University of Wisconsin–Madison

South Korea: Global Gateway Summer 2026 (Discoveries)

Program: UW Global Gateway in South Korea, Summer

Tanya E-J: “That’s new to me” Moment

As I first walked through the city of Seoul, plenty of things stood out to me, from not finding a trash bin anywhere to people running to catch a green light. In America, one would get looked at as weird for even speed walking down the street, in Korea, it is not something out of the ordinary.

People in Seoul are much more polite and in a way moderate in comparison to what I see in the United States. I have noticed this in the way Korean’s dress. They dress business casual for any and every event even if it means going to the convenience store. I typically only ever see people looking professional if they are someone important, attending an event, or doing business. Another example of Koreans being polite is saying thank you by bowing everywhere we go which goes to show their respect towards foreigners.

Overall this program has been amazing and I have been more than honored to participate in this experience with my fellow teammates and learn more about Korean culture with them.

Aubrie H: Sustainability in Seoul

Who would know that the hardest feature to adapt to in Seoul, South Korea would be finding a trash can in the city. After finishing off several of my boba teas or different containers of street food, the next objective would always be to find the nearest trash can. The chances of finding anything close to a trash can while wandering the streets are very slim, and instead the best option is returning your trash to the business you had bought your meal/beverage from or on the way to your nearest subway station.

종량제 (Jongnyangje), is South Korea’s mandatory volume-based waste fee system where individual businesses purchase color-coded prepaid garbage bags to dispose of their food waste and more general waste. The three colors each represent distinct types of waste: white/yellow for non-recyclables and non-food items, pink/yellow/orange for organic waste (leftovers), and then your recyclables are usually in a blue container or left out. Ever since this addition to districts across the country, many people began to stuff their garbage into public trash bins, causing businesses and local governments to remove several public trash cans from the street. This did not change the cleanliness of Seoul’s streets though, where after my several walks to class I still have never seen any litter or trash on the ground.

A street with writing on both sides in Korean. There are tall buildings on either side of the road and road signs on both sides as well. The road is completely empty and very clean.
A street in Seoul, very clean and there is no trash/litter!
The side of a sidewalk with vehicles driving bumper to bumper on the street. Under a lamp post there is a small trash bin in dark green. It has been circled with a red line.
One of the few public trash cans spotted on the street

In subway stations, there are many more public trash cans than you would see above ground. With a similar system as the 종량제, there are color coded trash bags or stickers indicating different types of waste, and many even have liquid disposal bin used for peoples leftover coffees or other drinks.

When I return to Wisconsin, I plan to implement Seoul’s mindful habits of keeping the busy streets clean and free of trash. I want to also focus on starting to isolate and separate my different types of waste to help reduce our overall campus environmental footprint.

Cornelius L: A Home away from Home in Seoul

One new experience that has become part of my everyday life in Seoul is using buses, taxis, trains, and subways. The efficiency of Seoul’s public transportation system is unmatched. I have never experienced public transportation that moves as quickly and reliably as it does here. In my hometown of Dallas, Texas, I am used to driving long distances to get anywhere. In Seoul, however, the transportation system is so extensive that I rarely need to rely on anything other than walking and the subway. It has made it much easier to explore the city and make the most of my time in Korea. On a typical day, I walk to class and then take the subway to different neighborhoods, such as Itaewon and Myeong-dong, to try local foods with members of my cohort. We also use the subway for scheduled activities.

The interior of a subway station with low ceilings and tiled floors. There is a long row of silver metal gates with a few people walking through them.
My first time using Seoul’s Subway system
Many train tracks with electrical wires above. On the other side of the tracks, the countryside can be seen. Hills with grass and small buildings.
KTX High Speed Railway to Busan

My most memorable interaction with a local resident happened on the bus while returning from a Kiwoom Heroes baseball game. One of my friends was wearing an Arsenal jersey on the night of the Finals, and a man standing next to us asked if we were planning to watch the game. We ended up having a conversation about our favorite teams, favorite players, and who we thought would win this match. It was a simple interaction, but it showed how sports connect people all over the world. It made me think about the importance of the Olympics and the World Cup coming up.