Photos by Fayre Maxine Flores
My fondest memories of studying abroad weren’t just from the classroom. They’re also from doing skincare routines with friends, taking late-night walks to the convenience store, and spending weekends at nearby shopping strips.
My South Korea experience set the bar high: walkable spaces, easy access to essentials, a variety of eats, and a sense of community.
Living in a dorm within a university town during my exchange program in South Korea has redefined my standards of living—probably, forever.
Communal spaces
I lived with two dormmates in one room, but with our own beds and study tables, it never felt cramped. We each had our own little corners, so privacy was never really an issue.
Despite being far from home, I never really felt alone. The dormitory’s communal spaces gave me a sense of community. With a shared bathroom, kitchen, and lobby, even mundane routines became exciting when shared with others. We traded stories over meals and fell into each other’s daily rhythms.
Convenience
Outside our dorm, the university was also convenient, with classes only a five-minute walk—as long as we didn’t bump into someone along the way. Inside the campus, there was a bakery and a convenience store. Oftentimes, we would grab breakfast or a snack before heading to class.
What made life even easier was how accessible the basics were.
For meals, the university cafeteria was great. But if we wanted something else, there were a ton of restaurants right outside the school gate. From tiny home-style shops run by an ajumma or ajusshi, to fast food chains, and tons of cafes, it was clear that the food scene revolved around student life: affordable, filling, and never too far away.
Accessibility
What made life even easier was how accessible the basics were.
A nearby mini grocery offered fruits and cooking essentials. When we needed a bigger supermarket, the bus stop outside the university gate made the trip effortless.
Within a 20-minute walk was a traditional market where we also found our other essentials, from bedding and kitchenware to pajamas. It was my favorite place to buy freshly cooked rice cakes. The market was also beside a shopping strip where we spent countless weekends.
Everything we needed for unwinding was also close at hand.
Daiso had our practical needs, Artbox covered our stationery needs, and clothing shops saved us whenever the seasons changed.
Fun and leisure
Everything we needed for unwinding was also close at hand.
There was a photo booth station within a minute’s walk that captured all our memories from post-exam celebrations to unforgettable night outs. Small bars dotted the streets. We never knew their real names, so we called them depending on their neon glow, like “purple bar” or “red bar.”
To end the night, we would hit one of the many coin karaoke shops to sing our hearts out.
We each had our own little corners, so privacy was never really an issue.
And when the town felt too small, a quick 15-minute taxi ride took us to the nearest train station for a trip to Seoul. We felt like we had everything: a neighborhood that felt like home, and a big city we could run to for adventure.
Shaping my daily life
My time in a university town showed me how much the right neighborhood can shape my daily life.
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Now that I’m starting life as a young professional, I catch myself searching for that same balance of comfort and convenience. My South Korea experience set the bar high: walkable spaces, easy access to essentials, a variety of eats, and a sense of community.
