Summer in Seoul

Hello all, Thank you for joining me as my adventure comes to a close. This will be my overall second-to-last post, and the last post I will write while in Korea. Last week I did much, so I will only briefly recount my experiences and will let the pictures do the hard work for me!  Since my time here is coming to a close, I have been reflecting on the impact that this program has had upon me. For the first three or four weeks, I simply went about life and adjusted to my routine here. I am still doing those things, but I am now realizing that when I return home, I will be a changed person. I will reflect more upon this in the final post, but I'd like to thank all of you for keeping up with this blog. Last Tuesday and Wednesday, we had class as usual, but on Tuesday, we ended up just having conversation in Korean for an hour of class before we started working on our materials. That was quality time, but it reminded us that such opportunities will soon not be so close at h

Dear readers, I hope that you are all well as you read this update. I'm starting my second-to-last week here in Korea, and the thought of departure is looming over me. Before the weekend, I recompiled the Korea bucket list that I made before I came, and there are still over 20 items! I don't think I'll be able to knock out them all, but I will certainly be busy for the next two weeks as I attempt to. However, that is not to say that I haven't done a lot. This past weekend was enjoyably full of exploration and bonding time with host family. I did not go on many excursions during the week because of schoolwork - last week was definitely the most intellectually fulfilling week of program simply because of the amount I learned in class. I learned several new grammar points, and being able to use them in everyday speech is indescribably satisfying. Toward the end of the week, though, when the work was winding down, I got out and experienced the arts scene of Seoul. O

Dear readers, As I write, I am refreshed to reflect upon my time in Seoul. However, I am also saddened. I have become used to life here, all the factors, large and small, that make this country drastically different than my own, and I am reminded that my time here is halfway through. Friday marked the halfway point, and I have been thinking about this experience, this way of living, if you will, and I do not want to leave. I have the privilege of being able to explore in everything I do. Whether it is in asking how to find a certain place, eating new foods with my friends, or gathering with my host family for a meal, I cannot help but learn. I spent a lot of time studying this past week because the midterm exam was on Friday, but I still got out and did some fun things after classes. On Wednesday I went with a group of friends to 여의도 (Yeo-i-do), an island in the Han River, and after walking around and chatting at the modern-looking but aesthetically pleasing park there, we ren