A candid story from a Vietnamese student in South Korea “The journey of growing up in the land of Kimchi” Hello. I am currently a Vietnamese student studying in South Korea. This article is simply a story of my honest experiences. I hope it can be a small help to those dreaming of studying in Korea, and I also wish for Koreans to understand our lives as international students a little better. When I first came to Korea, everything was exciting and full of anticipation. The Korea I saw in dramas was truly sparkling, and everyone seemed so friendly, and I thought all the food would be delicious. But once I actually lived here, I realized that travel and reality are really different. The language is different, the culture is different, and communication in daily life was not easy. Even though I am Asian, there were moments when I felt a subtle distance because I am not Korean. When someone quietly moved their seat on the subway, I felt upset but tried to understand. Rather than getting angry... it just hurt my heart a little. My Korean was not enough with just the TOPIK score. I had passed TOPIK level 4, but when I arrived at Incheon Airport and tried to take a taxi, I was really embarrassed when no one understood me. The words I learned from books were so different from what actual Koreans used. In the end, I learned little by little through working at a supermarket, chatting with neighbors… One day, when a customer said, “You sound like a Korean,” I was overwhelmed with emotion. I thought, “I have grown this much.” And then there’s the money issue. The cost of living in Korea is much higher than I expected. Rent, food, insurance, tuition… everything was a burden. I worked part-time at cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls while attending school, and after class, when I went straight to work, my body was exhausted. Still, I endured while thinking of my parents. Making friends was not easy at first. I thought, “I will make many friends when I come to Korea!” but it took time for us to open our hearts to each other. The first friend I made was a coworker. She helped me wipe the tables without saying a word and contacted me first when I caught a cold. Thanks to her, I gained courage and was able to open my heart. And above all, I am proud to be a Vietnamese international student. I challenged myself knowing it was not an easy path, and I did not give up. I have learned a lot and am still learning. If there are any Vietnamese students dreaming of studying in Korea, make sure to master the Korean language to a living standard, and prepare a strong mentality, survival skills, and a heart that does not give up. “Going abroad = Comfort” is definitely not true. If there are any Koreans reading this, thank you very much for reading. We are not perfect, but we always put our hearts into our efforts. If you see an international student struggling with awkward Korean on the street, just smile once. That small smile can be a great strength for us. We are all young, and we are trying to become better people no matter where we are. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow like this in a country called Korea. A Vietnamese international student sends greetings to Korea. 💌 ------------------------- A heartfelt sharing from a Vietnamese student in South Korea “The journey of growing up in the land of Kimchi” Hello everyone, I am a Vietnamese student studying and living in South Korea. This is a straightforward article – just the genuine experiences I have gone through. I write this hoping to help those who are nurturing dreams of coming to Korea, and also for Koreans to understand more about the journey we have been through. Culture shock – it’s real and not easy at all. I was very excited when preparing to come to Korea – everything I saw in Korean movies was dazzling, the food was delicious, and Koreans were friendly. But when I lived here, I realized that “studying abroad” is not like a vacation. Differences in language, culture, and communication made me quite overwhelmed. As an Asian but not Korean, I sometimes still felt discrimination. One day on the subway, the person sitting next to me stood up just because they thought I was a foreigner. I understood – I didn’t blame them, but I felt sad. Korean – learning not just to pass exams but to survive. I had passed TOPIK level 4 before coming to Korea. But when I just set foot in Incheon Airport, I called a taxi and no one understood me. That was the first shock. The Korean in textbooks and everyday Korean are very different. I had to relearn from scratch through part-time jobs, listening to neighbors talk, going to markets, and supermarkets… Until one day, a customer complimented me: “You speak Korean as naturally as a Korean.” I was moved to tears. Money – a topic that is not easy to talk about but everyone has to deal with. At home, I only thought that studying hard would be enough. But when I came to Korea, the cost of living made me worry about every penny. Rent, food, tuition, insurance, utilities… everything was expensive. I worked many jobs – from serving in restaurants and cafes to selling in shopping malls. There were days when I rushed to class right after work, my body exhausted, my hands and feet felt like they had no strength left. But thinking of my parents back home working hard, I told myself not to complain. Friends – both a support and a challenge. I once thought it would be easy to make friends with Koreans. But it was not so. Connecting with Koreans requires initiative, sincerity, and time. My first friend was a girl I worked with. She gently taught me each Korean phrase, helped me wipe tables, and texted me to check on me when I was sick. I realized that if I lived authentically, Koreans would feel that. Proud to be a Vietnamese student – because we do not easily give up. I have witnessed many friends give up due to pressure. There were times I cried and thought about going back. But then I remembered the reason I came – it was a dream, it was ambition. I did not want to give up halfway. Every day here, I learned not only knowledge but also the courage to become a better version of myself. 🌟 If you are Vietnamese wanting to study in Korea: Make sure to learn Korean well, build a strong mindset, and prepare survival skills. Don’t be mistaken that going abroad is easy – because to live well in a foreign land, you will need to put in much more effort. 🧡 If you are Korean reading this: Thank you for reading this far. I hope you can understand a little more about Vietnamese international students – those who always strive to live well, study well, and integrate into your country. We are not perfect, but we are very sincere. If you see an international student looking confused, please smile – because that smile can make a tiring day much easier to bear. If you have any questions about studying in South Korea, don’t hesitate to contact me. 💌 A greeting from a Vietnamese international student to Korea.