My last day in the U.S. until August 12th. Tomorrow morning I'll be on a plane headed to Toronto, and from there to Tokyo, and from there, finally, to Seoul. Including layovers, the trip is estimated to take 22 hours and 20 minutes, and I'll be arriving in Seoul at around 9pm local time, where I'll then have to try and navigate the bus system from Incheon airport to Korea University, where I'll be spending the next six weeks.
I'll be studying at the Korea University International Summer Campus, taking classes in Korean language and culture. I've been taking Korean language classes at my home school, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, for the past year, and I hope I can use this opportunity to practice what I've learned to its fullest. At IUP, I'm majoring in Anthropology, with a secondary major in Asian Studies. While I'm not entirely sure what my future holds, I hope to be able to combine my interests in Anthropology and Asia, specifically Korea, somehow in my future career. Until then however, I'm trying to learn as much about the two as I can.
I put together a very brief (and mistake-laden) introduction video a little while ago, and hopefully can post another video at the end of my trip to see if my Korean has improved at all (hopefully it will!).
The American half of my Summer has flown by, I can't believe I'm already about to leave for Korea. I know this will be the experience of a lifetime, and I'm both excited and anxious for it to begin. While I've been abroad before, it was only to Europe, and either with my family or a group from my home university (to read about my adventures last summer in Florence, Italy, you can check out my old blog; LizGoestoItalia.blogspot.com). Now, not only am I going to a continent I've not so much as set foot in at any point in my life, but I'm making my way there completely alone. I hope this experience will not only help me to improve my knowledge of Korean language and culture, but to help me grow as a person.
So, next time you hear from me, I will hopefully be settled into my new dorm at Korea University!
안녕히 계세요!
