By Meg Rayner, Contributing Writer
Seoul has been the city of my dreams. I have long wished to study abroad from home and the College’s Center for Global Education is one of the many reasons I picked Gettysburg College. My days are diverse and filled with fun. Every day is full of new places, new people and new experiences. My summer was dull but full of anticipation for my next adventure. The independence that it takes to live in a foreign country on my own is something that can only be mustered through a dedication to grow as a person, student and friend.
My high-rise apartment view overlooks Hongdae — the nightlife central of Seoul. I see neon lights and skyscrapers. Seoul contains a multitude of scenery that I never get bored of. Tall buildings seeded between the mountains that run through the city that intertwine nature and urban settings. My favorite part of Seoul is the Han River, which splits Seoul into a lower and upper half. The river has a special place in my heart as I have fond memories of picnicking with friends as the sun lowered into the horizon.
I’ve met so many new life-long friends here and it has filled my heart with joy. Learning Korean has been a large part of my time here and I am glad to say I love it! Throughout high school, I struggled with language classes and thought that I never had a knack for learning a second language. However, I missed a key part of learning a second language — the WANT to learn a second language. Day by day I find myself being able to pick up more Korean and my classes have helped immensely. To tell the truth, I still mostly nod and smile when I am spoken to, but I am getting there!
To any students who wish to study abroad in Seoul, please come! Yonsei University is one of the top universities in Korea and offers such unique experiences. I have attended many sports games with their rival, Korea University, and Yonsei possesses an intense school spirit. Their cheer squad, which is far different than an American cheer squad, dresses up in school regalia and cheers for the entirety of the game and leads the crowd in chants and songs.
Yonsei also has some of the most beautiful architecture. If you are a K-drama watcher, it is featured in many famous shows so you will recognize the campus! While I have gone to many of the instagrammable spots, there is so much more that this city can offer you. I feel as if I have discovered a piece of myself in Seoul and hope to carry my memories with me as I return to Gettysburg.
This article originally appeared on page 16 of the No. 2 October 2024 edition of The Gettysburgian’s magazine.
