Finally! Quarantine was over, and I was eager to get out and explore the city! I had a lot of energy and a lot of things on my mind that I wanted to do. Everything felt a little overwhelming at first, but I was ready to start my first day in Korea.
Moving Into the Dorm on my First Day in Korea
On my first day out, I couldnโt wait to see what my dorm would be like. It would be the place that I would call home for the next four years and I was hoping that I could jump right into making friends, starting with my roommates.
My bedroom
My bedroom was a small room, and I had to share it with three strangers. It wasnโt horrible; in fact, I was fortunate enough to be assigned to a 4-person roomย that was split. That meant we had a wall separating us into two groups of two, so it didnโt seem cramped or like we didnโt have any privacy. In fact, it was so much better than the 4 boys crammed into a small room that I had been imagining.
The kitchen
On the first floor, we shared a kitchen and a laundry room with the rest of the dorm. Thisย meantย that the kitchen was frequently crowded, that the refrigerator was packed to overflowing, and that all washing machines were constantly in use. It was a new circumstance for me, but I quickly became accustomed to it. It was not as horrible as it appeared at first glance.
Meeting my buddy
I was the first one to arrive so I had a lot of time to unpack and get comfortable in my new home. Except for the mattress and basic furniture, nothing else was in the room. So, I had to buy bedsheets, pillows, and some basic necessities like soap.
I asked my buddy where I could go to get the basic supplies we needed for our room. She was a designated student from my university that helps new students. From university stuff to just hanging out and helping me find my way around the city, she was my guide to Korea.
She suggested I go to Triple Street. It is a hot spot in Incheon for a lot of younger people. And boy, can you find everything there! Bars, restaurants, clothing stores, and โ a Daiso. Daiso is amazing, you can find anything and everything you could ever want or need there!
Here we are, Triple Street!
Triple Street is a huge place with three floors and four sections from A-D. The majority of restaurants, as well as my primary destination โ Daiso, were located underground.
On the ground floor, youโll find a diverse range of businesses, including pubs, restaurants, cafes, and apparel stores. It is essentially the main area because flea markets and other events are held here.
Many establishments on the second floor were still closed because they had recently changed ownership. However, on the floor above there was an indoor petting zoo, a movie theatre, a bowling alley, and a tiny arcade! It was a blast finding our way around and seeing all of the beautiful spots.
Back then I didnโt know that it would become the main place to went whenever I wanted to do or buy something. Everything was full of color, music was playing, and people were having fun. The delicious smell of the restaurants was luring me in. But I was on a mission!
And so I went straight to Daiso, trying my best not to get distracted. But, if you have ever been to Daiso, then you know that that is an impossibility. I bought everything I needed for the first few weeks and then began looking for a place to eat.
My First Non-quarantine Meal
We quickly discovered a nice-looking bistro. It was actually in the Hyundai Outlet, which is across the road from Triple Street. This mall, like Triple Street, had numerous levels. But it appeared to be far more expensive and sophisticated. There was a massive grass bunny!
I donโt know why it was there, but it was super cute. I approve. Unfortunately, I donโt remember the name of the restaurant we visited, but it was Hawaiian style and pretty close to the entrance. It was really delicious and Instagramable. I definitely recommend it to everyone visiting Incheon!
Back Home at the Dormitory with a New Roommate
After I returned home, I concluded my first day in Korea by meeting my firstย roommate, with whom I will be sharing a room for the first time. We clickedย immediatelyย and even shared the same language! Itโs good to have someone by your side who is from the same country as you and with whom you share a bond.
We did a lot of things together during the next few days. Walking around campus, exploring convenience stores, and then returning to Triple Street to drink a few times. After all, we didnโt have any lectures yet, so we wanted to make the most of it!
Throughout our first week after moving in, we also got to know a lot of other exchange students. We formed a close friend group that would travel a lot together during the semester. Until the present day, we are still out and about enjoying our lives in Korea together.
To read about more of my adventures in Korea, Click Here.
