South Korea: Manasa Anumalasetty (5 senses in Seoul)

Moving to a new city is surely a daunting task, but as scary as it is, it is equally rewarding. From little things like figuring out how to get places, to bigger tasks like making friends there are so many rewarding experiences I’ve had within my first month here in Seoul. Yesterday marked my first full month here in Seoul and I can confidently say that I am thoroughly enjoying myself while also anticipating all the new experiences I will gain in the next three months.

See

If you thought walking up Bascom hill was hard, think again! Though I knew that the terrain here in Korea was hilly, my legs were definitely not as prepared. Within my first week here I had walked up and down so many hills that I started noticing my calf muscles grow! There’s something so fun about walking up and down different hills while I explore.

Along with there being tons of hills, there are also many beautiful mountains that are open to people who enjoy hiking! Though I haven’t gotten the chance to go hiking yet, I’m hoping to go soon as the weather has been getting warmer.

Taste 

The food here has been phenomenal! Not only has the food been delicious, it is also super affordable. Today as I write this post, I am drinking a coffee that cost me 2000 won which is equivalent to ~$1.50! Every street here is littered with tons of cafes with different selections of coffees, teas, smoothies, and baked goods. Not only are there tons of cafes, but many of them have absolutely stunning interiors. There is an abundance of themed cafes here. Within just a month I have got the chance to go to a cat cafe, a traditional railway cafe, a *kakao friends cafe, and so many more beautiful cafes.

Not only is the coffee here affordable and delicious,but so is the food! Korean food focuses on dishes that use tons of vegetables, meats, rice or noodles, and other side dishes. I have absolutely enjoyed the food here as the variety of restaurants here allows me to try so many new things at a great price point. Here in Korea, most young people normally eat out for meals, meaning I have gotten the chance to explore the food scene here! I have gotten the chance to try some amazing Korean classics like Tteokbokki, Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew), Korean BBQ, and so many more flavorful dishes.

Smell 

As spring approaches, I have found myself surrounded by the scent of blooming flowers. Here in Korea, springtime means the welcoming of the beautiful cherry blossom trees. I have found myself walking around on my university’s campus, taking in the pleasant smell of blooming flowers. Around our campus there are small walking trails that are lined with different trees and bushes that have started blooming with beautiful flowers.

Along with the smell of flowers, I have found myself surrounded by the smells of mouth watering foods! There is nothing more tempting than walking past a bakery because you are surrounded by the smell of fresh breads! Here in Korea, I have been able to go to many cool bakeries that offer assortments of Korean inspired pastries like butter rolls filled with red bean paste! I have also bought bbeungobang (Fish shaped pastries) after following the sweet smell to small bakeries!

Feel 

There are tons of worries that I had before coming to Korea, as I’m sure most students studying abroad experience. But the kindness of people here has helped me find my footing more than anything. There are little cultural differences that I was definitely not prepared for, but the longer I was here, the easier it got to navigate daily life.

There are two funny experiences that stand out to me that I’d like to share which may help prospective Korea visitors feel more prepared. First, when you are done eating your food at a restaurant, you can take your tray back to the counter where you ordered. I learned this one of the first few days I was here, as I finished my food and was unsure what to do with my tray. I was too worried about my Korean skills to ask at the counter so I waited until someone else was done with their food and watched what they did. The second little thing I learned here was that there are little push buttons by sliding doors to open them. I learned this when I went to a store that had sliding doors. As an American I am used to a sensor that would open the door, so when I approached the door and it didn’t open, I was perplexed. I tried to gently push the door, thinking that it may be a push door instead. When that didn’t work I stepped away from the door and waited until someone else was entering the store to see how they did it. What I realized was that there was a little button that said push, which opened the door. When I saw that button earlier I had assumed that it meant to push the door but I was definitely wrong. Though these are small differences they really do show the small environmental differences that make countries so different from each other.

Hear 

For the first time since I started learning Korean, I am surrounded by people speaking primarily in Korean. I have really enjoyed this aspect of studying here in Korea as it has really helped me improve my confidence with using Korean in casual daily exchanges. Though I had been learning Korean before I came to Korea, being able to actively use it has allowed me to progress my Korean language skills much faster and it allows me to feel more confident in my communication abilities.

 

 

Manasa Anumalasetty

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Major: Psychology & Political Science

Program: Ewha University Exchange

One goal I have for my program is to become as fluent as possible in Korean, by interacting with native speakers. I look forward to learning about Korean culture, practices, and history.