July 05, 2022
Tram Nguyen '23
Notes from Abroad: Tram in South Korea
Tram '23 (front) with new friends from her program
Tram Nguyen '23, a business major, studied abroad at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea.
Hi there! My name is Tram Nguyen, I am a junior studying business and communications. For spring 2022, I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Seoul, Korea for the semester, and here are some of the highlights of my experiences in the last final months of my travels.
I took two major trips during my time in Korea. The first trip I took was to Busan. Only an hour out of Seoul lies a city by the sea known for its beaches, mountains, and temples. My friends and I jammed packed a weekend filled with activities including visiting Jamin’s father’s cafe (BTS member), riding cable cars up to Songdo cloud trails, feasting at famous seafood markets, and walking through Gamcheon Culture Village, touring breathtaking temples on the seaside, and more! I loved Seoul; however, I also fell in love with Busan. Unlike Seoul, Busan has fewer foreign tourists so as a large group of eight POCs we did get starred at frequently. Nevertheless, the locals were truly so friendly and welcoming. To add on, Haeundae Beach is a must-visit when in Busan, with unlimited options for tourists, from the street food markets, an endless variety of restaurants, and shopping, to the beautiful beach.
The second trip was to Jeju Island. There, I stayed at a hostel on the south side of the island that was only a ten-minute walk to beautiful waterfall trails. The weekend was spent exploring unique museums, visiting Hello Kitty Island and Osulloc green tea farm, alongside trying Jeju’s famous KBBQ.
All in all, I loved the accessibility in Korea, Ewha Woman's University was beautiful and perfectly located creating such a lively atmosphere for exchange students. My limited time in Korea was filled with unbelievable travels and people. Truly a once in a lifetime experience that I am so grateful I have. Finally, I would like to thank Alexandra Olson who was so patient and helpful throughout this entire journey. I could not have done it without you, I am eternally grateful, thank you, Allie!
Jeju Island:
Gamcheon Culture Village:
