Luca Lina spent 2 weeks with us in Seoul. Today she tells us about her big trip and the experiences and impressions she was able to gather there.
Why are you flying to Korea?
I was asked this question very often by my parents and I actually don't think you need much of an explanation. Personally, I became interested in the culture, the language and, above all, the food. That was reason enough for me, even though my stay only lasted two weeks and my parents and friends weren't that keen on the idea.
Since I'm interested in the language and have already learned Hangul at home, I thought it would be a lot of fun to learn the language with others who were as excited about the idea as I was.
Why should I take such a big trip with EF?
Since I just turned 18, it was very important to me to be in good hands. After all, the trip to Korea was my first time in the wide world. EF was the perfect solution for me. No matter whether it was about the accommodation, the transfer from the airport to the accommodation or the flight itself. That made a lot of things a lot easier for me. Perhaps it is more reassuring for parents in particular if they know that the child always has support at the course location and is never completely alone.
Should I prepare anything for my trip to Seoul?
If you are staying with a host family, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the country's customs in advance. Fun fact: In Seoul it is important that you always accept things that are handed to you with both hands and of course say thank you. But don't stress yourself out too much if you forget. The families are very understanding and know that you may do things differently in your own culture. So don't worry: you're here to learn new things!
PS Download apps like Kakao Talk, Naver Map and Papago – they'll make your stay easier!
What was going through my mind before my trip?
In fact, I was extremely nervous! I've never flown for such a long time and I'm actually a bit shy of people, so living with a host family gave me a lot of worries. But: It's completely normal to be nervous and… sometimes tears his head apart. You just have to make the most of your time in Seoul and keep reminding yourself: When do you ever go on such a cool trip? Not every day!
How are the first days in Seoul?
I arrived on a Sunday morning, which allowed me to spend some time with my host family before class. The way to school took about 30 minutes on the subway. I am actually very happy that I decided to stay with a host family, as other EF students also lived there with me. It meant that you were never alone and could quickly make friends. My host mother showed me the whole apartment straight away. I felt really comfortable! It happens super quickly until it feels like you've never been anywhere else.
The first day of school was very relaxed: We were able to get to know each other and then took a language test to determine what language level we were at so that we could get into the right course. You don't need to be afraid of the test: it's not bad at all and the teachers are really nice and understanding. 
My conclusion
It was undoubtedly the right decision to start the journey with EF. I would do it again at any time! The lessons are really great and the experience is a great opportunity to make international friends and learn a lot about your own life, but also about new cultures and languages.
