This past weekend, I traveled to Jeju Island off the southern coast of South Korea. Jeju Island is one the country’s biggest tourist attractions, and after spending four days and three nights there, I understand why.
The island is much bigger than I imagined. I caught a glimpse of Jeju’s widespread lands on top of Hallasan Mountain. I didn’t expect it to be so big! Growing up, my parents would tell me stories of Jeju, describing its beauty and relaxed atmosphere. As a result, I always thought of it as a small island full of beaches, trees, and little villages. The places I visited, however, were much more industrialized—I stayed in the city after all. I made it a goal of mine to travel to the lesser known areas and take in the nature.
On my first day, I hiked Hallasan Mountain. It is the tallest mountain in Korea, so I had to give it a try before going back to Seoul. It was no easy task; the hike started off fairly simple, but the second half proved much more difficult. My legs could barely keep up with my large ambition. After roughly two and a half hours, I got to the last checkpoint. Unfortunately, the workers did not allow me to reach the peak (they close the entrance after 12:30 PM, so if you plan to hike Hallasan Mountain in the future, please keep that in mind!). The hike took up the whole day, but it was worth it. I had time to relax and enjoy the view from the checkpoint. I reflected on my day and my travels, which allowed me to appreciate my time here. The feelings mentioned in my last blog post resurfaced. I still felt sad that my parents could not enjoy this time with me. I called my mother and father to let them know about my adventure. They were thrilled and told me to enjoy my time at Jeju. I felt grateful for their words.
On the second day, I went to the southwest part of the island. I wanted to eat delicious seafood and relax at the beach with a few of my friends. The food and beach did not disappoint. I got to try all sorts of seafood dishes, including fish, clams, and abalone. Although seafood is a hit or miss for many people, it seemed as if all my friends enjoyed their food as well. The one thing I’ve noticed in South Korea thus far is how much people come together to eat. It seems as if it is the main activity among friends. Korean food usually involves big dishes where people share with one another. Food is the one thing that can bring people from all backgrounds together, making it super beneficial for building new relationships.
I hope to do the same with my friends back in the United States. It’s time my closest friends in Georgia experienced a little part of my culture with me.
Jacob's Study Abroad Blog 