Take the good memories back with you’: Semester at South Korea

‘Take the good memories back with you’:

I scheduled a meeting with a study abroad coordinator to find the best South Korea program for me. After submitting my application, I was accepted into the Exchange Program at Yonsei University. In a few months, I had to gather my passport, visa and plane ticket and then, I was set to go.

Upon landing in South Korea during the fall of 2017, I thought, “What did you get yourself into Thomasina?” As a Navajo raised in Tuba City (a rural reservation town located on the Navajo Nation), I immediately felt culture shock. I was lost and afraid because everything and mostly everyone was Korean. I was so overwhelmed that I almost forgot about my bus ride to the university. Luckily, the lady who I sat next to on the airplane stopped to ask me in Korean, “Where are you going?” With a limited proficiency in the Korean language, I answered, “Yonsei University.” She told me to study hard and to have fun in Korea. My anxiety slowly subsided and I was able to find the bus.

The first few months, I struggled adjusting to the culture. My biggest insecurity and challenge was my Korean

pronunciation. After joining a few student clubs on and began to close my jacket and cover me tightly campus, I began to meet new people and improve my with my scarf while saying “It’s cold” in Korean. And Korean language skills. I joined the American Forces another experience was when I became ill. I had Korea Network Listener’s Club that helps Koreans a small stomach ache and my new Korean friend improve in the English offered to run to the nearest language, and the Yonsei Global Angel that explores “We are there to store for medicine, even after I told him that I was fine. Later, Seoul’s popular places. By participating in these groups, help each other, my Korean friends told me that they wanted me to take I learned that Korean students learn about each the good memories of South were just as nervous about Korea back with me. Without English as I was about Korean. other's cultures their support and affection, it I had a cultural epiphany: we were there to help each and get out of our would have been a difficult five months. other, learn about each other’s cultures and get ourselves out comfort zones.” I will forever miss South Korea as it was my first of our comfort zones. international journey. I hope

Throughout my experience I was embraced by to return as an English teacher or as a tourist and the people. I will always cherish a moment I had as I relive the memories that the ASU Study Abroad was standing at a stoplight. It was freezing outside Office helped me create. I recommend that anyone and I had my coat opened in 30-degree weather. I who is considering study abroad to go for it and turned to look at an elder standing beside me. As take advantage of it. When you experience traveling the light turned green, the elder approached me abroad, you’ll be thankful that you did.

studyabroad.asu.edu

mystudyabroad.asu.edu/students/gilman-scholarship

mystudyabroad.asu.edu/make-appointment