Updated: 02/02/2025
packing was dreadful. i technically began my preparation to leave in early November when i shipped my first box home because i bought wayyyy too much stuff. i spent over $200 on 3 boxes to ship stuff back home one week at a time….. i think it was worth it because i did have A LOT of stuff and i didn’t have to pay any overweight baggage fees or anything like that at the airport but it all depends on personal preference. packing was a tiny bit stressful because i bought even more stuff toward the end, but it all worked out. all i know is that everything i bought in those last 4 months was NOT fitting inside my 3 suitcases.
i have silly advice:
if you’re going to the airport via Kakao Taxi, ORDER A GIANT TAXI FIRST TRY. i don’t know what was in the air during the days when i was transporting my luggage around but these general taxi drivers were not budging and did not want me or my 3 suitcases in their cars even if there was space lol. they kept rejecting me and telling me to order a giant one. it’s more expensive which is why i didn’t want to do it but honestly just save yourself the trouble and stress. another reason i was stubborn was i had literally taken general taxis with all my bags and luggage and stuff before so i didn’t understand why they were refusing but whatever. JUST TAKE A GIANT KAKAO TAXI. Kakao T was the go-to taxi service and had different options but the giant option is typically the best if you want to transport your big luggage. ALSO the giant taxi service takes around 10-15 minutes for pick-up so plan accordingly.
leaving Seoul was weird. when i first arrived and was exploring, going through an abroad honeymoon phase, i thought about how devastated i was going to be when it was time to leave. actually i was thinking about this even before i arrived in Seoul. September Alexis never would have thought it would be so easy to leave. she thought December Alexis would sob at the airport. if you asked September Alexis if she wanted to extend her studies in Korea to a full year and still graduate in May 2025, she would’ve jumped on that opportunity so fast without a doubt. November to December Alexis was all Seoul-ed out and ready to go.
traveling is so fun and healing for me. this experience helped me realize i want traveling to be a part of my professional career. i was never homesick or felt like i was tired of Korea. i’m not sure how to describe what i felt when i left. all i know is that i was looking forward to seeing all my family and friends and being at home again. it was more of an “it’s time to go home” vibe and i was ok with that.
of course, i was sad to leave Korea because i had the time of my life, met so many great people, and made so many great memories, but i was ready to go back. also, i knew i would return one day. having that in mind helped me leave on a good note as well. one semester was the perfect amount of time for me.
