said and he called the apartment so my host mom was able to meet me downstairs. It's in moments like that where you realize how helpless and alone you really are. It look me some willpower to not break down in tears. Keep in mind that at this point it was almost 1:00 a.m., I'm tired, and I'm stressed by so much unfamiliarity. But it's also in those moments where you really grow as a person. This trip is already making me feel independent.

My host family is great. I live with my host mom and her parents. We didn't talk too much the first night because we were all tired but today we did a lot more talking. They made me breakfast which was so good! I had bulgolgi, rice, kim, pumpkin egg pancakes, and two side dishes. I also had instant coffee, which despite the disgusting stuff you find in the U.S., was quite delicious and smooth. Later my host mom showed me how to use the subway and bus and took me to Sinchon where Yonsei University is located. The public transportation here is beyond perfect. It's just so efficient and accessible. The only downside I'm facing right now is that it's super confusing at first. I know it'll take me a couple more days to adjust and remember certain stops and landmarks.

I know with time things will get much easier, but right now I'm feeling a lot of mixed emotions between being tired from jetlag, the discomfort and stress of unfamiliarity (mostly just being in a big city is enough), and missing certain people from home. I know it's tough now but in time I'll get used to speaking in Korean and being in a home away from home. But on a positive note, I was finally able to eat 밭빙수 for the first time! It's a Korean shaved ice dessert and it was SO refreshing for a hot and very humid summer day like today.

There's so many details I want to go into with everything but I think I'll just save that for later. After all I have a whole year of writing to do!