Until Next Time, Korea

Well, I'm home! I made it back to Tulsa at 8pm on Saturday the 8th: which was pretty strange, considering I left Incheon at 5:15pm on Saturday the 8th.  I actually got to Dallas around 4 pm which was before I left Incheon...how is time a thing. Time changes are mind-boggling. Anyways, it was so good to see my wonderful family! I saw most of them Sunday evening and then got to see Kaitlin on Monday.

Look at these cuties

Elizabeth Cora grew so much!

She's too precious. <3

My trip back from Korea went pretty well. It was my first international trip taken alone, given that my dad brought me to Korea. A few other girls from the Crazy 8 (my group of eight girl friends) were leaving on flights around the same time on different airlines so we all traveled to the airport together. There was an airport bus shuttle that left from a stop really near Yonsei and only cost 10,000 won so that was really convenient! However, getting our massive luggage out of rooms and all the way down the hill and down the street to bus stop was a bit more challenging. Thankfully, a few other girl from the Crazy 8 helped us. I couldn't have made it without them! We said tearful goodbyes at the bus stop, but there were only seven of us, because one of my friends, Sereen, had left Korea on the 7th. The Crazy 8 really made my study abroad experience what it was. They were such a fun group of girls to hang out with and we went on so many exciting adventures together. I was so incredibly blessed to meet them and I hope to be reunited with them in the future.

Crazy 8 minus 1- Goodbye selfie at the bus stop~ I love you guys!

Feeling sad on the shuttle bus.

Going farther back in time now to earlier goodbyes- we had our CIEE program farewell lunch on Friday, July 31st. It was held at the Seoul Marina Club & Yacht and we had a fancy, delicious lunch followed by some group pictures. 

Crossing over from the subway station to the riverside

 Han River

Dragonflies were everywhere in Korea

The riverside was a really pretty area

Seoul Marina Club & Yacht - Livin' the fancy life - Running Man has been filmed here before.

The Crazy 8 before the lunch 

Pregame

Yummy food

 Dessert

Friends folding cranes

Post-lunch Barley Tea

My program coordinators, Tina, Suzanne, and Boram (pictured left to right) were some of the sweetest women ever. They were so welcoming, helpful, and kind. They really went above and beyond their jobs to make us students feel comfortable and taken care of in Korea. They organized and led fun activities throughout the program and were always there when we had questions or needed help or support. I'm so glad I chose CIEE! I'm so grateful to them and hope to visit them again someday. 

Crazy 8 at the Han River

At the end of the program the Crazy 8 brought Suzanne, Tina, and Boram a cake and a card to thank them for all they had done for us during the program. 

This isn't goodbye. I will definitely be going back to Korea, whether it's to work, to study, or just to visit. I enjoyed my time living in Seoul immensely and only fell more in love with the country I've loved for six years.

Although I'm back in the United States now, I want to continue blogging. I never had the time to blog as much as I wanted to in Korea because I wanted to make sure I was living in the moment. However, I still have so many pictures and stories to share, and blogging about my adventures in Korea will be a great way for me to look back and remember them.