First Impressions

Hey everyone, I'm finally here in South Korea. It's been a very busy time since I left so sorry that this update might be pretty long! 

First, the flights were both good. In San Francisco the wait went by quickly. Once we boarded the flight to Seoul though we ended up sitting on the tarmac for an hour, making the total time inside the plane about 13.5 hours. Once we landed it was still sunny, but cold in Seoul, and the sun was going down quick. Incheon airport was really amazing, in it's size, modern architecture, and ease to navigate. By the time we made it through customs and got our bags it was dark. On the other side of customs in Incheon were students from the AGA (Ajou Global Ambassadors) waiting for us. They were easy to spot and I met my "Ajou Buddy", HyungSub, "Matthias". He helped me get some Korean Won from an ATM and then showed me to the buses to get to Suwon. By this time it was below freezing while we waited outside to catch the bus. 

Once on board the bus to Suwon it was very nice. The fare from Incheon to Suwon was 13,000 Won. It was easy to relax during the 45 minute drive from the airport and we passed by the city of Incheon on the way. Looking out the windows at the vast array of endless apartment high-rises, each trying to out compete each other in grandeur, was simply amazing. Seeing everything lit up in the stores, streets, and skies was something that is hard to put into words. Getting my first glimpse into Korea was something truly extraordinary. When I got to the last stop in Suwon I still wasn't at Ajou. Once I stepped off the bus I was greeted by more AGA members who helped me with my bags and brought me to the taxis. They told the cab driver where to go, and I was brought straight to the dorm. 

By the time I made it to the dorm I checked in quickly and it was close to 8pm. The first people I met were the guys from the room next to mine, Marco and Timo, from Holland and Finland respectively. They were so nice in showing me around and helping me feel at home. Both of them had been at Ajou since last August. After getting settled in, I showered (nice hot showers), and crashed pretty soon afterwards. 

-----------------------------

That was all yesterday. Today, Friday, was another long and exciting day. I woke around 7am and by 8am I was out the dorms. Last night my roommate came in around 4 as did many other guys on my floor so I think I was the only one awake. I walked around the campus and down one of the main streets across from the campus. It was nice and very cold and the city was just at the peak of waking up and everyone bustling to school and work. First I stopped and got some pastries and then continued walking. It was then I noticed I needed to improve on my Korean. In total my walk alone was about 2 hours in the morning, with a break for some tea in the middle. Some of my first impressions were pretty awesome. It's hard to really write all the different sights and senses that I saw in the morning but it was a complete culture shock. Obviously Korea is nothing like traveling to Western Europe, and for me I don't think I knew really what to expect here. That being said, it's great here. There are so many things, simple things, that I still need to learn, but I am learning quick. For example, at the coffee-shop you are handed a coaster that vibrates when your order is ready like when waiting for a table at home, it's easier to memorize the currency by it's different colors rather than numbers to confuse the zeros, and taking a taxi in Suwon is often times just as cheap as a bus if you are 2 or more people. Another thing I learned thanks to my new friend, Vytas, is never ask a Korean if they speak English, they will always say "no" and walk away, instead just ask them whatever question you want answered first. 

After my long tour I came back to my dorm and hung-out with some newly arrived students in the lobby. There were 3 French and 2 Dutch students and I helped them with their things.  After that I went upstairs and organized all of my things, I'm proud to say that although I have little space here, I have everything in order. Soon after I noticed on the Facebook groups some students were organizing to do things in the afternoon. Some groups went to Suwon Station, other went to a jimjilbang, and another group was going on a tour with Vytas and then for some coffee. I went with the last group, Vytas is a Lithuanian student who has been here since August, and is a really cool and intelligent guy studying foreign policy. In our group were also French, Polish, and Mexican girls. He showed us some really cool alleys in Suwon and we walked through a market gazing at all the foreign foods. I didn't take any pictures today but it is so close to the university and I will go back when it is sunnier to get some nice shots. Along the way we ran into many other exchange students and met them, too. At the end we got some coffee near school and then the group split up. Vytas, Marie, and I went to HomePlus together to get some things for the dorm, and we took a taxi which was nicer, quicker and cheaper than a bus. I got a much needed pillow, blanket, chopsticks, bowl, blanket...etc. It was just great to go with Vytas because he really knew the way around everywhere. Now it is about 7:15pm and I am back in my room. I feel completely exhausted right now so I might just go to bed soon. A large group of  us are going to dinner at 8 but since they wouldn't be back till 10 or 11 I might just call it an early night. 

The few pictures that I took today were just of the university. Since it was cloudy I didn't take very many others, I will attempt to link the photo album to my blog now so everyone can see.