Amazing. Big. Scary. Intimidating. Exhilarating. Different.
It has rained since I stepped foot off of my bus from the airport and I've never experienced a thicker, more sweltering air (and I'm from the South). Although I feel as though I was lied to about what weather is my entire life, and there is a pervasive dreariness in the atmosphere, I have loved these past few days in Seoul. A place is a place and a different place is still a place. But it is the nuances that make Seoul beautiful.
During my study abroad, I am studying at Yonsei University in Sinchon, and below I have compiled a collection of a few pictures that capture the essence of the experience so far.
Yonsei is all about aesthetics.
Student Handbook
Kaitlyn Richards
Yonsei is all about sleek minimalism and it shows in every little detail... including the student handbook.
A different kind of orientation...
Performers from Yonsei College of Economics dancing to Shinee's Sherlock
You would be hard-pressed to find a foreigner that isn't here because of Kpop that doesn't know Kpop, and their choice to start orientation with people performing Shinee's 'Sherlock' and BTS's 'Fake Love' is indicative of their acknowledgement of their audience and their interests.
Also Kpop is everywhere here.
The Korean Language Institute is located right next to foreigners' housing...coincidence?
Picture of the Korean Language Institute
Kaitlyn Richards
Most of the people here are attending in hopes to immerse themselves in the culture and hopefully go back home speaking Korean more confidently and fluently. Knowing this, language courses at Yonsei are three hours a day, four days a week from 2pm- 5pm.
Yonsei Hospital
A building
Kaitlyn Richards
Yonsei is kind of the Emory of Korean colleges, and this building is a part of their hospital which is located on campus (right next to the campus funeral home and Starbucks).
There is no quad, but there is a lot of open space.
View from a hill
Kaitlyn Richards
Although there is no quad, there is a park and a lot of open space. Unfortunately, due to monsoon season there are very few people who spend their leisure time sitting there. With underground shops, restaurants, study spaces, and lounges, there are plenty of dry options, though.
Yonsei Palace
A picture of Yonsei's most famous building
Kaitlyn Richards
Yonsei Palace stands behind a statue of Dr. Underwood, the missionary who helped to found the school and is one of the first buildings that made up the University. It is utterly breathtaking.
Yonsei proudly displays their commitment to Korean History and freedom
Picture of Lee Han-yeol
Kaitlyn Richards
Lee Han-yeol was a 21 year old sophomore at Yonsei University when he died after being hit in the head by a tear gas grenade in the June Uprising of 1987 as students, workers, and other civilians protested for democracy. This image of Han-yeol flies on the Student Union building with the words "Save/Deliver Lee Han-yeol (from death)!" underneath them, as a reminder of students' importance and sacrifices in the Korean struggle for and protection of human and political rights.
It's all about location...
A picture of walkway to Yonsei's front gate and the Sinchon downtown area.
Kaitlyn Richards
This picture is of a walkway that leads to Yonsei's front gate. Directly across from Yonsei's front gate is Sinchon, a vibrant "college" downtown area known for it's night life, food, and shopping.
Although deep in the city, there is green everywhere.
Picture of trees and greenery
Kaitlyn Richards
Although this is not the aforementioned park, Yonsei's campus is full of little walkways and areas that have been curated to preserve and showcase Seoul's natural beauty.
The unknown
Art graveyard?
Kaitlyn Richards
From an art graveyard to the remnants of funerals past, this collection of pictures and other unknown items could be anything.
Just as I don't know what this is or is for, there is still so much for me to see, learn, and explore here. And I can't wait.
