Preparing for Seoul: My Enthusiasm Grows!

Counting Down to the Adventure

Time flies and my enthusiasm keeps growing.

My preparation list has been very thorough and thoughtful and now it is ready for action.

First, I focused on practical matters.

For the first five weeks in Seoul, I will stay in accommodation located about a 15-minute walk from the language institute.

The institute is situated in the Gangnam District, an area well known for its modern city life, shopping streets and business atmosphere.

When I arrive at Incheon International Airport on Saturday afternoon, March 29, I will be picked up by the institute’s transfer service and brought to my accommodation.

My Korean language course will start on March 31.

Language Preparation, Small Details Matter

In the Netherlands, I already completed my final Korean class and took a final test.

Apart from one small mistake, which I probably could have avoided if I had checked more carefully 🫣, I scored 29 out of 30 points.

The mistake was about writing the Korean currency amount of 14,000 Korean won.

Instead of writing:

• 만사천 원 (ten thousand + four thousand won)

I wrote:

• 십사천 원 (fourteen thousand in a wrong structural form)

Sometimes old habits quietly return, even when you know the correct answer.

Before taking an online pre-test for my course in Seoul, I still have a few weeks left to practise Korean by myself.

Preparing for Everyday Life in Korea

Beyond language study, I also prepared for daily life.

I researched Korean culture and customs, downloaded essential apps for navigation and communication and familiarized myself with Korea’s payment and transportation systems.

I want to arrive feeling reasonably prepared, while still keeping space for discovery.

Health and Travel Readiness

For my health and mental preparation, I updated several travel vaccinations that had expired or were missing.

Although I do not plan to go camping, I also took a rabies vaccination, just to be safe.

Knowing myself, when I see small, cute animals, I instinctively want to pet them without thinking about possible risks.

So I decided it was better to be prepared.

Embracing the Unknown

I love embracing the unknown.

I see this trip not only as an opportunity to explore South Korea, but also as a chance to learn more about myself.

Travel, for me, is not only about places. It is about growth, curiosity and discovering new perspectives.