NSLI-Y South Korea 2015

I’m already back from 6 weeks in South Korea. No doubt my best experience so far in life and I honestly did not anticipating making friendships that depth that I did. But I guess when you’re with 14 other people 24/7 for 6 weeks, welllll, you become attached.
I plan on recounting my experiences in Incheon, Seoul, Andong/Kyeongju Camp, Sudeoksa Temple Stay, Boryeong Mud festival, DMZ, interactions with Korean High schoolers, and FOOD (ofcourse).
But for now, I have a recap video that shows some of my favorite snapshots throughout the trip.

NSLIY – South Korea

                To me, South Korea as always been a fantasy like land, reachable only through my laptop via K-dramas and K-pop (aka popular culture). In the world of K-pop, idols have risen to God like statuses and in Korean dramas, the simple average girl somehow snatches two heart-brooding males’ attention. Although, I am personally not particularly attached to the specific Korean dramas nor do I revere K-pop idols, the Korean culture has somehow integrated itself into my daily life. From craving bibimbap to tearing up during a heart wrenching drama scene (the part where someone gets amnesia) or from Eat Your Kimchi videos to fangirling with friends over idols, I must admit…I have developed severe wanderlust for South Korea.

                 Thus I am excited to say that this summer I will be studying abroad in Songdo, South Korea with NSLI-Y. National Security Language Initiative for Youth (affectionately and conveniently shortened as NSLI-Y), is an U.S Department of State’s program that offers high school students scholarships to study in 1 of  7 different languages for a summer or year duration.  I applied for Korean, the summer duration and much to my excitement (and disbelief), got in. For more information on NSLI-Y – click here.

             This will be my first study abroad experience and I am extremely excited to go as South Korea has always been on my bucket list. I would consider myself relatively experienced in traveling, but I cannot help but feel excited and nervous for the start of this adventure. As there are only 3 days before I leave, packing has been…rather stressful and messy. My Korean language skills on the other hand….has also progressed at a snail like pace. I will make another post on packing, the pain is real I tell you.

               If anyone has information or questions about Songdo/South Korea, experiences they’d like to share, or unexplained excitement when thinking about the Korean culture, feel free to shoot me a comment or msg!