Familiarity vs Openness

Published:


It has now been a week since I landed in South Korea. My daily motto has become, “Be comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Before coming here, whenever someone would ask me what I was most looking forward to, I’d always say the food. Being here for the last few days has been hard on that front because many restaurants do not have vegetarian options. This has not steered me away from enjoying my time here because Seoul has so much more to offer than just its food selection. One thing I have found a love for is the architecture of the city. South Korea is ancient, and the buildings are one of the ways that show how much the city has grown and evolved. The buildings are very tall and skinny and are placed everywhere. Next journal, I will include either pictures or another video of my journey to one of the tallest buildings in the world.

Stanysha Lowery

<i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Hello <i>Home Institution (your U.S. University/College):</i> University of North Carolina at Greensboro <i>Expected graduation year:</i> 2022 <i>Destination city & country:</i> Seoul, South Korea <i>Program provider:</i> Yonsei International Summer School <i>Major/minor:</i> Psychology / Human Development and Family Studies <i>Demographics:</i> African American/Black, First-Generation College Student <i>Future career aspirations:</i> My future career goals include me becoming either a Social or Developmental Psychologist serving and working with underepresented and often ignored communities and individuals. <i>Top 3 goals for your time abroad:</i> My top three goals for my time abroad are: Learn Korean and become a beginner in the language, become acquainted with other students and professors, and immerse myself in South Korean culture by trying new foods, going sightseeing, and learning through every experience that I encounter.