Scoring tickets to a K-pop concert in Seoul is an adventure in itself, but the experience doesn’t stop there. From ticketing battles to post-show subway rides, here are some things that are helpful to know before you go.

Before Korea, I had zero idea what bingsu even was. Shaved ice? A slushie? Some sad snow cone with neon syrup? Yeah…no. Turns out bingsu is the love of my life.

We started the morning with a walk from the dorms to Korea University. Our program coordinator led the way, giving us our first real look at the Anam neighborhood. Even in the rain, everything felt new and absolutely beautiful. The KU campus was massive with stone buildings that looked straight out of a fairytale. I was a little worried about getting lost, but mostly just excited to explore.

Not exactly the kind of thing you remember to study up on before your trip… but maybe you should?

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t make it into your study abroad orientation packet: drinking culture. Quick disclaimer: I’m not a big drinker or partier myself, so these observations are a combination what I've heard, seen and experienced a only a few times. But even as someone who prefers a quieter night, I still think it’s definitely worth experiencing at least once.

Everyone talks about K-beauty, cafes, and how good the WiFi is (definitely valid) but what about the weirdly specific stuff no one warns you about?  Like the wild boar alerts? Or the emotional bond you'll form with your local CU?