Three months ago, I returned home from my first trip to Korea — and it’s hard to describe just how deeply it changed me.
What began as simple curiosity quickly became something more meaningful. Walking through Seoul, meeting locals, and experiencing daily life there gave me a profound appreciation for the warmth, discipline, and creativity of the Korean people. I came back inspired — not just to visit again, but to truly connect.
Getting Serious
That’s when I decided to start learning Korean. For the past two months, I’ve been self-studying, diving into Hangul, the Korean writing system, and exploring the structure of the language. To my surprise, Hangul was far more logical and intuitive than I expected. Within weeks, I could read signs, lyrics, and short sentences — and it felt like unlocking a new part of the world each time.
The biggest challenge so far has been pronunciation. Korean has sounds that don’t exist in English, and mastering them takes patience and practice. But I’ve found that challenge exciting — it pushes me to listen more carefully and to appreciate the musical rhythm of the language itself.
Looking Ahead
Now, I’m taking the next step. I’m looking for a formal classroom setting where I can learn properly, develop good habits, and gain real conversational fluency to help my personal Korean conversational skills but business conversational skills too. My goal isn’t just to “pick up” Korean — it’s to understand it deeply, with respect for the culture and the people who inspired me in the first place so I can clearly explain my love of the culture.
More Than a Language
Learning Korean has become more than a hobby. It’s a reminder of how language can build bridges — between people, ideas, and even worlds. It’s deepened my love for Korea and strengthened my belief that understanding begins with genuine curiosity and effort.
I’m excited to see where this journey leads next — one word, one sentence, one connection at a time.
