Coming to Korea was a nerve wracking process. It was my first flight alone, and a long one. I came to a country where I barely knew the language and only knew one person. My only friend was someone I met during my Korean online classes. But, in the end everything turned out okay.
To read part one of My Journey to South Korea, Click Here!
The Flight
I flew from Los Angeles, California to Seoul, South Korea. But I had some troubles back in Los Angeles. Due to Covid-19 I needed a PCR-Test which would prove I was not sick. The PCR I had back then, did not include my personal information such as my birthdate nor my passport number.
Therefore, I had to run to the closest PCR-Testing site, just 3 hours limit before my flight. Luckily I found one and everything went well in the end. The result took an hour to come out. Sadly, it first came out inconclusive. so I had to take an additional test and wait another 40 minutes. Luckily it came out negative.
Then, I ran back to the airport just in time to check my baggage in and get through check-in. I barely had time to say goodbye to my mother. After our goodbyes, I walked through the check-in gate and walked towards my next adventure.
The arrival
My final destination was Busan. I arrived at Incheon International Airport at 3Am. Then, I took a bus towards the KTX station where I waited to travelled to Busan. Finally, I arrived in Busan around 12pm.
Since my arrival was during the pandemic, I had to quarantine in a hotel. The reservation was made by someone from my university.
Important note: Make sure to ask for your reservation number!!!!!
The person in charge never gave me my hotel reservation number. As a result, I had to wait for 3 hours for them to finally wake up and answer the phone. Not only that! They did not have my reservation number once they did finally answer. Apparently, they never even reserved my hotel! Anyway, after that problem was solved. I ended up arriving at my hotel room around 6pm.
Remember I arrived at 3AM? Well from 3AM to 6PM I did not eat anything. I was starving! My first meal in Korea was some instant noodle that was in the room. However, after that I was able to get some decent meals during my stay in quarantine.
After Quarantine
When my quarantine was over, I stayed at an Airbnb. I stayed there until the move in date at my universityโs dorms. The place was located near Busan Station, I had some time to look aroundโฆget lost in the subwayโฆ. and to start getting used to my new life.
And the previous online friend I mentioned? She had a friend in Busan and arranged for me to meet her. She is now one of my closest friends here in Korea. I am really thankful to her and my other friend for everything they have helped me with. ย The best memories Iโve made in Korea are with them.
I hope for the new adventures to be as fun as the previous ones. And for you to enjoy your travel and life in Korea. The best part of the journey, are the things you learn along the way.
Lots of people from all over the world end up moving to South Korea for a variety of reasons. Click Here to read one Cambodian studentโs story of how he made the move to Korea with his family as a teen, and then returned as an adult.
