GRIP, Internships Abroad Life in Seoul – A Juxtaposition

International Development in Seoul, South Korea

As I reach the end of my first month in Korea, I thought this would be a good time to reflect on my experience abroad thus far. I wanted to come to Korea so badly on this GRIP program because I thought it would be the exact blend of my interests that I was looking for. I’m an East Asian Languages and Civilizations major at Penn concentrating on Korean, and I was excited to get the chance to finally experience some of what I’d been learning about firsthand. So far, everything has exceeded my expectations. I was also hoping that this trip would satisfy my desire to visit the country and that I’d no longer feel the need to travel abroad with such intensity.

Unfortunately, the opposite has happened.  I’m already dreading the day I’ll have to leave, and mentally planning the day I can come back. Everything here has been amazing. Seeing the juxtaposition of tradition and history in the middle of metropolitan Seoul has been just one time when I’ve appreciated what I’ve seen. The food, the prices, the language, the kindness. I just know that when I go back to the US I’m going to miss cheap good quality food, clean and quick public transport, artwork, architecture, and so much more. Although I haven’t gotten the chance to develop my language skills as much as I would have liked, I’ve definitely used them, and reaffirmed my commitment to learning the language. In the time I have left, I’d like to explore even more of the culture, as opposed to just going from internship to dinner to home. I’ve already visited Gyeongbokgung, but I have plans to visit again, and this time to rent a traditional hanbok and visit a tea house along the way.

 I will say, I’m sure my experience would have been a lot different if I’d come alone and had no way to make friends. However, being around other CRCC and GRIP interns has given me the opportunity to make friends and get out of my comfort zone, even more than I thought I would. Taking part in cultural experiences also helps me understand the people more. Last weekend, CRCC took their interns to a center for underprivileged youth. I got the chance to play games with them and know them on a personal level. It was a blast and it really helped me feel connected to my time here, like I was making an impact. I hope to spend the next month taking even more advantage of the culture and traditions that a beautiful city like Seoul has to offer.