Seoul
I spent ten months in the city of Seoul where I did two semesters at a very old Buddhist university. I had an incredible time there! I met a lot of foreign and French students with whom I traveled across the country, shared unforgettable experiences and great parties.
I chose Seoul for my studies because Dongguk is an old Buddhist university in the heart of the city and because Seoul is one of the most developed city of Asia, very large and very cultural. There is so much to see, eat and do in the city and the country ...
My recommendations:
- Pedalo on the Han river.
- Discover raccoons from a new perspective in a raccoon café.
- Take a tour and shopping in Gangnam, the luxury district of the city and stop to discover the latest innovations at Samsung D'light.
Busan
Over a long weekend, we left by bus with friends to Busan. This city in the south of the country, also called Pusan, is very famous for its colorful village, its incredible temple and its fish gastronomy. The city is very pleasant to visit and certainly to live also because of its beaches, its international film festival, and its various attractions.
In summer or in winter, one can enjoy the beauty of the city, while avoiding the hordes of tourists. It is easy to get around by bus or metro in the heart of the city and taxis are not very expensive.
My recommendations:
- Visit the beautiful Haedong Yonggungsa temple by the sea at sunrise or sunset.
- Take a trip to Gamcheon culture village for colorful photos and a relaxed afternoon.
- Go for a swim or spend the day at Haeundae Beach.
SONGNISAN
On the way to Busan, we stopped for a temple stay, a stay in a temple where we slept, ate and performed the rituals of the monks in a temple. This temple in the middle of nature dates from the 7th century and is suitable for stays of this kind and offers many relaxation activities.
We spent two days dressed very simply, ate vegetarian, and hiked extensively in Songnisan National Park. It was an unforgettable time where we got up at dawn to watch the monks pray and pray with them and we participated in the lantern ceremony in front of a giant bronze statue of Buddha.
My recommendations:
- Take a hike to enjoy the view of the valley.
- Spend the day visiting and walking around the Beopjusa temple.
DAEGU
In the south of the country is Daegu (also called Taegu) surrounded by mountains. One weekend, I met a friend there to discover the other partner university campus of my Bordeaux university and to visit the city . It's a nice city to recharge your batteries on a weekend but there is not so much to see or do in my opinion. The city is quite student-friendly so it's easy to go out and enjoy a good night out in the bars.
My recommendations:
- Enjoy the very quiet Donghwasa Temple which is not overrun by tourists.
- Unearth fashion items in one of the 4000 stores of Seomun Market.
- Admire the view of Daegu from the 83 Tower.
Sokcho
After having visited most of the country and its various landscapes, it remained to visit the North East. We went to see the beaches of Sokcho, a few hours by bus from Seoul. On the day of good weather, we took advantage of the golden sand beach and on the day of bad weather, we did some sightseeing in the city.
Like any seaside town, there are many fresh fish restaurants, gourmet markets and quite pleasant beaches. Regarding Sokcho, there is a small typical neighborhood where you can stroll around for a few hours, but also a pleasant night market with various street food stalls.
My recommendations:
- Enjoy a delicious fish barbecue at 88 Saengseon Gui.
- Walk the aisles of Jungang market.
- Take a walk in Abai village by crossing thanks to a tethered ferry to link each bank.
Namhae Island
Newly arrived in South Korea and with my new group of friends, we ended up booking a student weekend with other students from Seoul in the south of the country for an all-inclusive stay. By the sea, we were able to enjoy the sea, take a hike and visit a temple, and make friends with other students like us.
If like me you are a student in Seoul, it is very interesting to participate in this kind of weekend even if they are not official weekends. They allow you to quickly make friends and enjoy student life!
My recommendations:
- Take a short hike to Hallyeohaesang National Park.
- Visit Boriam Temple surplombing the valley .
