Focus On… A Seoulful Ending

“A soulful experience is what it's been and a seoulful ending is how it concludes.” 

-Oh Dae 오데

Well, that’s it. It’s over.  No more trains to Busan. Journeys to Gyeongju or Jeonju.

Impulsive trips to Mokpo or Incheon even Island getaways to Jeju.

The semester in Korea has come to an end. The weekend before last, I came home for the first time with the sunrise. No, I’m not proclaiming this because I’m some party god. I’ll leave that title to a certain French guy from the 2nd floor of SK Global who went to 6 clubs in one night. And lived to tell the tale vividly with 6 nightclub entry ink stamps to show as proof of his escapades

As we came home that weekend, it started setting in that our time in Korea was coming to an end soon. Then began my downward spiral into bargaining with God to let this experience continue a bit longer. As the week pressed forward the first departure of one of the boys loomed and it hit me. That will be me soon I thought. More than that. It’ll be all of us. As the weekend approached and we went out again to Itaewon, being with my friends felt like we had begun the end credits. Our movie was coming to an end and it was only a matter of days before the screen read, “FIN”.

In an attempt to escape the impending departure, I did all I could. I tried to be with the people who had contributed to my experience as much as possible. Having as many meals, walks and adventures as possible. Anything to stand between me and my study abroad expiration date. 

Whether that was joining my friends in their own quest to attain long exposure shots.

One last trip out the city to Incheon again to hang with a certain German friend we met in Mokpo. 

Meeting with people, who had supported me throughout my time abroad. Their guidance and support made all the difference. 

Visiting Seoul Tower again but this time at night. It had been one of our first adventures. And it was only fitting to see it one more time. The heavens even graced us with a “blood moon” sighting. 

I even climbed Ansan mountain twice within the last week. Making that 3 times I’ve climbed it this semester. I wear my sweat stains with pride. I may or may not have smiled for a pic with a random Korean grandpa. When in Korea-right.

Dondaemon Design Plaza gave us some artsy vibes but when doesn’t it. 

Eventually, the clock began one of the most serious countdowns since the start of study abroad as it would be our last night all together as a group. We had dinner and then dessert from Tiger Hoot Time. Followed by a final photo booth. I asked that we take photos with no props. Selfishly, the only thing I wanted captured on film were us, the boys, my boys, “TheTwoSome boys”. Click. After click. I felt it. Click. We moved, shifted, huddled, squatted, smiled, laughed and grinned together.Click. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Normally, the night may have proceeded with karaoke but this time we decided not too. I honestly don’t think I had it in me but I did end up going for one last night hike. Getting back to the room exhausted, I drifted away. 

Sunday, I awoke to say “see you later”. We wished our friend safe travels and I gave a salute via the traditional Mokpo Heuksando whistle. The remaining boys wanted to go to a cafe, and I almost declined. But I reminded myself that soon we won't be this accessible anymore to one another. I went to Cafe Onion with them and devoured a chocolate scone with some freshly squeezed carrot juice. As we sit, in a Hanok style cafe, we discuss the complexities in what can cause a recession. At some point, it happened. I checked out. Emotionally, I had entered a space of just observing. I didn’t have the capacity to talk as much anymore. It was enough to just be there with them. That’s all I needed.  

Later that evening, I said bye to another friend heading back to Germany. I was grateful for our chance encounter. She’d wanted to hit the bar or karaoke after, again I wasn’t in the headspace for that anymore. Mentally, I was on the plane home but my body was consuming some spicy shabu shabu. In traditional study abroad fashion we hit a photo booth. As if the universe was showing its support, I ran into a childhood friend from elementary school outside of the restaurant. Constantly, I've been reassured that I was supposed to be there. There in South Korea.

We parted ways and I walked home. I knew it’d be about a 45 minute walk home but I needed it. Sentimentally, I took it because It was a route we’d often take home. More importantly, I needed it to release-allowing myself to fully become immersed in my feelings, my thoughts, and most importantly my experience. Overcome, with intense emotions surrounding the finale of study abroad, the flood gates opened. Walking past and through the places we visited felt eerie. It was only right though, that I give thanks to so many of the spaces and environments that supported us.

I walked through Sinchon and then took the long way back through campus. 

Finally, the last day had arrived. At least the last full day in Seoul. The day consisted of goodbyes, one last Chicken Tikka  Masala from Jyoti, one last island adventure on the Han river, one more stop by my favorite park to swing at and then pick up some cookies.  We had dinner and just hung out enjoying each other’s company. 

Moving out was a blur and before I knew it I was on a plane headed home. That’s it. It was over. I’d come a long way from the kid who arrived in February. That was the end…

Or so I thought. I arrived home on a Tuesday and thus began the regaling of my experiences to my family and friends. My heart was full getting to hug my dad at the airport and seeing all my loved ones.

When I parted ways with the study abroad bros, I thought it’d be awhile till I saw any of them again. Until, I got the notification that a friend had gotten their first assignment in Miami of all places. Of course I had to go see them. It woke me up from my post study abroad daze.

Relationships I forged didn’t end when I got on the plane home. If anything, they’d only just begun. While the Korean adventure I embarked on may be over, the experiences and relationships created live on. Endings aren’t really the end; they only serve as necessary mechanisms to embark on the next adventure- a new dawn.

I, David Barbier Jr, humbly thank all those who contributed to making study abroad a success. That includes all my readers who tuned into “Focus On”. I started this blog to get me in the mindset of actively processing and documenting my experiences abroad. You’re feedback and comments were great in helping me shape the output of my written voice.Studying abroad has been one of the biggest leaps of faith I’ve taken and I’m so glad I did.Can’t wait till I get to do some more Seoul Searching. The sun only sets to rise again and I can see it now, a new dawn is coming. I wonder where the next adventure will take me or should I say … us.

Ciao!