Meet Caroline, from the United States! She spent a year in Korea, studying on Jeju Island and exploring Seoul. Her love for Korean culture grew through her experiences and meeting her husband. Caroline enjoyed local cafes, ocean walks, and the cherry blossoms. She dreams of returning to visit family and friends.
Interview – Study in Korea
- WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
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United States
- WHAT DO YOU DO IN KOREA?
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I traveled to Korea and lived there for 1 year while studying at a college on Jeju Island. I also traveled to Seoul during my year and enjoyed exploring Jeju Island during holidays and my free time.
- WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN KOREA?
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I enjoy Korean culture and experiencing other cultures, but I started getting more interested in the language and culture when I met my boyfriend (now husband)😊
- WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN THIS CITY?
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I stayed in the city of Aewol-eup (애월읍) on Jeju Island, South Korea because that is where my school was. It is such a cute little city with a beautiful view of the ocean😊 there are many tangerine fields and it’s very “country” style. Many farmers with an occasional cafe tucked between the homes.
- WHERE IS YOUR LOCAL RECOMMENDATION IN THIS CITY?
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I recommend the cafe Sogil-Dabang as well as Cafe Oksu. There is also a really well-known street of Cherry Blossoms that is so beautiful in the Spring. Many people came to visit and take photos on the street! They even have a Cherry Blossom festival and close the street down to make it safe for people.
- WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST WHILE STAYING ABROAD?
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My favorite thing to do was visit the local cafes. I also really enjoyed walking at night along the ocean while watching the squid boats light up the ocean. They looked like stars in the sea. Also, shopping is a must in Korea because everything is soooo cute and reasonably priced!
- WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE BEING IN KOREA?
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I went to Korea without knowing the language and so I had a really hard time being confident to approach people and talk to them (not knowing if they speak English). Also, it is hard for foreigners to take public transportation and use korean maps if you don’t have a Korean SIM card. I think since I went to Korea, they have made it a little easier. But especially on Jeju island, there were not many buses and I had no way of calling a taxi, so I had to ask classmates to do it for me or to go with me.
- WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KOREA AND YOUR COUNTRY?
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I noticed that (maybe just the younger generation) of Koreans are not very independent (compared to America). They do everything together, so if I invited them to go with me to a cafe, they would not go unless the other Korean girl students would go too. Also, I am not used to everyone wearing similar things😅 lots of neutral colors and long black padded jackets in the winter. The health system is also so quick and cheap!
- DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS?
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I met my husband in Korea so that changed my life forever. We were classmates and found out our feelings for eachother around Christmas time. And two years later, we were married!
- WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?
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My dream is to go back a lot in the future to visit my In-laws and friends I made there. Also, learn Korean really well so I can communicate better with my Husband’s family in Korea.
- MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS WHO WILL GO TO KOREA.
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Go for it! Korea is such a beautiful country. Just like every culture, it has its pros and cons, but I hope you can go and see the beauty in both! (And a side note to our foreign friends, bring your own deodorant! It’s more expensive and hard to find there:)
- HOW DO YOU LEARN KOREAN?
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Talk To Me in Korean taught me how to read and write Hangul almost fluently. They also teach grammar and common phrases, plus it’s all free!
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