Next Stop: South Korea

Postcard 001 – Feb 19th 2024

17 hours, a few movies, and 7,000 miles later… I was in Korea. But let’s rewind a bit.

It’s 2 a.m. and I’m wide awake, not from jet lag (yet), but from nerves. It’s my first time leaving the country. My first time being way more than two hours away from home. For four months.

My head was swirling with doubts and what-ifs, but also buzzing with excitement. I remember lying there, hoping Seoul would live up to the version I’d imagined in my head.

Spoiler alert: it did.

Onto the plane and I scored a window seat 🙌

Tucked into my Korean Air pillow, blanket, and slippers, I basically screamed inside when the flight attendant handed me my first meal: bibimbap! It was actually delicious, even for plane food.

There were K-dramas and BTS content on the screen (thank you, Korean Air). I clocked cute bag charms, heard Korean around me, and while the air was stale, the energy was electric.

The flight was filled with snacks (shoutout to the best mini blueberry muffin), naps, music, bathroom breaks, and me semi-spiraling in between. But somehow, we made it.

I blasted Spring Day by BTS in my headphones. It just felt right.

As soon as we landed, I was greeted by K-pop idols and actors on posters (Hey Park Seo-joon). Customs took forever. My luggage was way too heavy. I was sweating, apologizing to people who probably didn’t understand me, and lowkey struggling.

Since the flight was delayed, I was panicking… I was supposed to meet my study abroad group at 6:00 p.m. and we were now landing at 6:10. I speed-walked through the airport, filled out my arrival card with shaky hands, and hoped they wouldn’t leave without me.

But eventually, I found the group. hey didn’t leave me behind! (Even though I accidentally told them I was at a different Terminal). I said goodbye to my dad, and off I went, scared but excited.

I was intimated. Everyone was from the same school, except me. Did they all know each other? Fly together? Who was my roommate? I was so in my head. 

But as we rode the private bus back to our dorm, the energy started to settle and quiet down. We were all so tired, a little awkward, and nervous, but excited for the journey.

I looked out the window with tears in my eyes. Not because I was sad, but because I had made it. My dream had come true.

I was really, truly, in Korea. 

And it was beautiful.

Until the next one, 

Ashley 💌