19 December, 2017 11:39 AM" LAST THOUGHTS " 안녕히 계세요 Comfort in our failures allows us to act without fear, to engage without judgment, to love without conditions. It is like the dog that lets the tail go and realizes that it’s already a part of himself. Packing up my bags and spending the past four and a half months vagabonding throughout South Korea was the most challenging yet rewarding decision I have ever made and I would never take it back. You learn a lot. About people, about the world, about life and most importantly you learn more about yourself. Sometimes lessons come at unwanted times and it will give you unwanted truths. Other times you learn things you can't unlearn and see things you can't un-see. Regardless, you will grow in ways that you can't learn until one goes beyond their home, and by beyond I mean a completely different country. So, here is what I have learned during my stay in Seoul. We've talked about the hardships being abroad - being homesick, making real friends, being safe, learning social norms and even misreading people you once trusted. But these facets of life is what forms you, not conform you. I believe that these perceptions are followed by enlightenment. It has been a long five months for sure and I simply can't wait to be bolstered by the reunions of my family and friends a day before Christmas Eve. . Studying in a country I have never been in forced me to face obstacles head on. I can't even explain the amount of times I have embarrassed myself here - whether it be stuttering in hangul (Korean Language) or ordering something extremely foreign whilst holding my internal american exposes just to prevent myself from saying something silly in the moment of confusion. Though, I learned that the mass majority of people really do not care what I say. Most of them would simply laugh and it is liberating. This is something you can not learn while sitting comfortably at home and spending you life commuting to the same locations every day. I have learned and am still learning how to appreciate life's simplest experiences. Moreover, finding healthier means in life: appreciating simple friendships, creating something beautiful, lending a simple hand, and laughing with someone you care about this is something I live by everyday. I've learned the hard way that ones greatest assets is not necessarily talent or experiences, it is time. Time gives you the opportunity in taking risks and making mistakes. You can only get away with these things while you're "young", which is why I believe studying abroad is such an invigorating opportunity. INSIGHT :
Dear South Korea, this experience has been absolutely ineffable. Except the cold, the snow, and the occasional "ice skating" to class conditions in December. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for everything you've had to offer and I hope to see you again!
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12 December 2017 10:14 AM" DON'T DROP THAT GPA " Silver Bells | Yesterday marked my last presentation of the semester and I haven't started my studies for finals week yet. Well it is now the perfect time to start. But rather so, here I am writing my feelings away instead. It's nice sitting in cafes as it lets me know that I am not the only one in this predicament. How I know that I am not the only one suffering: First, there is an unusual taste for coffee and/or sugar amongst every uni student. Secondly, everyone is awake at ungodly hours. Just to visualize, cafes are filled at 3:47 AM and some, well most uni students sleep ever so conformably in these cafes and seize to move out of their area of proclaimant. Thirdly, the odd increase of consistent note takers/studiers who rise to the occasion during the week before finals. All and all, we (Korea University students) can all relate to the general societal breakdowns and communicate through incoherent groans as we approach our impending doom, finals. Okay, I am exaggerating just a bit but my first final is tomorrow but I am pretty confident! So what happened this week? I took a break from studying and went to Tongin Market (통인시장) a public food market. What is unique about Tongin Market is that visitors can opt in to pay 5,000 won ($4.50) to try a lunchbox cafe. So this is how it works: You are given a lunch plate (similar to the ones we'd get in grade school) and a string of 10 coins to pay the vendors. The coins are worth 500 won and most dishes range in prices of 500 won (one coin) to 1000 won (two coins) per dish. You would slowly fill up your plate and go to a designated eating area where you can also purchase miso soup and rice for 1,000 won. This is the perfect place for those who are adventurous and would like to try various Korean dishes! Contrary, I absolutely am in love with how cafes in Seoul are playing Christmas songs. It makes me even more excited to come home this time of year. Soon it will be Christmas day. But first, finals. . 3 December 2017 10:43 PM"APPROACHING FINALS WEEK" CHATOYANT | A day closer to the most wonderful time of the year means a day closer to finals. But it also means a day closer to being home. The holiday spirit in Seoul is probably the only holiday that Seoulites physically express as you see streets covered in Christmas lights. Contrary to note, as an update on my courses, I realized that there is one common trend for english speaking classes which are presentations. Every single class has one to three presentations and needless to say it is one of the most mind boggling tasks that I have to do in KUBS. The reason being is that not everyone presents. In a group of lets say 6, a maximum of two members will present, or in other cases one member will present on the behalf of the other 5, which yes if you concluded I was selected as being the solo presenter for two of my four courses! On a happier note I have been on a museum binging-spree. This weeks museum is MCMA which is free for University students. Now a days the weather in Seoul would occasionally have "dandruff" snow and it has been absolutely beautiful. A short walk away from the museum is Insadong, the perfect place to pick up Korean souvenirs. Also, if you want to do more shopping, particularly for beauty goods, Myeongdong is three stations away from Insadong! Weirdly enough I wouldn't think I'd miss the Chinatown back home as bad as I thought I did when I was walking through Chinatown Incheon. It was a 1.5 hour subway ride from Korea University and it was well worth it. The food was absolutely drool worthy as you would see stalls left to right. The surrounding area of Incheon Chinatown offers activities such as Jayu Park, Fairy Tale Mural Village, Jajangmyun Museum, and the Incheon Art Platform! What is really nice is that they are all within walking distances from one another. |
AuthorCindy is an epicurist, a food photographer, and a self-proclaimed creative writer. When Cindy isn't studying at Korea University Business School (2017), she can be found in cafes, asking random seoulites for directions, or singing at noraebangs (korean karaoke). Archives
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