All You Need To Know About South Korea

I’m kicking off a new blog series all about South Korea. Over the next few posts, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my life there. But before diving into, let me explain why I know so much about this country And trust me, that year was nothing short of life-changing

Korea Wasn’t My Plan (But It Changed My Life)

At 21, I packed my bags and moved to Korea for my final year of university in 2023. Funny thing? Korea wasn’t my original plan at all. Like many kids, I grew up watching Dragon Ball, Doraemon, and countless anime, dreaming about Japan. But in the weird post-Covid times, Japan still had restrictions for foreigners. So, I “settled” for Korea probably the best plot twist of my life.

My First Week in Seoul: Jet Lag + Culture Shock

After 24 hours of traveling (Spain → Finland → Seoul), I landed in a city of 24 million people. The jet lag turned me into a zombie for a week, but my brain was blown away: skyscrapers everywhere, people lining up in perfect order just to take the elevator, neon lights flooding the nights, and the smells of sizzling street food on every corner.

But then came the real cultural shocks: almost no one spoke English (or they were too shy to try), so eating out was pure trial and error. My stomach had a rough time that first month turns out Koreans are basically the Mexicans of Asia when it comes to spice! 🌶️🔥

Life in Busan: My Korean Málaga

I spent most of my year in Busan, Korea’s second-largest city. With its gorgeous beaches and mountains, it often reminded me of my hometown, Málaga I honestly don’t know how to live without the sea nearby. Busan is the perfect mix of a mega city and tradition. It’s constantly growing, yet not as overwhelming as Seoul, so you get to see a more authentic, laid-back Korean lifestyle.

Friendships Are Hard (But Worth It)

One thing about Korea: building real connections with locals as a foreigner is not easy. The language barrier is real, and friendships take time. There were moments I felt quite lonely…

: ( but slowly, I met people I now consider brothers, even if they live more than 10,000 km away.

Finding My Place Through Taekwondo

Once I got used to life there and started university, I finally began to dive deep into Korean culture. The best part? Korean universities are packed with clubs. I joined the Taekwondo club, their national sport, and after months of sweat and sacrifice, I even tested for my black belt (1st Dan). More importantly, I found amazing teammates who made me feel at home.

What That Year Taught Me

Looking back, I carry with me countless memories: hiking, surfing, wild nights out, road trips to new cities, and the whole adventure of studying abroad. What I learned? That every problem has a solution, and for every door that closes, another window opens. Korea wasn’t the plan… but it was exactly where I needed to be.