Written by Ashley Amabel Enriquez Vidal
This past week, we led the Absolute Internship students on a journey to Gyeongju, Busan, and other incredibly enriching and exciting surrounding cities. The students had just arrived in Korea, and this quick 5-day journey helped immerse them and gave them a taste of the rich culture that Korea has to offer. Thanks to Adventure Korea, they were able to explore many attractions, learn about the history of these places through experiences, and food.Â
On the first day, we took them on a 2hr ride on the KTX from Seoul to Gyeongju. Students were then given time to explore the strip and eat before being transported to a temple, where they spent 2 days and 1 night as monks. The activities at this temple kept the students device-free and allowed them to have much simpler, calmer 2 days. If you would like to read more about this specific experience, we invite you to read this blog [insert link]!
After the enlightening and peaceful temple stay, we took the students to Pohang. However, a light rain prevented us from doing one of thplanned activities; it did not stop us from being awed by the beautiful structure and the amazing view of the sea while enjoying a nice coffee. Even with the light sprinkle, the students were beaming with glee and taking lots of pictures of the sea and the surrounding skyline.Â
Once we got to Busan, we, of course, had to have some iconic Korean barbecue, where they cook and cut up the meat in front of you, with a spread of delicious side dishes and sauces to enjoy the nice, juicy meat. Students were then able to explore the night market, where they could try a variety of popular Korean street food, both sweet and salty, perfect for all types of people. There was also the view of the ocean, perfect for a late-night stroll, a lot of cute shops from souvenirs and keychains to socks and household items.
The next morning, we embarked on a beach train. The shining, hot sun made the ocean sparkle and glow, creating breathtaking sights. There is even a place there where you can look down at the glass floor and see the beautiful ocean below your feet. We then took the students to another temple, where they enjoyed taking pictures next to beautiful Buddhist structures and admired the temple’s architecture. Students really enjoyed making wishes on these gold metallic leaves and tying them next to other people’s wishes. Later that day, we got to cool off and enjoy the nice air conditioning while admiring the view from 100 floors up, where you get one of the best and most beautiful views of the ocean and skyline. From there, one can appreciate the city’s magnitude and the surrounding culture.
South Korea is filled with small islands. We went on another adventure to Geoje Island, where we took a cruise. Students enjoyed watching the seagulls fly by and feeling the gentle breeze on their faces and hair, and smelling the salty air wafting to their noses. They got to hold shrimp chips in the air, watch the seagulls come by to eat, and admire the captivating rock formations as we sailed through. We then stopped on another small island, where we hiked up this beautiful private property, with many amazing little cafes offering stunning views of the ocean, surrounding nature, and sculptures. On the way back to the mainland, we saw some marine life peeking out of the water.Â
Students got some good rest after the short hike to the cable cars. Although the weather was not on our side due to fog in the mountains, it did not diminish the breathtaking views of the trees and surrounding greenery.
The next morning, Adventure Korea took the students on their second-to-last journey in Busan, where they visited Taejongdae and rode a cute train, getting off at different stops to walk around and enjoy the sea view. For the last adventure with this cohort, students got to visit a Cultural Village with the recognizable colorful houses, and with a lot of history dating back to the Korean War, now turned into a must-see tourist area, where they sell lots of popular and delicious Korean desserts and snacks while being surrounded by little stores and filled with murals and art installations.
Students gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of the country’s culture; many were unaware of the history of the complicated relationship among Japan, China, the United States, and Korea. As well as the impact and the effects of these interactions, as well as the soft power and influence they continue to have in Korea. Many of the places we visited have connections to the past, such as markets that began selling items left by the Japanese. This type of knowledge and understanding makes visiting these places feel more significant, and it touched the students’ hearts so much that they began to feel a connection, making it a wonderful experience they will never forget. The students on this trip had very bright, bubbly personalities and an eagerness to learn more, which made the trip all the more enjoyable.
If you need more information or are interested in creating your own adventure, feel free to visit our website [adventure.korea.com] or email us at info@adventurekorea.com!
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