20..19..18..days and counting down to Seoul

My adventure to Korea is less than 20 days away now. 20 is a number that is actually small enough for it to make sense and register how close the journey is to beginning for me. It's becoming more and more surreal as the days go by. As I have never been on an international journey I am constantly thinking about what do I need to have/do prior to even departing. Each day I keep a growing list of ideas of what I would love to do in Korea (in a realistic manner). As I am getting closer to the date that I fly out I keep thinking about all the things I need to do to prepare myself for the trip and what I would like to do while in Korea. Luckily, I have friends and family members who have gone abroad before who have given me some insight on how to get ready for an international journey. Now my list of things that I want to do in Korea grows larger and larger while the my preparation list gets smaller and smaller.

Leaving the U.S is never just a simple let's buy a passport, get a plane ticket, find a place to stay and etc.,. It's full of a lot of unexpected hurdles that must be jumped over in order to finally get to that destination. At first when the trip seemed far away I wasn't too worried about some of the things I would be needing to do before I go such as vaccinations, luggage equipments, personal hygiene products stocked, electronic converters purchased, appropriate clothing for the weather/climate, and so many other things. Now with less than 20 days until I leave early morning on June 20th I am really gearing myself up on what else I need to get together before I leave. It's been a tasking thing to keep track of what I need and make sure I spend the minimal amount of money to get these items. My preparation goes beyond the recent Walmart trip I made (getting a TSA approved luggage lock, luggage tag, body wash, and disposable razors) on getting material items. The preparation also gets shifted to the notion of what cultural aspects do I need to brush up on and what language pieces do I need to make sure I understand.

The materialistic portion of the preparation is pretty much complete after my biggest purchase of $84 on the Typhoid Vaccination pills (makes sure that I don't get sick if I am adventurous with my eating). Now with starting that vaccine it's really rounding things out with the last bit of material things that I need. Now it's starting on the mental aspect. Telling myself to study more with my Korea vocab and brush up on my grammar concepts. I have been watching more cultural videos on Korean fashion, beauty, and culture. My favorite video that I have watched was actually by a previous Yonsei University summer student who lived in the dorm that I will be at. The video was super helpful seeing the room setup, the dorm buildings set up and what it is like to live there. I have constantly been looking at the Korean transportation system and what are the best methods of traveling around the other districts of Seoul. I am getting myself familiar with what popular college student locations/hangouts that are discounted near Yonsei University. I have to make sure I have the additional "homework" assignments done for my study abroad program prior to leaving to make sure that I am fully competent and aware of the culture and what culture shock is. I have to make sure to keep tabs on the 13 hour time difference when I begin registering for classes on Tuesday night (for Wednesday morning registration KST). Though it does seem still like a lot left to do and get myself into the zone of Korea.

All of this preparation will continue to proceed up until the day I land at Incheon Airport. The countdown departure pre-Korea prepping will be and is helping me day by day. I hope it all serves me well with my short-term living and education experience in Seoul. The needed materials both physical and knowledge base will still not be enough for the shock factor I will have when I arrive in Korea and that's okay. The experience can only be prepared for so much until it gets to the point where I just have to take it in and live in the moment. I am getting more and more excited. It'll really hit me when I begin packing, who knows when that'll be (hopefully pretty soon).

Only....20....19...18...17..... days and counting down to go until June 20th at 6 am.