Week 6: Hospitals, Hurdles, and Human Connection

Well, here we are—six weeks in, about halfway through my adventure in Korea, and I have to say: this week was one I won’t forget.

This post is going to take a little different focus—not so much about school, but more about what happened outside of it. Let’s just say this was a week of firsts, realizations, and some unexpected but meaningful connections.

✅ Korean Hospital Experience: Checked Off the Bucket List

When I was prepping for this trip, I figured it was only a matter of time before I’d get sick while in Korea. Luckily I did some research ahead of time of where to go, just in case.

A few weeks ago, I had a cold that cleared up quickly—but it came back pretty hard with all the telltale signs of a sinus infection (been there before).

On Monday, I tried to tough it out and go to class, but ended up leaving early. By Tuesday, I still felt off, so I decided it was time to visit the doctor.

Thankfully, there’s a hospital near my apartment that’s known for its international healthcare department—they even have English-speaking staff. I called in the morning and got an appointment that same day.

Walking into the hospital was like walking into an airport or a shopping mall—it was gorgeous. A huge information desk, restaurants, a pharmacy, and even self check-in stations for Korean patients.

Check-in at the international clinic took about 10 minutes. After completing some paperwork and vitals, I waited maybe 5 more minutes before seeing the doctor.

She was super friendly and mentioned she had studied medicine in the U.S., which made it easy to communicate. After explaining my symptoms, she diagnosed a sinus infection and prescribed antibiotics, a nasal spray, and an antihistamine for a week.

Now here’s the part where I was just in shock: when it was time to pay, they said—very apologetically—“We’re so sorry you’ll need to cover the out-of-pocket cost yourself… the total is $99.00 USD.” 😲 I had to laugh. That price included the doctor’s visit and all the medication. In the U.S., this would’ve been…way more!

From there, I was handed a paper with a number, walked over to the pharmacy, and waited about 10 minutes for my name to pop up on the screen. Prescriptions in hand, I was out the door.

Overall? An incredible experience as a foreigner. Efficient, affordable, and really well-run.

🎓 School Just Got Real

This week marked a turning point at school for me—right around the midway mark of the program.

Between new grammar rules and vocab, the daily info dump is real. While reviewing for our upcoming mid-term, I had a moment of clarity (aka panic 😅): I need to study differently.

Looking over materials on my own wasn’t cutting it. I realized I need to practice speaking and reading out loud much more if I want it to actually stick.

So, I did some research and found a private Korean tutor for 1:1 sessions. I booked a couple two-hour lessons and honestly, it’s already made a big difference.

It’s definitely outside my comfort zone—just me and the tutor. Can’t hide behind my other classmates in this type of 1:1 setting, but that pressure to perform made me really focus. I had to read, answer, and repeat everything in Korean. It was intense… but so helpful.

I will definitely continue these tutoring sessions over the next few weeks because I need ALL the extra practice I can get.

💪 Recharge & Reconnect

Despite being sick early in the week, I ended things on a high note.

I kept up my routine with Bin, my trainer at MN Fitness. We’ve got a great rhythm going—I help him with English during workouts, and he helps me with Korean. It’s been such a fun and motivating part of my week.

On Friday, I got to meet up with my friend Terry, who gave me an amazing tour of Seoul last year. He showed me a ton of hidden gems that I would’ve never found on my own. It was so good to catch up, walk around a bit, and reflect on how much has changed since that first trip.

I also carved out a little time for some Korean skincare (because when in Seoul… you have to). I booked a treatment that included laser, micro needling, and Gold PTT therapy—which is especially great for acne-prone skin. Korean skincare clinics are next level in terms of technology and care, and I’m excited to see how the results play out over the next few weeks.

I also reconnected with some people I’ve met since being here. A few weeks ago, I did a Korean liquor tasting hosted by my friend Jae, where I met Jon, who hosts a walking tour experience in Seoul.

Jon and his wife Kangsil moved from the U.S. to Korea about a year ago, and I’ve really enjoyed hearing about their journey. This weekend, they hosted a small dinner and drinks hangout with about 10 of us. It was such a fun group, full of laughs, stories, and great food.

If you’re into travel or thinking about life abroad, check out their Instagram: @flavor.of.mind which also has a link to their YouTube channel.

🗓 Looking Ahead

Next week we get a bit of a break from school for the Easter holiday, and I’m planning to take a little trip—destination still TBD. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll blog next week or take a short break… we’ll see how I’m feeling.

Either way, thanks again for following along—it’s hard to believe I’m already halfway through this experience. Still so much left to learn, do, and discover.