So this past week really passed by in a blur! Just been getting homework done, going to classes, trying to get things done ahead of time. My mom will be here in two weeks! So excited to show her around Busan and see so many places together.

I have about 40 days left here in Korea and I am sad about that, but I’m also incredibly ready to come home. I’m sure after sleeping on the couch a few days I’ll be missing my bunk bed in Busan, but I’m ready to be back in Texas. This experience has been absolutely incredible and it’s really allowed me the opportunity to grow into myself, become more independent and self sufficient, and also just open me up. I’ve learned the difficulties of working in groups, translating apps are blessings, and subways are honestly the best way to get around the city. There are so many things about Busan and Korea I will miss when I leave and I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad here.

So my Wednesday Adventure this week took me to Gamcheon Cultural Village. This are was once a slums village before the city took an interest in revitalizing the area. In an effort to improve the quality of experience and environment the local government partnered with local artists to paint the village with murals. The village has now become an explorative art street/neighborhood of sorts. They’ve also introduced restaurants, gift shops, cafes and dessert places, and art studios throughout the neighborhood as well. It’s really now become a sort of tourist hotspot and a place to visit and experience part of Busan. The village is actually still home to many locals so there were signs everywhere asking people to respect the privacy of those living there. Many korean locals that I have talked to about Gamcheon have said that is not that popular for Koreans or a place they care to visit because it is not that special and still not that nice of an area despite the efforts made to revitalize the village. Those that live in the area were not the biggest fans of all the changes because they brought so many people to their homes, kind of ruining their peace at home. It was really interesting to see, especially from an architecture student standpoint during this semester where our studio project is all about Urban Regeneration.

This week on my Wednesday adventure I’m hoping to maybe go hiking or visit a temple, we’ll see what I get up to and I’ll write all about it next week! I have a film analysis paper due this week, studio progress, and a homework assignment for my world studies class. Still working on korean language and looking for online resources to help me learn the rules, because unfortunately my professor is having to rush the class to cover the textbook so many of us that are trying to learn korean for the first time are struggling a bit.

This past Friday was also my little sisters Senior Night at the football game. In true “making it work” fashion I am in the family photos via FaceTime, thank you Apple and WiFi FaceTime calls. So very thankful for my incredible family and so proud of my sister rocking her senior year. Glad I was able to share it with her that night from Korea.

Looking forward to another great week and getting to see more of Busan and South Korea in these last 40 days here! Enjoy pictures of food, actual Fall colors in the trees, and my family at the football game Friday night. If you look close enough you’ll see me on the phone screen in Korea!