Teachers Share their Experiences While Living Abroad!

Recently, a long time friend visited me in Seoul. It was great to have the opportunity to be a tour guide. Also, it was a chance to feel like a tourist myself. One Saturday, my friend and I decided to explore the northern part of Seoul in hanboks. Hanboks are Korean traditional clothes. Like the colorful, vibrant, elegant, gorgeous and regal looking clothes one sees nobility wearing in historical Korean dramas. This was so exciting for me! At that point I’d lived in Seoul for a year and a half, and been a Yonsei University exchange student for a semester in the past, but still hadn’t worn a proper hanbok. I’d only work the top of one for a photo booth session with friends as a student. I want to share the highlight of this day - from my hanbok selecting experience to the two places I explored in my hanbok.

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Tags: Korean culture, hanbok, top things to do in Korea

A great place to visit on your day off from teaching is the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul. One can make a whole day of places to see and things to do due there. It is conveniently located in between Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine. Recently, I had a memorable day visiting Bukchon Hanok Village and found it a must go to location for three main reasons.

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Tags: living in Seoul, bukchon hanok village, cultural activities, hanbok, living in South Korea, korean traditional village

A few close friends recently completed their year of teaching in Korea and returned home to the US. Although it was sad to see them leave, their last few months here were full of new adventures in Seoul. They made a list of things they wanted to accomplish before leaving The Land of Kimchi and I am glad they were serious in completing this to-do list. One Saturday, instead of heading into Seoul to experience the plethora of shopping and dining opportunities that we love, we ventured to a new part of the city and found our way to a traditional Korean hanok (home) where we (for less than $20) learned how to properly drink and serve tea and dressed in hanbok clothing.

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Tags: fashion in Korea, dressing in Korea, Korean culture, a year in Korea, seoul, free time, cultural experience, Activities to do in Korea, cultural activities, hanbok, tea, Weekend activities in Korea