Bianca In South Korea: Land Of Morning Calm

My final week at Lexis Korea was anything but ordinary. It marked the end of an intense, joyful and sometimes chaotic chapter of my life in Seoul.  I came here to study Korean… and while I’ve only scratched the surface of the language, I’ve gained something far more personal: the confidence that I can navigate life in a foreign country, build genuine connections and stay open to whatever comes my way.  At the end of the week, I proudly received my Certificate of Achievement, marked with the level: Beginner. A small step perhaps, but a meaningful recognition of the learning journey I’ve started. This week was filled with moments that were beautiful, hilarious, heartwarming and even a little dramatic (yes, there was actual fire involved). And while my classes may be over, my time in South Korea is not. I’ll spend another week in Seoul seeing friends before Arthur will join me for three more weeks of traveling through this incredible country. Monday: Nature, Friends and a Surpris...

It all began with a rainy Monday, but as any Dutchie knows: “We are not made of sugar.”  So off I went into my third week here in Seoul, a city that continues to surprise and charm me.  I’m still really enjoying my time at Lexis, learning Korean and discovering new things every day, both in and outside the classroom. One thing I should have known, but didn’t quite expect, is how visible homelessness is in certain parts of the city. Amidst all the sparkling skyscrapers and trendy cafés, you’ll also see people living on the streets. It’s a sobering contrast that reminds me every day how complex big cities can be. What I still find so special is how easy it is to connect with the younger students. As long as I don’t act like an 이모 (that’s Korean for “auntie”, often used for middle-aged women), I blend in just fine. Some even call me 언니 “older sister”, which secretly makes me smile. We spend quite a lot time together outside of Lexis and it feels like being part of a little intern...