Teachers Share their Experiences While Living Abroad!

It’s summer! I really enjoy outdoor activities, trips out of Seoul, and extreme activities. I’ve already explored three caves, rode three bike rails, taken a scenic cable car, river rafted, climbed a few mountains, paraglided and more in Korea’s countryside. On my most recent one day trip, I only had only one activity in mind!  I wanted cross bungee jumping off my bucket list! It was a somewhat spontaneous trip.

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.

A popular hobby many Koreans are picking up is rock climbing. Thus, the number of rock climbing gyms are starting to increase. The landscape of Korea is great for rock climbing. There are many mountains that offer climbers great spots to climb while enjoying the lush beauty of the nature around them. However, before being able to rock climb out in nature, one should train indoors. Some of my friends took up this hobby while living in Korea and invited me to join.

Recently, I was finally able to convince a few of my friends to go on a DMZ tour with me. I say ‘finally’, because going to the DMZ isn’t particularly popular among Koreans. My male friends in particular said they dislike their time serving their military service, thus they whined saying “why do I have to go back” when I would suggest it. Still, I got my way!

One of the highlights of my last couple months here in Seoul is definitely my home. There are so many things I adore about it, from many runs to my favorite place in the world, Daiso, to rummaging in flea markets for salvaged wood, to being able to expand my pantry and become a more inspired cook. Two big highlights to mention are that I was the first tenant to move into my place, and when I arrived it smelled like fresh paint; and it’s a forty-five second walk to work. It would literally take me longer to cycle and then chain my bike. But the best part so far has been the experience I’ve had with my landlord, Mr. Jeong. I’ve never lived somewhere and felt so heard and cared for.

Lately, I stumbled upon a very lucky find. A fitness center near my work had a small fire not long ago. Nothing serious, but enough of a cause to close down and do a partial remodel. Sounds terrible. But the point is they had to remodel, and this disrupted their business. Get where I am going with this now? Discounts!

Living and teaching in Korea is filled with unique experiences. Often opportunities arise that should not be missed! Life in Korea can be filled with adventure if you embrace new challenges and venture outside of your comfort zone. 

So what does it take to truly embrace Korea? The only way to see the country and understand the people, is to travel into the countryside or to local areas. Go beyond the tourist spots and find yourself stranded among rice paddies or the mountainside. Rural Korea is where the heart of Korea is. Most people who live in the bigger cities grew up in the countryside. If you want to understand your Korean friends, it is important t understand their upbringing and where they come from. 

Last month the first part of my bucket list was about the Top 5 Unique things to do in Korea. Part 2 is focusing on the Top 5 Unique places to visit in Korea. 

Having lived in and around Seoul going on three years, there are number of places that are near and dear to my heart. Since I have the goal of visiting as many places as possible during my time teaching in Korea, I would like to bring to your attention one of my favorite places to see, Namsan Tower.