4 minute read
SUMMER IN SEOUL
BY ALLISON GARBACZ
SPONSORED BY THE UW-MADISON KOREAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM
For almost three years now I have been studying Korean at UW-Madison. What started out as a “I’m just doing this for fun” elective class quickly turned into “Wow, Korean is cool, I need to know more” major declaration. Since this life-changing epiphany, I have thrown myself head-first into studying this beautiful (albeit complicated) language. But of course, studying a language in the classroom and actually going out and using the language are two completely different things. Language is something that is constantly evolving, and you can only learn so much by sitting in a windowless classroom for 50 minutes a day.
So when I was given the opportunity to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea thanks UW’s Korea study abroad program, I immediately jumped at the chance. Through this program, I was able to attend Yonsei University (one of Korea’s most prestigious universities) for 10 weeks enrolled in an intensive Korean language program.
Of course, language learning was the main reason I went to Korea in the first place, but life is comprised of much more than just school and studying. So what did I get up to during these 10 weeks? I cannot possibly describe everything that I did during this trip. You could spend ten years in Korea and still
never experience everything there is to try — there is always something new to discover. But here are some of the most memorable parts of my time in Korea. food
Yes, food is number one on this list. You can learn so much about a culture and country just by going on a food tour. In the case of Korea, the most eyecatching aspect was the blend between traditional and modern. Traditional Korean food, such as kimchi jjigae (김치찌개, kimchi stew), naengmyeon (냉면, cold noodles), kal-guksu (칼국수, noodle soup) and bibimbap (비빔밥, mixed rice), are always there for you when you’re looking for something homecooked and comforting. But South Korea, Seoul in particular, is a place that seems to constantly be changing and innovating, and the easiest place to spot these changes is in the food! There was some blending of traditional and modern, such as a “Make Your Own Ddeokbokki” spot (spicy rice cakes), and then there were just completely never-before-seen creations, often in the form of street food. I really wish I had been able to try everything, but I’m pretty certain that my stomach (and wallet) would not have thanked me for that. I found plenty favorites among the meals I did have the opportunity to try Jjimdak (찜닭) includes chicken, rice cakes, noodles, and chicken all covered in melted cheese. It’s definitely something to share with friends. Then there are souffle pancakes. Do I really need to say more? Lastly, Korean fried chicken. To me, it sometimes seemed like chicken was even more of a staple food in Korea than kimchi. There were so many options for getting fried chicken, and you can even get it delivered anywhere. Literally anywhere. You could be sitting in the middle of a field and they will find you to get you your chicken. This is just one example of the famous Korean fried chicken.
nature
Even though Seoul is a bustling metropolis, there were also places where you could escape into nature and enjoy the fresh (although extremely humid) air. My favorite destination was Ilsan’s Lake Park (호수 공원). Ilsan is a city just barely outside of Seoul, a mere 40-minute bus ride away, and was just what I needed to recharge. The park was named so because of, well, the huge lake at its center. Walking around the entire lake took me about 2 hours, not counting the time I took to wander off the path and explore. This is the perfect place to go for a walk with friends or family, but it is also a great place to go alone and take some personal time to recharge focus on yourself. Being in the constant noise of the city, these natural havens are just what everyone needs.
Some of my other favorite destinations included Seoul Forest (서울숲), Namsan Park (남산공원), and Jumunjin Beach (주문진해수욕장).
picture perfect sights
I don’t really know how to categorize everything else I saw, so here are just some pictures that I feel kind of need no words to explain them. These sights are what, to me, encapsulate my experience in South Korea. Always seeing something new, something old, and something amazing.
One story alone cannot possibly convey the excitement and amazement I felt throughout my entire time studying in Seoul. I will forever be grateful that I was able to actually study Korean in Korea and learn so much more about the culture through first-hand experiences. Of course, I had my share of embarrassing moments and mistakes, but everything was a learning experience.
After returning to Madison, I noticed just how much my language skills had improved, and I was amazed by how much progress could be made in just ten weeks studying in a slightly more (okay, maybe a lot more) intensive environment. To anyone who wants to improve their foriegn language skills, my only advice is to live in the language. Being confronted with the language everyday, having to accomplish everyday tasks in the language, and constantly hearing the language from those around you are just some of the little things that can add up to much greater results.
In the future, I hope to return to Korea to continue my language learning journey. Coming to know a language in its entirety is no small feat, so taking advantage of every opportunity to study Korean is what will help me reach my goals.
