By Nico Shin (UC Santa Barbara)
Life abroad has a way of teaching you things you never knew you needed to know
Nobody has the same experience studying abroad—that’s part of its beauty. And no matter where your journey leads you, there are always profound lessons to be learned from our interactions with the world around us.
Living abroad in Seoul, South Korea, I encountered a multitude of new experiences and challenges. While I thought I would assimilate easily into South Korean life, I found myself struggling with culture shock.
Over time, however, the obstacles I faced turned into important life lessons. Here are five that I hope to carry with me on my future adventures.
Lesson #1: Preparation is the bridge between dreams and reality
At first, the prospect of studying abroad felt distant and daunting. I was not familiar with the Korean language, my passport was expired, and I wasn’t certain my classes would transfer over. Nonetheless, I was determined to study abroad in South Korea. While I am half Korean, I never felt extremely close to the culture; this opportunity was a chance to change that.
Luckily, time was on my side.
Over the course of seven months, I committed myself to thorough preparation. I completed the paperwork, practiced the language, and ultimately achieved my goal of studying in South Korea – a dream I had held for so long.
Another instance where preparation proved indispensable was in my photography pursuits. Determined to explore this passion while in Seoul, I made sure to pack my camera essentials and actively seek opportunities within the photography industry. These efforts paid off when I had the chance to attend a fashion show and shadow a professional photographer in Apgujeong, Seoul.
Through these experiences, I learned that even the most daunting goals can be achieved with consistent effort, determination, and foresight.
Lesson #2: Wherever you go, there you are
I had heard this phrase many times in my life but only began to understand it during my time abroad. Before living in Seoul, I assumed I would be a completely different version of myself while living abroad. I would dress better, speak differently, and be more outgoing.
Once I started classes and began settling into daily life in this new country, I noticed, to my surprise, that I was very much the same self.
My insecurities and nervousness about meeting new people still existed in South Korea. While I was thousands of miles away from home and everything I knew, I did not change immediately. Over time, I could reframe what made me nervous into opportunities to learn and be curious. I even connected with new friends over these shared challenges.
I realized that it was not the change in an environment that would shape me but how I chose to embrace these new experiences that would leave a lasting impact.
Lesson #3: You create your most memorable experiences
While many cherished moments arise spontaneously, my most treasured memories came when I stepped outside my comfort zone to create the experiences I always wanted.
Take, for example, my love for baking and Seoul’s ubiquitous pastry shops. Despite my limited Korean proficiency and lack of experience, I wanted nothing more than to bake in one of these establishments. Armed with Google translate and a splash of bravado, I decided to stop by my local cupcake shop and approach the owner about potential part-time work. While she could not offer me a job, she did offer me a free cupcake-baking lesson!
That experience ended up being one of the highlights of studying abroad, not only for its sheer enjoyment but also because it symbolized my ability to create rewarding and lasting memories for myself.
Lesson #4: Language shapes the way we see the world
One of the classes I took while attending Korea University was titled “Contemporary Korea,” which introduced me to the Sapir-Wharf Hypothesis. Briefly, this hypothesis suggests that the way we view the world is shaped by the structure of our spoken languages.
I observed this hypothesis in action when comparing Korean to English. For example, the common English greeting “How are you?” translates to “Have you eaten lunch?” in Korean. Similarly, there are three different words for rice in Korean, differentiating whether it is cooked, harvested, or unharvested. These linguistic intricacies highlighted for me the significance of food in Korea and the importance of language to a culture.
Learning Korean taught me that language determines how we think and understand one another.
As words influence our environments, cultures, and experiences, I realized the importance of speaking to myself and others with kindness and compassion.
Lesson #5: We are more similar than we are different
Living with a host mother while abroad allowed me to understand the universal nature of the human experience. Despite growing up on other sides of the world, with distinctly different educational and social norms, we encounter many of the same challenges and triumphs.
During our daily family dinners, we discussed anything on our minds. We connected over our shared fear of public speaking, love for adventure, and feelings of homesickness. I was comforted by our similarities and surprised at just how much we had in common.
While there was not much of a language barrier, there were times when we had to draw or demonstrate the points we were trying to make. These silly and humorous instances affirmed that, regardless of our different backgrounds, everyone in this world is just a friend I have not met yet.
Overall, I am grateful for my study abroad experience because it taught me that no matter the circumstance, positive or negative, there is always something to be learned.
As it turns out, the world is one big playground waiting to be explored.
Learn more about studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea
- Read Jodi Felder’s personal account of thriving in South Korea as a Black woman
- Check out the lessons Brandon Yoon learned about family, lost language, and more as a Korean American studying abroad in South Korea
- See all the recommendations and advice from students in their travel guides for Seoul, South Korea:
- Afreen Ali (UC Davis) – bonus tip: keep up with local politics and news!
- Griselda Carolina Torres (UC Santa Cruz) – bonus tip: learn a lot of basic Korean to enrich your experience (Korean people appreciate the effort).
- Gabriela Quiros (UC Irvine) – bonus tip: don’t stay in the Hongdae and Sinchon areas. Kakao apps make it easy not to get lost.
- Anna Lai (UC Los Angeles and UC Irvine) bonus tip: get your winter clothes in Seoul, so fashionable and affordable!
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