Originally Posted by
Viq
I've been in Korea for the past 6 years, roughly. Two years in Ulsan, and the rest here in Busan. I've done all of it as a student. First, I had to put in time to learn the language, and now I'm a year shy of getting a degree from Pusan National University. Also, I have taught English at varying levels for much of my time here.
Because I traveled to be a student, I have had a wealth of experience just in the dorms that I have opted to live in. I've had roommates from Germany, Poland, Sudan, Iran, Hong Kong, India, China, Japan and Korea. Then I can add classmates and friends from Canada, France, Mongolia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Getting to spend meaningful time with people from such diverse backgrounds has been invaluable.
Obviously, traveling as a student is not a viable option for most people. However, my experience here does allow me to give some advice on international travel. It is very tempting when you are in a foreign place to try to find familiarity and comfort. However, your greatest experiences will be had in situations that are the furthest from what you are familiar with culturally. My mom came to visit me in Korea a few years ago, and I made it a point to not tell her what we were going to eat for each meal. I would take her to places that served all kinds of wacky shit because it was an experience that she would not get back in Providence, and she would never have selected things like raw octopus or grilled pig skin if she were selecting her own itinerary. She ate plenty of the Korean BBQ, and other expected dishes of course, but getting into the stuff that is less well-known is always the best.
Finally, Zet offered a great piece of advice when he said to travel light. You need clothes, a toothbrush, and your phone (maybe). That is it. Don't bring a ton of stuff that you would normally use to fill your free time back home. You aren't going somewhere new to watch Netflix in your hotel room. The less you bring with you, the more you will be driven to find things to do in whatever spot you are visiting. Get out and explore whatever city you are in as much as possible.