Final Week At Lexis: A Farewell Filled with Beauty, Laughter & a Little Fire!

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. 

I also received my Certificate of Achievement, proudly marked with the level: Beginner… a small but 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). And while my classes may be over, my time in South Korea is not… I’ll spend another week in Seoul seeing friends and then Arthur will join me for three more weeks of traveling through this incredible country.

Monday: Nature, Friends and a Surprising Spectacle

Since others were taking the test in the morning, our class started later, which gave me a quiet morning to myself. In the afternoon, after class, Christian, Karin and I headed out to enjoy the sunshine. We explored Seoul Forest and Saensaeng Park, hoping to grab a drink in the park, but to our surprise, there was no beer for sale. It was even prohibited to drink in the park 🤪. So, we kept walking along the Han River and crossed the Jungnangcheon Bridge, where we stumbled upon something magical: under the bridge, large fish - likely Gangjeonchi (강준치) - were leaping upstream, trying to clean three stone steps in the water. They jumped with all their might, rested when they failed, then tried again. It was like watching a quiet, persistent dance of nature. We sat on stone steps by the riverbank, sipping beer and enjoying snacks as the fish leapt in front of us: one of those unexpected, beautiful moments that will stay with me.

Karin left early to have dinner at her guest house (her host mother cooks every evening) and Christian and I grabbed dinner in Gangnam, before we parted ways and I strolled back home completely content.

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Wednesday: Lanterns, Temples and Lakeside Walks

Wednesday brought more sunshine and more adventures. Jessica, Thalia, Karin, Christian and I visited the serene Bongeunsa Temple, where colorful lanterns were already set up for Saturday’s parade. After soaking in the peaceful temple grounds, we made our way to the iconic Starfield Library and capped off the day with a walk along the calm waters of Seokchon Lake.

Back at my accommodation, things were less peaceful. The hotel had turned on central air-conditioning due to the hot weather and my room was a chilly and noisy 20 degrees Celsius. With the wall control not working, I spent two nights freezing under the covers. Thankfully, one of the staff members managed to turn off the AC in my room using a remote… and I was back to sleeping with the window open, just the way I like it.

Friday: Crêpes, Crafts & an Unexpected Fire

My final day at Lexis started sweetly… quite literally. Angelina, a fellow student who was also finishing her course, surprised us with a big batch of homemade crêpes. She even brought Nutella and syrup to go with the crêpes; a real treat! Of course, with sticky toppings involved, accidents were bound to happen… and sure enough, our teacher Kim Su Cheon ended up spilling some on his clothes, which had us all laughing. Angelina had even made enough to share with the class next door, where my afternoon teacher, Seo Jeong Min, teaches. It was a lovely, generous gesture that brought a smile to everyone’s face. After the morning session, our teacher Kim Su Cheon pulled out his camera, and we took a few group photos to capture the memories.

In the afternoon, I joined a craft workshop where we created phone grips using traditional Korean mother-of-pearl inlay. I was pretty happy with how mine turned out: a beautiful little item that captures a piece of Korean craftmanship. It’s not currently on my phone, but I’m thinking it might make a nice gift to bring back home to the Netherlands.

Then came the big finale: Student Night. We headed out with a big group - Korean and international students - to a classic Korean BBQ spot. Beer, soju and sizzling meat… Two teachers from Lexis joined us, including my own, which made it feel even more special. The food was delicious, the company even better and the laughter endless. At 8 PM, we left the restaurant and made our way to I Love Pub, our familiar hangout spot with free popcorn and great vibes.

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And then… an unforgettable twist. While chatting at the pub, my hair suddenly caught fire from behind. I had no idea until Jessica, sitting across from me, yelled out in alarm. Christian, seated beside me, reacted instantly and put out the fire. I was in shock. Thankfully, the damage was limited to my hair - which was singed and shortened at the back - but nothing else was harmed. The smell, though, was awfull. But in the middle of it all, I was surrounded by kindness. Several female students offered me their perfume to help mask the burnt smell, which was such a thoughtful gesture. One Japanese student, I’ll not mention her name, who had had a bit too much to drink, even started crying when she saw what had happened. I ended up comforting her, assuring her I was okay… a moment that was touching, slightly surreal and very human.

A Bittersweet Goodbye — But Not The End

Although my time at Lexis has officially come to an end, my time in Seoul isn’t over just yet. I’ll still be here for another week… free from classes, but not from connection. I already have plans to see some of my fellow students again, and I’m grateful that the friendships we’ve built don’t end when the school bell stops ringing.

And after that, a new chapter begins: Arthur, my hubby, will join me and together we’ll travel for three more weeks across South Korea.

This final week brought so much: crêpes and laughter, nature and temples, late-night barbecues, and one very unexpected fire. But above all, it reminded me of how deeply people can care… even in fleeting moments. From the classmates who offered their perfume, to the Japanese student who cried and needed comforting, to the teacher with syrup on his shirt… these are the moments that make it all real. I came here te learn Korean, but I’m leaving Lexis with something far more valuable: a sense of connection, resilience and joy that I’ll carry with me wherever I go.