South Korea was the first country I had visited and lived in without any prior knowledge of the language spoken there. And let me tell you – it wasn’t easy and fun in the beginning. As an experienced traveler, I never imagined myself in a situation, where going to a cafe to buy lunch or a cup of coffee would turn into a stressful quest.
Previously, if I traveled to a new country, I could find my way around by speaking English, Russian or some German and Spanish (the last two languages I learned in middle and high school). My initial frustration of not being able to read signs, understand what people are saying to me or even communicate the most simple requests pushed me towards mastering some very specific sentences in Korean and finding ways of avoiding long conversations, while still receiving the service I needed and enjoying my experience to the fullest.
My first tip for anyone, who is going abroad and doesn’t know the language of said country, is to create a list of phrases you will be using for daily interactions. Let me elaborate on that. Most likely, you will be taking some language courses during your study away program, however, learning a new language usually doesn’t start with a phrase such as “I would like one iced Cappuccino with almond milk to go, please”. And trust me, you will definitely need to know how to order various types of food and drinks, no matter how well you know or don’t know the language.
I created the list of words and phrases on-site after the first 4-5 days of struggling to buy food at the supermarkets, but I highly recommend completing it in advance, so you already know some sentences by the time you arrive. My personal list included some basic questions you get asked by waiters (such as, “A table for how many people?” or “Do you want to split the bill?”) and the follow up questions one might have when ordering a dish (“Is it spicy?” or “Can I have the rest to-go, please?”). Besides, knowing the names of famous dishes that you want to try abroad is a must!
Basic Greetings
Well, now you know how to communicate at cafes, restaurants and supermarkets, so what’s next? After mastering that, I recommend learning basic greetings, how to say “Thank you” and “Please”, which can be summarized as “general polite manners”. You don’t want to be seen as rude, even though locals are usually more understanding of foreigners, who might make some silly mistakes, while trying their best to speak a new language. I think everyone appreciates the efforts one takes to explain themselves in a foreign language, and doing so usually brings its perks back to you.
I noticed that even if you make grammatical or lexical errors, people will still understand you and even smile back, so don’t be shy or scared to practice your recently learnt phrases with local people! For anyone with some specific physical or mental needs, I highly recommend learning some basic vocabulary connected with your condition, so you can explain to strangers if you’re in pain or have to go to the hospital. Finally, it doesn’t hurt to know how to ask for directions if you get lost (even though these days everyone has online maps), as after a long and exciting day your phone might run out of battery, and nobody wishes to get lost in a foreign city.
Keep going!
The more you practice – the more comfortable you feel speaking a new language and interacting with people. However, what if one day you don’t feel like talking to anyone, yet you don’t want to spend the entire day at home alone. Don’t worry, I and South Korea got you! I was pleasantly surprised how easy and convenient it was for a solo-traveler to explore Seoul and other cities in South Korea.
Sightseeing activities are either free or pretty affordable, most of the signs are translated to English, so you wouldn’t feel left out exploring museums or galleries. Seoul is famous for its traditional palaces that are open to tourists. I highly recommend renting a national Korean clothing Hanbok on a sunny day and exploring one of the palaces (the entrance is free if you wear the Hanbok). There are numerous sightseeings outside, including parks, forests and the famous Han river which flows through the entire city.
As for places to eat – it’s pretty common for Korean restaurants to have tablets connected to a table, where you order and pay without having to talk to a waiter. Of course, you would still need to know the names of the main ingredients, but sometimes I’d choose a dish purely based on the picture. And finally, don’t be shy to use the translator in front of the people! Papago is a great app I’ve been using during my entire time in South Korea, usually to translate some complicated menu items or to double check if I was saying a phrase correctly.
The journey of immersing oneself in a foreign culture, especially when it comes to language, can be both challenging and rewarding. My experience in South Korea was a testament to this. Through trial and error, I discovered the importance of mastering key phrases for everyday interactions and basic politeness.
As I moved beyond the realm of everyday communication, delving into cultural exploration, I embraced the rich tapestry of South Korean sights and experiences. From traditional palaces to parks, Seoul offered plenty of opportunities for solo exploration, with accessibility and technology decreasing the language barrier. I kept my perseverance and an open mind, and the initial linguistic challenge evolved into a transformative journey of discovery and connections for me.
Blog by Veronika Kostyaeva, Bennington College
Semester in Seoul - Sogang University
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