Study Abroad and Domestic Study Away

Living in Seoul is something that I have been having a really hard time figuring out how to describe.

The city does not have any good American comparisons, so there are no connections that I am easily able to draw. It is beautiful here. Whenever I walk out of my dormitory building, I find myself staring in awe at the mountain-scape view that is the backdrop of life here. I find myself looking in wonder at how clean the streets are, regardless of the lack of public trash bins; the food tents run primarily by the elderly that serve some of the best food I have ever tasted; the hole-in-the-wall stores with incredible quality goods; the ease of public transportation for wherever you wish to go at any given moment; the kindness of the people around me who try their best to speak English when I struggle with Korean (even though they have no obligation to cater to my language needs); and the overwhelming feeling of belonging I have in a foreign region. I have visited two different palaces since arriving a month ago, one of which I had the pleasure of going during Chuseok and wearing a Hanbok. I have climbed to the top of a Mountain National Park and looked over the entirety of Seoul, feeling overwhelmed by the great inconceivable expanse of the world around me.

It all feels so limitless, and I am so grateful to be existing in this moment. I cannot wait to explore the rest of South Korea and experience all of the nuances of life in the other cities here. I wish this feeling that I have experienced is one that everyone finds at some point in their own adventures.

Alexis visiting Bukhansan National Park:

View at Gyeongbokgung Palace: