Last few days in Seoul

Below:[Kelly & me after bungee jumping. Yes, those are...velcro straps]-->

It's 7:41am in Korea. The air in my dormitory seems damp, but then again the past few days have been accumulating a fair amount of moisture (given that it is the rainy season). My roommate returned to the states early, so the room is quiet with the exception of the random beeping of the air-conditioner and sounds of water droplets from my bathroom which is still freshly soaked from a shower that gave the entire room a good stray-down.

This past week (actually past month) has been filled with goodbyes and last minute attempts to catch a glimpse of my favorite places (and unexplored places) in Seoul. To be honest, when asked what my favorite moment was during the semester it is extremely difficult to narrow it down to a single time, person, place or ...single anything. It has been the accumulation of events unfolding throughout the semester, building of relationships, instances filled with "uh-huh" moments in which I feel like I am starting to belong in this place across the Pacific and random everyday happenings. Although I am writing you with the knowledge that I will entering an airplane in a little over 3 days, this nugget of information has not sunk in. Actually, I prefer to stay this way. Perhaps my mild version of insomnia has been helping distort this bit of reality. I have been trying to avoid the last moments of goodbye or rather get it over quickly. I'm even going back to the home that I tutored at to say goodbye once again... I'm kind of a softy. The kid that I tutored was a sweetie, so how can I not go back and say goodbye (no...good luck with the next year)?
I prefer leaving with a smile because that's what this trip has been right? Full of memories and good times, so why change that at the last moment? Some friendships I have made in my previous travels (before the semester) I am still holding onto, so I'm hoping these relationships will be no different. Yes, relationships will change overtime but change is not necessarily a bad thing. Actually it's necessary and keeps things interesting, so here goes. I wonder if I have changed at all while I have been abroad.
Study abroad advisers, professors, friends back home and so on are always talking about how people "change" after coming back from abroad. It just depends in what way. I think the level of change just depends on each individual case. During this semester, I know I have grown (not physically...as far as I am aware of but you know what I mean) but not necessarily "changed" (at least by the definition that you have in mind. I have been trying to be open-minded to nearly everything during this experience but at the same have held on pretty tightly to who I am. So, as far as I know, good ol' Emily Kessel is coming back to MN. I might make several attempts to dodge my plane flight, but in the end the inevitable will happen (I'll some how make it onto that plane...actually 3 planes given my layovers). So, no worries.

Off to class. I'm taking all my language exams on Wednesdays, so after that I'll try to make a slight change to my blog or update my facebook status to let you know that I survived. ;) haha. Despite the studying, these next days will be filled with good times. I'm letting anything get in the way (except perhaps a briefsnooze in class... ^^ Until I see you again, take care!
Wherever this blog decided to place this photo:[first night out with the group from the ESWS/ Ewha's language program] -->

Life at Ewha: Nothing to Hide ^^

Literally across the street (although traffic is a bit more of an obstacle here than in MN) from Yonsei University sits Ewha Womens' University. It is here that my 3-week language program shall begin (and end sooner than I and my fellow program participants may think...so time is very valueable ^^). First off, I'll get this out of the way (before you see any photos), the university's title may seem a little misleading because male students can study at Ewha; however, I believe it's only open to men international students during the summer session (but this is just a guess). So, besides this loophole (for the guys that is) Ewha remains a womens' university (the most famous female university in Korea). To be honest, I haven't scoped out the entire campus because I have been venturing back-and-forth between my previous campus (apparently Yonsei is still on my good side ^^) and Ewha.

My placement test landed me in level 2, which is definitely a challenge. The class is conducted entirely in Korean, which is probably the best way to learn (out of necessity), so immediately I was given a wake-up call, "Need to work on my listening and speaking skills...practice (hopefully) makes perfect." I need to make practical conversation more a priority instead of just grammar, but it is difficult because in level 2, there are so many grammar points that I need to catch up on. However, what I would prefer getting out of this experience is the skill to communicate at least the point that I will have a stronger (although I already plan to return here) reason and desire to travel back to Korea in the near future. The levels are Ewha are a bit different than Yonsei because they are split into mini levels within each level such as 1.1, 1.2... We shall see. Let's hope that sitting in a class (no doozing off allowed or Emily will become a little more than a teensy bit confused). My class consists of two students from Hong Kong, two from France, one from Canada and three from Japan. Everyone seems cool including the teachers, which is reassuring. Let's see if they can top my Yonsei class though haha. No, I won't do rankings because everyone is amusing in a different way. I'm trying to continue to meet with my friends from the previous semester (and in between stage-vacation time) as well as get to know people from this program. Can I extend my stay please? ;)

By the way, the graduate dormitories are quite a sight. The rooms are spacious (meaning the beds are not 1 inch...excuse me cm... apart), have a modern look/feel and there is no curfew (unlike many of the dorms in Korea). I have even adjusted to the Korean-style bathrooms with the shower and toilet smashed into the same room. Remember my earlier blog (Bangkok) I was quite frightened or rather irritated by the idea of showering in the same area as going to the bathroom? This phenomenon no longer bothers me. Actually I find it rather convenient, as long as the drain remains clogfree. I think of this style bathroom as a quick way to hosed0wn the floor every 24 hours.

Yet again I have landed myself a good roommate. Phew. Grace is another Children's Home Society/Eastern program participant, who is from Oklahoma.
We'll be in touch soon.