This semester has been full of so many emotions, adventures, and friends (some old, and some new!). I have finally returned to my blog since taking a blogging hiatus for...pretty much all of Winter break...and even during most of this Spring semester....oops! I've never been very good at blogging consistently. :( But I thought I'd try to start up Seoul Kissed again in order to share my final days at Ewha! I also would like to look back on these blog posts in the future to remember how my study abroad here in Korea really changed my life.

So much of my life has changed since the end of last semester. I fell in love with an amazing man back home during the Winter break, and I started living a much more healthy lifestyle (taking care of my body, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, drinking more water, etc). I am preparing for my senior year at my home university, and I am already thinking about what I'll be doing after graduation (work, graduate school, something else?!). This semester is really making me realize how close I am to finishing my undergraduate career. This is a scary thought. 4 years goes by so so quickly! Definitely make the most of your college career by studying abroad. :)

So, I just felt compelled to write this short blog post as the beginning of my blogging for my second, and last, semester here at Ewha. I'll continue to blog about my experiences until the end of this semester....June 17th, 2015! Looking forward to sharing my many experiences on Seoul Kissed!

Until next time,
Chloe

I'm back!

This past semester at Ewha has been such an incredible experience. I learned so much about Korean and Chinese history and politics in my classes, and I am so happy with my progress in the Korean language after completing the Ewha Language Center's Korean 1a and 1b program. Now I am back in Atlanta enjoying the Christmas holidays with my family...a well-deserved break!

My grades this semester were good, though I was scared about a couple of classes, Korean being one of them. I was put into an accelerated Korean I class...but things turned out OK! By the end of the course, my beginning Korean knowledge increased by 100%! My Chinese politics class was quite difficult because of the subject. So much dry reading that went on and on and on! But by the end of the semester, I was able to finish a final research paper, presentation, and written final exam on the topics covered in class. I feel much more aware of contemporary issues in East Asia after this course with Dr. Sei Jeong Chin. Religions in Modern Korea was an interesting class, but I don't recommend this course because the exams were fill-in-the-blank...a.k.a., an easy class to fail if you're not studious. My favorite course was called "Everyday Cultures in Modern Korea" with Dr. Sang Ho Ro. His lectures were quite interesting and he was a funny professor.



Aside from my coursework, I learned a great deal about myself and my wonderful country through experiencing life in fabulous Seoul! I also never imagined I could meet so many genuinely kind, brilliant, and amazing individuals - both Korean citizens and fellow international students - through studying abroad in Asia. This very special opportunity to spend time abroad has changed me as a person: it has allowed me to participate in a different culture than my own, it has enabled me to expand and strengthen my views on social and political issues, and it has given me an opportunity to live life as a global citizen.

I'll Be Home for Christmas: Home for Winter Break!