When writing this blog post, it will have been almost two weeks since I returned from South Korea to the United States after my study abroad program. I am currently still in the mourning stage and processing what I can confidently say was the best summer of my entire life.
Ever since I became familiar with college, studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. Yet during my time at Berkeley, I found myself holding back from making this dream a reality for many reasons. I thought about costly responsibilities, the long process of actually enrolling, and my internal fear of navigating a foreign country by myself.
However, every single person I know and have heard of who has studied abroad has said nothing but amazing things about their experiences, and the phrase I hear almost every time is that studying abroad changed their life.
Going into my senior year, I knew I had limited time to decide whether to study abroad. I still had so many fears and what-ifs about the process, but I decided to apply almost two weeks before the deadline, knowing this would be one of the last opportunities to do so.
My dream destination was South Korea, and I wanted to study at Yonsei University, one of the country's most prestigious universities. Over the past few years, I have fallen in love with Korean media, music, and dramas (thank you, BTS!), and have become exposed to a culture so different from my own. I am someone who likes to immerse myself in what I am passionate about; it is where I feel I learn the most, rather than reading or watching on a screen or in a textbook. This is why I knew studying abroad was meant for me, and when I got accepted into my program, I knew there was only one option: to go.
Boarding my 13-hour flight from LAX to Korea was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life so far, with little to no knowledge of Korean, heading 5,000 miles away from home for two months with my Jungkook photocard and a dream. You can imagine the anxiety a 21-year-old college student might feel. But as soon as I got a glimpse of Seoul with my own eyes, I felt my soul at its happiest it has ever been.
There is no feeling that quite compares to seeing a view you have only ever seen on a screen in real life. And all I know is I was absolutely beaming those first 24 hours in Korea, if not my entire trip. The endless amount of coffee shops, chic fashion, and vibrant city life felt unreal to me. This was a recurring feeling for me while I was there; I cannot believe I am here.
On the drive to my hotel and in my room that night, I thought about how I was about to immerse myself in this environment and learn so much. And now that I have done it, I can write to tell the story.
There is something so freeing about being in a place where you don’t know anyone or anything. Everything is new and exciting. And when you feel you can resonate with your environment, it is the best part. I found this in many ways throughout my trip.
Studying abroad at Yonsei allowed me to meet individuals from all over the world, and even those close to me back in California. Through my dorm floormates, class partners, and most excitingly, those who actually live in Korea. I found myself learning more about Korea and others' love for the country while also sharing my own life experiences so far. Those small conversations became exchanges of phone numbers and 2 a.m. karaoke hangouts without even knowing it.
I became even closer to my passion for dancing while in Korea. From taking classes with some of my favorite choreographers and in dance studios I had only ever learned from through my computer. I was so in awe and inspired by those around me.
My interest in fashion and beauty was at its peak while here. I saw the unique style and clothing that Korea offers, as well as the highly advanced skincare and makeup compared to those in the United States.
The diverse and amazing range of cafes to try, with new spots to discover, fulfilled the coffee addict in me.
My Yonsei professors and fellow academics allowed me to experience the Korean education system firsthand, drawing on their expertise to inform my own career as an educator.
And most notably, the never-ending amount of K-pop-related pop-ups and activities to participate in.
There is still so much more I know I have yet to process fully. But I know I felt so connected to this seemingly new environment, somewhere I feel is made entirely for me. It can be hard to describe what it means to feel drawn to a place where you feel you belong, but I know that part of my soul belongs in Seoul! I am even now, at this moment, thinking about my plans to travel to Korea again next Summer, and so forth. Maybe my future will unfold there, and I live to see how my connection to Korea plays out, but I am forever tied to this city and country, more than I think I have felt anywhere in my life thus far.
So if you have been debating studying abroad or have never thought about it much before, take this as your sign.
It will change your life :)