When I first got off the plane at Incheon Airport, I didn’t quite register that I was in a different country yet. The airport was very clean and was equipped with lots of technology that made the process smooth, but it still felt like an airport. We then got on a bus and went into the southern part of Seoul to drop our bags off at the hotel. This is when the “wow” moments started coming.

The first wave of culture shock came with our first meal. As a group, we went to a nearby restaurant that was open, given that it was still six in the morning at that time. Eager to start experiencing Korean cuisine, I got a spicy pork stew. I am typically not a spicy guy back home, but when I say this stew was spicy, I had to take breaks and mild the heat with some rice. Beyond the heat, this meal was packed with lessons about Korean meals. For example, chopsticks, spoons, and napkins are located in a drawer on the side of the table. A huge difference from western restaurant experiences, is that if you need your waiter for anything, you press a call button or yell “yeogiyo”, which literally means “here”. This would come off as extremely rude back home or in Europe, so I was shocked by this being the standard. Also, even without ordering any sides, the waiter brought out water, kimchi, radish kimchi, onions, a spicy chili sauce, and rice. This later became a common theme, with one of meals later coming with a total of 18 sides. This first meal really set the tone for the rest of the trip, and each new meal was a new experience of flavor.

The second moment I realized I was in Korea was using the subway for the first time. That same day, we took the subway to Northern Seoul to see the biggest royal palace in the city. We received T-money cards from our local guide and learned a little bit about the process of the subway. At first it was really overwhelming, with 23 lines spread across the humongous city. The real shock came when we got on the subway. It was silent! People sat and stood quietly, listening to music, reading a book, or just being still. People were also respectful getting on and off the subway, waiting for those getting off to exit before orderly stepping in. There were also designated seats for the elderly, disabled, and women bearing children. Even when it got packed during rush hour, people remained polite and respectful despite being smooshed together. All of this was different from the often times noisy and hectic bus rides I’ve experienced in Pittsburgh, and though confusing at first, was one of the easiest subway systems I’ve ever used.

The last part of my initial culture shock was after getting off the subway and visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace. With the traditional Korean architecture, traditional Korean clothing worn by visitors, and the changing of the guard ceremony, it truly felt like I was in a faraway land in an ancient time of the past. I had never been in an eastern palace before, and it blew me away. I loved the beauty in the design of the palace, the traditional Giwa roofs, and the colors and imagery in every corner. After that first day of food, subway riding, and palace visiting, I had no doubt I was in Korea.

I personally find the shock of new places and cultures to be a fun aspect of traveling. Though the new food and eating atmosphere was completely different, it encouraged me to try new foods. Back home, I get in the habit of eating my same favorite meals, but by trying new things on this trip, it will encourage me to spice up my meals when I get back to Pittsburgh. Seeing new cultures is also a reminder that not everything is perfect or the most efficient in America. We do lots of things really well, but the subway in Seoul was just one example of how other countries are ahead in areas like urban transportation. This is humbling but shows how we can take inspiration from the successes in other countries. Lastly, the royal palace taught me to take pride in my own history and have curiosity for the history of others. It was really cool to see locals and tourists alike dress up in traditional Korean clothing. It was a good reminder that each country, city, or even small remote town has a rich history that is interesting and full of stories and culture. I can’t wait to learn more through my time in Korea.