145th Day - A Great Escape

An article I worked on for the school's magazine (basically about foreigner's life here in the campus). It has not been beta-ed yet since I know none who would do it for me -_-

A Great Escape

Never once I regretted my decision 6 months ago to go to Korea and attend Geumgang University. I was already working a stable job by the time I applied for an opportunity to study Korean in this university. I was faced by two tempting prospects when the acceptance email was sent: a career advance opportunity on the current job; or a doing what I love to do opportunity. I picked the latter one. So here I am, far away from home, studying the language that I’ve never thought to be so hard before. ^_^

As promising as my last job was, I was exhausted. 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, I was faced with routine activities and I was getting bored with such demanding life. So, I thought, let’s take a step back from the hectic lifestyle and be a little selfish for once. I left all the good deal behind to pursue something I only had in mind before. I flew to Korea, a foreign country I only had seen in TV or pictures. Then, in this foreign land, several months ago, I started my journey, experiencing what I call a great escape from my real life.

Sure I did my research about the school before actually going here. However, when the bus took me here for the first time, I have to admit, it wasn’t as I expected it to be. The bus ride felt so long and outside, there’s only darkness. When the bus stopped in front of my soon-to-be dorm, I was full of hesitation. Looking around, there are only mountains. What kind of place is this? I grew up in a capital city of my country. Mountains surrounding my whereabouts are not a familiar sight for me.

Slowly, I fell into another routine here. This time, it’s not demanding. This time, I have fun doing it. In the morning, I attend the Korean language class for 4 hours. In my beginner class, I had the most wonderful teacher. She has the greatest patience and humor and fun spirit. I found the 4 hours in the morning to be the most anticipated hours of the day, even though waking up early in the morning is another story. ^-^ Going back to the dorm after class, I would eagerly do my homework or review whatever it was I had learnt in class. True, Korean language is hard. At the same time, however, it’s challenging and interesting.

Having graduated from university 2 years ago, I find myself once again being a student here. Homework, tests, mid term, finals… all of them once again colors my days. However, it’s my choice to be here. It’s my responsibility to face them. It’s my pleasure to go through them. I discover the fun of studying and I take satisfaction out of it. Besides, I study for my own good. It’s only right that I work hard on it.

Other than studying (and preparing for partnership), I spend my days here with socializing with friends, spending so much quality time with them. We usually hang out in each other’s room, or stroll around the campus area with ice cream in hand. ^=^ The fresh air and clean road are suitable to be enjoyed on weekdays. Whereas on weekends, there’s school bus to take us to Daejeon ; or on weekends after payroll, continue all the way to Seoul. At times I’m not doing any of the above; I’ll be in my room, taking leisure time for myself, enjoying the solitude.

Another benefit I have from this school is I get to make new friends! I make friends with people from other countries and continents. Not to mention friends I get by living in the dorm. It’s my first time living and sharing everything with someone else. However my roommate and her friends made it a comfortable experience for my first time. I’m really thankful that because of them, we got to spend a fun semester together.

Sure we have downsides. The smell of pigs of cows or whatever they have inside the stall near the school is a great distraction. It pollutes the fresh air and ruins mood and appetite. But we can’t always have perfection, can we? I am happy enough with everything. Despite of the daily schedule filled with study and work, I find this far from stress, far from distraction, far from demand life to be a refreshing period. Here in Geumgang University, I get to break away from a boring routine and demanding city life and I get to study Korean language, which I’m interested in. I really am doing what I like doing! And this is the kind of life that everyone deserves to have.