I’m wrapping up my second week at Korea University, almost a month after arriving in Seoul. The whirlwind of new experiences has been both exhilarating and eye-opening.
I vividly recall the mix of nerves and excitement when I bid farewell to my father at the airport. Traveling alone for the first time and venturing into Asia felt monumental. My mind raced with worries: What if I lose my luggage? What if my phone doesn’t work?
Despite meticulous preparation for my study abroad adventure, the reality that Korea would become my home for the next five months was daunting. Yet, as the plane descended into Incheon, my anxiety transformed into excitement and anticipation.
Signs in Hangul (written Korean), English, Chinese and Japanese, along with the sounds of Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese, signaled the beginning of my immersion in this vibrant new place.
Having arrived three weeks before the academic term started, I spent most of my time exploring Seoul by myself. From historical sites to new culinary experiences and mastering the public transportation system, each day brought a sense of adventure and independence.
One of the most memorable moments came when I decided to join a pickup basketball game at a nearby outdoor court. As the only girl, I felt a pang of fear, amplified by the need to communicate in Korean.
During a break in the game, I heard some players speaking Chinese and decided to ask one of them in my best Chinese if I could join. To my surprise, he responded in English — only some in the group spoke Chinese! Nevertheless, I played basketball in a different country and made new friends.
Later, I decided to join Korea University’s club basketball team. We practice twice a week and compete in tournaments across Korea!
In Korea, women’s sports often lack the same level of funding and visibility as they’ve achieved even in the U.S. It was refreshing to see the dedicated girls on the women’s basketball team organize and commit to their club with passion.
I am incredibly grateful to experience how sports can bridge cultural gaps and foster connections beyond language barriers. This experience solidified my motivation to pursue a career in sports medicine, in hopes that more people can engage in the universal language of movement and health.
At The University of Texas at Austin, I relished meeting individuals from beyond Texas, so encountering peers from across the globe has been an enlightening experience. As school life picked up, I continued participating in campus events and meeting new people. Conversations about diverse topics — from France’s education system to sunsets in Norway and the growing Asian population in Italy — have broadened my worldview.
Observing Korea’s sophisticated public transportation system highlighted how history, culture and infrastructure intertwine to shape daily life. Korea’s rapid modernization provided a “clean slate” for its transit system, unlike countries with older infrastructure where such developments are less feasible.
Witnessing the countless intertwining factors that influence how people live has allowed me to develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding toward others. This skill is not only vital to my future medical career but also to my ability to live a more fulfilling life.
This journey has profoundly deepened my empathy and broadened my understanding of others, challenging my previous assumptions. I learned that I’d underestimated the level of English proficiency among international students. I’d also mistakenly assumed that interest in Korean culture was a recent global phenomenon, not recognizing that other Asian countries have long embraced it.
Moments of reflection reveal the extent of my growth, whether it’s observing how some of my Korean friends grapple with beauty standards that engulf their self-worth or explaining to my Kazakh friend how the 40-hour workweek is the norm in the U.S. As I continue to settle into life in Korea, I eagerly look forward to more discoveries, opportunities to question my beliefs and ongoing exploration of my own identity.
This post was contributed by Kamen Wong, a Global Ambassador for Fall 2024. Kamen is a junior studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea.
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