JOURNAL | Memoirs in South Korea: Journey of An Exchange Student

Memoirs in South Korea: Journey of An Exchange Student

I can still remember the first time I arrived in Korea. My ears were still aching when I entered Incheon International Airport. It was my first time to ride an airplane for four hours so I really found the journey a bit disorienting.

Everything Was Uncertain In The Beginning

And so I was there in the terminal together with the other Filipino exchange student. The weather outside was cloudy and dark for it was still dawn. The first thing that came to my mind upon arrival at the airport was to call our contact person, Hu Eun Ji. My professor in the Philippines gave me some Korean money and that’s what I used to call her. It was around 5:45 when I finally talked to her and asked when she will come. She told us to wait for two hours at gate E and so that’s what we did. 

Fascinated with all the new things that are around us, time flew so fast that our contact person finally came. She was holding a University flag and that’s how we knew it was her. I was so happy that finally there’s someone to help us. She bought us our bus tickets and off we went. Along the way to the university, tired from the flight I just had been, I kept thinking what could possibly be waiting for me in a land where I have never set foot before. I don’t know much about Korea’s culture and the only knowledge that I have is that of the things my Korean tutees have taught me. In so far as the Korean language is concerned, I am positive that I don’t know any word that would enable me to converse with any native speaker. Busy with these thoughts, I found myself sleeping and occasionally springing to consciousness until we reached Chuncheon bus terminal.

This is pretty much how everything started, the rest as they say is history. But there are so much memory that I have kept withinn the nine months that I stayed in the University. So many friends, places, memories that I will never forget about my stay in the university. I especially won’t forget all the people I met in the dormitory where I stayed. It is there that I met all the wonderful people that made a significant change in my life. It is there that I made Chinese, Mongolian, Russian, Japanese and of course Korean friends. It is there that I have attached my life and perhaps when I come back to Korea again, I will make sure to drop by to say hello to everybody there. 

Finding My Way; Appreciating A New World

I have also visited some places in Korea. I have been to Seoul, cities around Seoul like Incheon, Bucheon, Ansan, Anyang, the far Andong, and Donghe. Of all these places I think Andong stands out. Every place that I have been really impressed me but Donghe impressed me more because of the beach there. The Philippines, my country, where I came from is rich with beautiful places but since I don’t have the luxury of time, I didn’t have time to go there and have fun. But in Andong, embellished with its fine beaches and white sand, big waves and clear waters, I never felt so lucky in my life. I felt closer to nature. I went to Donghe in September and although it was freezing cold, I still swam. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to feel the beauty that I have seen. 

Moreover, I have experienced some really new things in Korea. It was my first time to go in a Jimjilbang and Norebang. In the Philippines, public bath houses are not common and to me it was really fascinating that people would go to these places to clean their body, relax, and sleep. Although, whenever I go to Jilmjilbang I cannot sleep because I usually play or talk with my Korean friends until morning so no such thing as rest for me. But I learned that maintaining a good body and hygiene should not be taken for granted so until now I am still practicing this. Another cultural experience that I cannot forget is the Norebang or singing rooms. Koreans really like singing which is also a favorite of the Filipinos so I really enjoy singing with my friends. My Korean friends always tell me that I sing very well but I think Koreans sing well too especially when they sing Korean songs. I didn’t really learn many Korean songs apart from “Tell Me” by Wondergirls and “Go Jin Mal” by Bigbang. 

Korean food on the other hand proved to be a challenge at first, but as time went by, I started loving the food. Korean food is very healthy and I have a number of favorites like Gamjatang, Hejangguk, Gopjang, Samgyopsal and Dakkalbi. Most of them are spicy but I think it makes the food even more delicious. However, I missed some Filipino foods at times especially fish because there isn’t much fish dishes in restaurants. Usually it’s meat. And also, the eating culture is rather different compared to the Filipinos’. Koreans share their food in one container and because of that, people become closer. They are more intimate that’s why there’s a strong relationship between Koreans.

Lastly, the drinking culture. I would say that Koreans really have a taste for drinking. I have never drunk as much as I did in my entire life. There are times that I would drink everyday. If this was done in the Philippines then I would surely be tagged as alcoholic, but in Korea it is one form of socialization that forges friendship. As one of my professors say, it is when you are under the influence of soju that makes you open to others. And true, I have been open and closer to others because of drinking. Before, I look down on people who get drunk, but now I understand more that drinking is not just a matter of intoxicating oneself but building relationships. After all, having more friends is more important. 

Now that I am back in my country, I feel more mature and ready to face the big world. I am not afraid anymore to face my future, to look at my goals straight in the eyes and say, yes I can achieve you. It is just sad to leave all the people who made significant memories in my life. The day I left, I didn’t cry. It is not because I didn’t feel anything but because I know that one day I will meet again all the people I have loved so dearly. I know that my leaving doesn’t have to mean the end. I know that there will come a time that I would see all these people at the right place, at the right time.