Studying Abroad in South Korea

Hey guys! It’s been a long time since I’ve updated my blog, but that’s because I spent my summer studying Korean at Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea!

(Here’s a link to my Google Photos album from this summer: https://photos.app.goo.gl/MogteJw4JRC8sGz97)

 

Just in case any of my Korean friends or supporters read this, here’s a message to you all:

한국에서는 할 수 없었던 말이 너무 많은데, 여기서 알려드릴게요~

가끔 조용하기도 했지만, 한상 여러분 곁에 있어서 행복했어요. 여러분 덕분에 저는 즐거운 여름을 보냈어요. 행복하고 건강하시길 바래요.  LA에 오시면 연락주세요! 그경시켜 드릴께요. 우리가 다시 만나면 좋겠어요. 계속 친구합시다.

김주연

 

Now let’s get back to the bloggy part! B)

Wondering how I got this opportunity as a high schooler? Well, I got accepted into the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth program! I also did the program virtually last year due to Covid, but this year I was lucky enough to go in person!

• Shoutout to my 베프 (bestie) Greta, since we got to spend our summer together after being online classmates <3

I’ve been back for over a month now, but I wanted to wait and let my emotions “marinate” before reflecting on this experience. I’ll probably come back and update this post from time to time, but as a whole, I can say this study abroad was a positive turning point in my life.

 

Words can’t describe how grateful I am for the friends, teachers, and supporters I met this summer. Regardless of coming from different backgrounds and speaking different languages, all of us came together to have an amazing summer.

 

When I first arrived in Korea, I had to do a 2-week quarantine at a government facility (aka a hotel). Being locked in a room alone was honestly a good time for self-reflection, and it gave me all the time in the world to review my Korean before going out into society. Once I was released, I headed northbound to a city named Paju for orientation.

 

After our two-day orientation in Paju and meeting our host families at Hanyang University, I officially began what I’d like to call the best adventure of my life so far!!

 

Being alone in a foreign country was a great way for me to practice being independent, and ultimately gave me time to explore Seoul as I pleased! Outside of taking Korean language classes at Hanyang University, I also spent my Thursdays going on cultural excursions with 3 of some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. (1조 화이팅~)

I won’t name everyone who made this the trip of a lifetime, but if you’re reading this you know who you are : )

 

In terms of my language learning skills, I definitely notice a difference in how comfortable I am speaking Korean. On paper, my level increased from Intermediate Low to Intermediate Mid, but I’ve gone from barely being able to order food at a restaurant to having full-on conversations with locals!