Welcome to My Blog

Sarah

Where I rave (and sometimes complain) about my experiences living in Colombia and South Korea, and hope it serves as a guide for others like me. Two very different cultures, yet similar in some respects. Both out of my comfort zone, which is why I decided I had to check them out, conquer them in a way. “You’re moving to Colombia? Alone? A single woman? That’s a terrible idea!”were the words that I heard when I let my friends know I was leaving to teach in Colombia. “Why???” said everyone. Why not? The resistance was exactly why I felt my decision was the right one. Though it wasn’t always easy. Not in Colombia, and especially not in South Korea. When you’re in a country where you’re obviously a foreigner, there are little challenges that come up on a daily basis. If you’re adventurous, as I am quite a bit of the time, you’ll find these little challenges thrilling, opportunities for learning.

South Korea Trip

Spectacular Tourist Attractions in South Korea

Gyeongju

Cheomseongdae Observatory

Jogyesa

Cherry Blossom Festival in South Korea

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Hallasan

Seoraksan National Park

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju

South Korea was very different from Colombia, and in thinking about it, I realized that I had gone there with some preconceived notions about the country. In my year at Seoul (with some trips to the countryside) I went on to revise most of my ideas about South Korea.

South Koreans are not all obsessed with appearance, test scores (over experience), work, alcohol, buying things and other stereotypes. At least, not any more than the average person in a modern, capitalist country. And they are not all small. There were some women in my school about my size.

My South Korea Trip

My Favorite Quote

“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one’s lifetime.”

– Mark Twain –

Colombia Trip

The most diverse and scenic Tourist Attractions in Colombia

Las Lajas Sanctuary

Museo Botero

Teleférico de Monserrate

Gold Museum Bogota

Tayrona National Natural Park

El Peñón de Guatapé

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Los Nevados National Natural Park

I had been warned against going solo in Colombia. But I don’t regret it, even after some hearing some horror stories that, I’m ashamed to rejoice, didn’t happen to me. Somehow I escaped the worst of misogyny and violence that some other women I met told me they experienced.But I also saw the friendliness of Colombian locals. And I learned and was forced to speak Spanish, a language that I didn’t know before I went, would become such a big part of my life.

My Colombia Trip