Being here for just shy of a month has been absolutely amazing,Ā and I’m sure that will continue, however I have slowly noticed a strange transition happening. Slowly I am moving from as endlessly energetic and adventurous tourist into a full-time student living in Seoul. This is not to say I am enjoying it less or lacking excitement, in fact this weekend I left Seoul for the first time travelling to Gangneung to swim in the sea before the temperature drops. In fact it is almost the opposite,Ā exactly becauseĀ I am becoming more confident with the country many more doors are opening to me. I now feel able to get transport cross-country with ease, communicate (not quite in Korean) with locals both in and out of Seoul, and generally have a stable life in Korea. The change is in fact just happening in my head. After many many days you become used to the city and a newfound comfort sets in, bringing back everyday elements which were lost during the ā€˜touristā€™ phase in the first few weeksā€”for example I have started cooking for myself more, and spending more time in my room in the evenings.Ā This heavily contrasts the ā€˜touristā€™ phase, where every waking moment was spent exploring Seoul and finding my place within the city, but it is probably a direct result of having such an intense touristy period.

Sunset in Gangneung
Sunset in Gangneung

Settling down in this way feels strange as Iā€™m abroad and it feels like I should be spending every second exploring, but then again I have never spent over a month abroad and knowing I am here for the year changes that. So maybe now instead of getting used to Seoul as a city, I need to get used to living here long-term having exhausted a large number of the touristy thingsĀ to do inĀ the city. That said I am excited to see what lies beneath that very superficial surface, which I am sure to find over the coming months.

Gangneung Beach

Despite all this talk of settling down I actually have a number of plans for the near future, both in and out of Seoul! The 30thĀ brings my first Korean music concert, which Iā€™ve been looking forward to since early September. A DMZ trip on the 13thĀ will bring a new insight into the North/South division. Visiting the Busan International Film Festival for a week is possibly what I am looking forward to the most (we even get a week off uni for it!). A temple tour organised by Dongguk (as they are a Buddhist university) will bring in yet another layer of Korean culture.

Gangneung Market

Not to mention the period of Chuseok which gives a week national holiday, which may allow me to travel around the country a little (if transport permits it!).

Atop Mangwolsa

In all I have even more to look forward to than I have experienced thus far, and although I feel more comfortable with my student life in Seoul it shall not halt my explorations farther afield!

Tourist to (temporary) Resident

Leo Barton


I am a filmmaker and film student currently studying in one of the most exciting environments for filmmaking in the world--South Korea!


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