Buzzfeed's (Justine's): 45 Reasons everyone (I) should (have) live(d) abroad once

One of my least favorite/ favorite things about teaching in Korea is “desk warming”. Sitting at a desk for several hours doing nothing can get pretty boring and if you are me, it drives me insane. One of the things that gets me through those many hours of “desk warming” is the Buzzfeed articles. I love them, I mean who wouldn't love lists and quizzes about pointless things? Also, if you forgot I made it onto one of those lists... so I mean Buzzfeed is pretty amazing. Haha But any who, I found a Buzzfeed article titled, “45-reasons-everyone-should-live-abroad-once”. So in this post, I am going to tell you about my experience of living abroad and how these 45 reasons hold true to me:

1. For the passport stamps.

• I didn't travel a lot outside of Korea while I have been here, but I did get the chance to go to the Philippines. So in total I have 4 different Country stamps in my passport. Cambodia, Chile, South Korea, and the Philippines.

2. For the stories.

• Oh there are so many stories. What do I tell you? The time I was on an Ajumma (grandmother age) dance team or about the time I had to stay in a Korean hospital for 3 days without anyone who knew English to help me? There are so many great stories to tell and more to come.

3. For the authentic recipes.

• Korean food is delicious. Even though I live in Korea, I still have cravings for Korean food so occasionally I will make Korean food at home. I have made Kimchi Jiggae (soup), tteokbokki, and kimbap.

4. And the local fast food.

• The local fast food is the best. It is so cheap, filling and delicious. I have even figured out how to order it on the phone for delivery. My favorite meal is Kimchi Jiggae. Yum!

5. And the chance to try a foreign menu in McDonald’s.

• I have been to a McDonald's here but I have always gotten the normal burgers. But if you feel adventurous you can always get the bulgogi burger.

6. To feel lost and be OK with it.

• There have been MANY times that I have been lost. It is not always fun getting lost and not having a way to ask for directions but there are also other times that getting lost turned out to be an amazing adventure (like ending up in the middle of nowhere climbing a snowy mountain).

7. To learn that some winters require a heavier coat than others.

• Brrrr..... I found this one out the hard way. Yes, I come from Oregon where it is cold, but Korea is especially cold! The first year I was here, we had a major snow and ice storm and the ice didn't melt for months. I fell quite a few times walking on those sidewalks. Being inside didn't really help much either. I am just a snowman throughout the whole winter.

8. And to learn that sometimes, sun cream isn’t optional.

• Oh boy, are these Korean summers the worst. You don't only have the sun beaming on you but you also have the humidity! Sunscreen, aloe vera, and deodorant are your best friends during the summer.

9. So you can eat late, like the Spanish.

• This doesn't really apply to me. But in Korea you eat full korean meals three times a day. Rice, rice, and more rice. Plus, don't forget the kimchi!

10. So you can roll your R’s like the Italians.

• So you can add “-e” to everything you say. I have caught myself doing this multiple times... it is really bad and I need to stop it. Words like “change-e”, “finish-e”, and “English-e”.

11. To question the culture that you were brought up in.

• The grass is always greener on the other side right? There are many things that Korea does great that I think the States would benefit from, but.....

12. To respect the culture that you were brought up in.

• there are also things that just don't make any sense in Korea. It makes me proud to be an American and lucky to have grown up in such a diverse and wonderful Country. Nothing, beats home.

13. So you can confidently direct tourists.

• I have been here for quite sometime now and have seen many people come and leave. I love being able to share my experience with the newbies in town and help them in this new foreign Country.

14. To experience bureaucracy in a different language.

• Truthfully, I have no idea what is going on most of the time in America and really have no idea what is going on over here. Politics is not my thing, I just listen to what everyone else is saying over here. I was here when the first female president was elected. All I knew though, was that I got a free day off of school because of elections, so that was great for me!

15. To realize just how much you value your family.

• I knew I would miss my family but I didn't realize how much I would need them through this. I don't think they knew how much they were going to be needed by me either. They are my support, encouragement, and the ones who have helped get through this time in a different Country. I miss them dearly and am so thankful that they are always there to listen to all of my stories, complaints, and adventures.

16. And just how much you need your friends.

• I have a wonderful group of friends back home that make me feel special. I have been able to still feel connected with them even though I am many miles away. We are not going to let living in another Country pull us apart. We will continue to be apart of each others lives even when life gets busy. I am especially thankful for a best friend that came to live with my in Korea. She has truly been the ONLY reason that I have been able to get through this last year in Korea. She was and is an answer to prayer.

17. To learn how to make new friends.

• I have made so many friends living over here. Friends from Canada, America, South Africa, Korea.... I have been so blessed to meet so many wonderful people and I know that just because we leave here that this will not the be the last time we see each other. Living in a different Country you gain a family member. I know I will always have a place to stay if I ever venture out to their Countries and vice versa.

18. To wonder how you didn’t know these new friends all your life.

• It's true. I have met so many different kind of people here but even though sometimes it doesn't really make sense why we are friends it just feels so natural. I have so many friends that it feels like I have known them forever, even though it has only been a year or two.

19. To perfect the art of packing a home into two suitcases and a tote bag.

• Ew, I don't know if I will ever “perfect” this but I have gotten good at packing a backpack for a weekend trip. Packing and riding the bus are the things I do most here in Korea.

20. So you can say you did.

• It still blows my mind that I will have lived in Korea for two years! I will always remember this time here and when I am a grandparent I will have something interesting to tell my grandchildren.

21. To be thankful for the existence of Skype and FaceTime.

• I don't know how people survived living abroad before the existence of the internet. This has kept me sane. I mean how would I have been able to bug my sister every week without it or call my momma to say hi? No, it just would not have been okay.

22. To become skilled at sneaking excess luggage onto a plane.

• I have not had to do this yet but this is going to need to happen if I don't figure out how to get 2 years of stuff into two luggage bags. Yikes, I am not excited to pack.

23. To know where you’ve come from.

• When I first moved to Korea I was just turning 23. A year out of college and just finished a year of being a lunch lady at a private school. I was still juggling with the concept of being an adult in the real world and the kid who didn't have to worry about loans and rent while in University. I knew where I wanted to go, who I wanted to be, and what I wanted to do but was not really sure what that was going to be. I left thinking that these next few years in Korea would show me where I was supposed to be. I didn't know if I was going to pursue missions work or teaching, all I knew was that I didn't have to be a lunch lady anymore!

24. To know where you’re going.

• 2 years later and will be 25 when I get back home, I know now what I want to pursue. I am passionate about my crafts and party planning. I am a firm believer about doing what you love and I am really the happiest when I get to be creative. I hope one day down the road, I will get to start my own little crafting business. I am not sure exactly what that means for me right now but I know what I need to continue to pursue it so my dream can come true.

25. To learn how exactly to serve absinthe.

• Well, I am not really an alcohol drinker or would I ever want to serve that. But I did learn how to serve traditional green tea! Perks of living in a town famous for their green tea.

26. To realize that no matter how lonely you are, you can get through this.

• My first year in Korea was probably one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences for me. I had many times of loneliness but I got through them. It brought me closer to God, helped me figure out who I am, and surprised me. If I can live in a different country solo, I can do anything!

27. To see the sun set on the other side of the world.

• We also get to celebrate all the holidays a day ahead of everyone in the states.

28. To become adept at bargaining a taxi fare with only three phrases in that language.

• To try to communicate with the taxi driver where you are wanting to go and being dropped off in the wrong location and lost. Yeah, that is always fun too.

29. To see the Northern Lights from your bedroom.

• To see the rice fields throughout the seasons. It is a really interesting process how rice grows and is harvested. Things you learn while living in an Asian country town.

30. To see Venice from your window.

• To see all of Korea through the bus windows. I have taken many adventures on the korean buses. They have become my second home and I have seen many beautiful things out of those windows.

31. So you can distinguish Malbec from merlot.

32. And Glühwein from Glögg.

• Again, I don't drink a lot of alcohol but I have Makgeolli (Korean rice wine). It is actually pretty good.

33. So you can have your own part of a new city.

• Boseong will always be my second home and Cafe Story + will always be my coffee shop!

34. To realize that you don’t need a common language to flirt.

• Well, who needs common language when you have body language. Haha No, it's more like charades and konglish (Korean- English). That is how I flirt... which gets me nowhere.

35. To build your photo album for your grandchildren.

• I can't wait to show my pictures and tell my stories when I get older. These years will always be special to me. Mandy and I will be those old people who tell everyone about “that one time when we were in Korea...” and you will have to kindly remind us that we have already told that story millions of times.

36. To fill your journal with memories.

• I am not sure who reads these blog post or if anyone really does, but it will be nice to be able to look back on my two years here and remember about all those crazy times I had in Korea.

37. To take pride in the moment, and not worry about documenting it.

• To enjoy the last few months I have here now. To not let the stresses of thinking about what will happen when this is over but to enjoy the time when I do have it.

38. To watch home sports in a different language.

• I was here for the 2014 Winter Olympics (my favorite) and I wasn't actually able to watch it because of not having a tv and it being in Korean. I did watch speed skating on tv at a korean restaurant though. That was interesting to see all the people in the restaurant getting worked up watching the tv. haha

39. To watch new sports and become obsessed.

• I have made quite a few Canadian friends and there was a point last year where I would watch Hockey with them and I got pretty into it, always routing for America of course (and we won!).

40. To eat cold soup.

• To eat cold noodle soup.... not really my favorite.

41. To drink hot whiskey.

• To drink shots of soju with all of you coworkers at school.

42. To meet fascinating new people.

• So many wonderful people from all around the world!

43. To realize that people might find you fascinating too.

• Being an American in Korea you find that a lot of people think you are fascinating!

44. So you can prove the guidebook right.

• Korea is a wonderful and beautiful place to visit. Boseong, Busan, Seoul, Jeounju, Jinju... the list continues. Just look online and you will find many great festivals and places to go to in Korea.

45. So you can prove the guidebook wrong.

• Most importantly to prove to yourself that you can do it. That you can live, survive, and thrive in a foreign Country. To step out of your comfort zone and to experience new things. I have done it!!!

So, as I conclude I just want to say that living abroad has been one of the best things that I have ever done. I do not regret anything and would do it all over again if I had to. I am so thankful for the time I have had here and for the next 5 months that I still have. I am going to enjoy these next months and try to take it all in before I leave. Here is to here and now. See you soon America, but until then I will just be hanging out with my friend Korea.