I landed in Seoul completely exhausted and ready for a real bed after the long flight from New York. The roughly 12-hour time difference made it tough to adjust at first, and those first few days felt like a blur. But as I started to settle in, I felt grateful that I had booked a one-way ticket. Knowing I’d have time after the semester to travel without a fixed return date took a lot of pressure off. Instead of rushing to see everything at once, I can take my time and let the city unfold at its own pace.
Seoul felt enormous from the moment I arrived. I took a taxi from the airport, and for nearly an hour, the city just kept going. Out the window, it was nothing but buildings, clusters of high-rises, endless rows of storefronts, signs in Korean, and street after street passing by without much change. At that point, I couldn’t tell where one part of the city ended and another began. It all blended together, and I remember wondering how I was ever going to learn my way around. Over time, though, I started to notice that different districts had their own feel. The differences are subtle, but enough to give each area a sense of identity. That helped make the city feel more approachable. I stopped thinking of Seoul as one giant place and started to get to know it piece by piece.
During my first week in Seoul, before classes started, I spent most of my time exploring the city with a few new friends I met during orientation. We didn’t have a plan, most days we would just pick a random subway stop, get off, and start walking. It was a good way to see different parts of the city without any expectations. Some days we ended up at well-known places like Gyeongbokgung Palace or Myeongdong’s street food vendors. Other times we wandered through local markets, malls, or side streets that felt more residential.
What stood out to me was how dense and varied the city is. Even when the districts look similar on the surface, lined with convenience stores, cafés, and apartment buildings, they each had a slightly different feel. Some were quieter and more residential, others busier and more built up. The weather was cold and often windy, so we stuck to indoor spots more than we planned, but even then, it felt like there was always something going on. It didn’t take long to realize just how much there is to explore here. Even in just a few days, I could already tell that no two parts of the city feel exactly the same.
So far, one of the things I’ve noticed most is how self-contained the city feels. Daily life runs smoothly, and even when I’m not sure what a sign says or how to pronounce something correctly, people have been patient and helpful. I’ve found that gestures and a bit of effort usually get me where I need to go. What stood out even more, though, is the overall sense of safety. Early on, a friend of mine accidentally left his wallet in a store. He went back a day later, assuming it was gone, but it was still there, untouched. In a city this large, with so many people constantly passing through the same spaces, that moment left a strong impression.
Seoul doesn’t feel quite as overwhelming as it did when I first arrived. I’ve started to settle into a rhythm, and parts of the city are beginning to feel more familiar. But there’s still a lot I haven’t seen, and I know I’ve only just scratched the surface. I’m looking forward to exploring more and seeing how this experience continues to take shape.
