Looking back on my time in Korea, it is honestly hard to put the entire experience into words. I came into this program excited to live somewhere new, gain internship experience, and learn more about Korean culture. I expected to have a great summer, but I did not expect this experience to mean as much to me as it does now. Between my internship, the people I met, the places I visited, and everything I learned about myself, Korea ended up being one of the best experiences of my life.
One of my biggest takeaways from inside the classroom was realizing how much more there is to learn when you are actually living in another culture. You can read about cultural differences or talk about international business in a classroom, but it is completely different when you experience those differences yourself. I learned a lot about Korean culture, business, and the way people communicate. At my internship with a K-beauty company, I was able to see some of these differences firsthand. Working on marketing and social media also gave me experience in an industry that I had never worked in before. I learned how to take feedback, adapt to changes, and become more comfortable working on things when I did not immediately know the answer.
At the same time, I think some of the most important things I learned happened outside of the classroom and office. Living in Korea forced me to become more independent. I had to navigate a completely new city, deal with a language barrier, meet new people, and adjust to a lifestyle that was unfamiliar to me. At first, even small things could feel intimidating because everything was new. As the summer went on, I became much more comfortable figuring things out for myself.
I think that is probably the biggest way I have grown. I am leaving Korea much more confident in myself and much more willing to do things that scare me. Before this experience, there were definitely opportunities I might have avoided because they were outside of my comfort zone. Now I have seen what can happen when I just say yes and figure things out along the way. Moving across the world for a summer seemed like such a huge step before I did it, and now I cannot imagine not having had this experience.
My favorite memories are honestly difficult to narrow down to one specific moment. Of course, I will remember exploring Korea, trying new foods, experiencing the culture, and seeing places that I had only ever seen online. However, the people I met are what made those experiences so special. Some of my favorite memories are not necessarily the biggest trips or events. They are the random nights, conversations, meals, and moments with friends that I never could have planned before coming here. I met some of the best people through this program, and it is crazy to think that we all started the summer as strangers. They became such a huge part of my experience, and saying goodbye to everyone was easily one of the hardest parts.
If I could give one piece of advice to future students, it would be to take advantage of everything. Say yes to things even if you are tired, nervous, or unsure. Talk to people you normally might not approach. Try the food you have never heard of. Explore without always needing a perfect plan. Do not spend the entire experience worrying about what is happening at home. The summer goes by so much faster than you think it will, and eventually the things that initially felt unfamiliar become the things you are going to miss the most.
I would also tell future students that it is okay to be uncomfortable sometimes. There will probably be moments when you are confused, homesick, overwhelmed, or unsure of yourself. That is part of living somewhere completely new. Some of the moments that challenged me the most were also the moments that helped me grow the most. By the end of the program, things that would have made me nervous at the beginning barely bothered me anymore.
I came to Korea expecting an internship and a summer abroad. I am leaving with so much more than that. I gained professional experience, learned about another culture, became more independent, and made friendships and memories that I hope stay with me for a very long time. Most importantly, I learned that I am capable of pushing myself much further outside of my comfort zone than I thought.
If I could go back to the beginning of the summer and tell myself one thing, it would be to enjoy every second of it because it goes by way too fast. I would do this experience again in a heartbeat. Korea will always be incredibly special to me, not just because of where I went or what I did, but because of who I became while I was there.