A Song, A Walk, A Memory
One evening, after wrapping up a lively Spanish club meeting, I was walking back to my dorm when a familiar song started playing through my headphones: “EVERYTHING” by The Black Skirts.
I first discovered the song during my senior year of high school. I listened to it constantly. Now, I was hearing that same song again — but this time, walking through Seoul after spending time with new friends.
I slowed my pace and really took in the moment. The path back to my dorm felt different. I noticed the cool air and distant city lights and thought about how interesting and beautiful life can be. The laughter from my Spanish club meeting still echoed in my mind, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Spring in Bloom and Studies in Balance
With midterms behind me, I’ve had more time to enjoy the season. Spring has arrived in Seoul. I’ve visited parks, wandered side streets, and admired the blooming cherry blossoms and magnolias across the city. The scenery is breathtaking — vivid flowers line quiet roads, and petals fall like snow.
Although I spent a lot of time studying for exams, I made sure to enjoy the season as it came to life around me. At Seoul National University, my classes have gone well, and the more time I spend here, the more confident I feel about my academic experience and navigating life in a new country.
My professors are incredibly supportive, and I’ve found comfort in the structure of the semester. I am especially thankful for my Spanish professor, Claudia Macias, who has helped me with many aspects of life here.
Language, Laughter and Friendship
Although I’m already fluent in Spanish, one of the more unexpected joys of this experience has been getting even better at it. My advanced Spanish conversation class pushes me in new ways, especially as we explore complex topics and academic vocabulary, but my classmates make the biggest difference. We constantly exchange ideas without even noticing it, teaching each other Korean and Spanish.
For my Spanish midterm, we had an oral presentation where we had to share something the class likely didn’t know, beginning with the phrase “¿Sabían que…?” I learned many cool and random facts from my classmates about topics I never would have looked up myself.
These days, I have made it a habit to start conversations with my Spanish club small group, Mánduz (our group name), by saying “¿Sabían que…?” followed by a fun fact I learned. It’s hilarious watching their reactions.
And of course, I’m continuing my Korean studies through formal classes, but some of the most fun lessons happen through casual conversations. One cultural nuance I recently learned is that in Korean, “친구” (chingu) technically refers only to people born in the same year as you.
I’m the youngest student in my Spanish class, so my classmates like to tease me by saying I only have one true “friend” in the class – my chingu. Everyone else is either a “형” (older brother) or “누나” (older sister) to me. It’s such a simple distinction that reveals how language and age shape relationships
A Quiet Kind of Happiness
There’s a quiet happiness that follows me throughout my days here. It’s not overwhelming or loud, but it’s steady and present in little moments like seeing my name on the attendance sheet, walking from class with music playing in my headphones, or sitting with friends after a long day.
This happiness feels deeper knowing that my parents are proud. Although they didn’t have the opportunity to continue their education, they’ve always encouraged me to pursue mine without limits. They’ve supported me every step of the way. Being here isn’t just about fulfilling my dreams but also honoring theirs.
It’s a special kind of joy, knowing that each class I attend and every new place I explore represents something bigger than just me. I carry my family’s hopes with me, making each experience more meaningful.
Halfway, But Not Done
I’ve reached the halfway point of the semester, and the feeling is hard to describe. On the one hand, I’ve done so much, and it feels like I’ve lived a full story already.
On the other hand, it still feels like I just arrived. Studying abroad is like watching a great show: You want to keep going, but there’s a tiny ache in knowing it will eventually end.
For now, though, there’s still plenty ahead. I’m especially looking forward to Mondays and Wednesdays, which are my favorite days of the week. On Mondays, I meet with my chingu from Spanish class an hour early to practice Spanish. On Wednesdays, we flip it and practice Korean.
This post was contributed by Faustino Rodriguez, a Global Ambassador for Spring 2025. Faustino is a junior studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea.
