Traveling to Cairns

During the mid-tri break, some friends and I went to Cairns with the main intention of exploring the Great Barrier Reef. The flight from Brisbane to Cairns and hostels in the area were pretty cheap. While planning the trip, we realized just how much there was to do in Cairns. Because it was still in Queensland, the bus system was the same used in Brisbane so getting around the city was easy, but renting a car was also an option because my friends were over 21.

The Great Barrier Reef was the main attraction. The second I was in the water I was surrounded by marine life. Even though it's bleaching, there is still so much life and beauty there. I loved it, but I also hope we can stop and reverse the effects of bleaching so future generations can experience the abundance of life the reef holds. There were other beaches nearby including Palm Cove and Port Douglas that were good for relaxing, swimming, and tide pooling. 

My friends and I decided to rent a car for two days to drive to Daintree rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world. In Kuranda, the part near Cairns, we hiked Baron Gorge and admired the amazing views from the skyliner. Deeper into the rainforest, we took a river cruise and spotted wild crocodiles. My favorite part was walking along Myall Beach at Cape Tribulation. It was so surreal to walk along the only place in the world where two UNESCO world heritage sites meet: the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest. Cairns was a beautiful place with incredible wildlife, and I hope to one day go back and look at it from a more scientific point of view.

Events on Griffith Nathan Campus

Especially in the beginning, I was very anxious about making friends. However it was really easy to meet people at events the campus put on. There was an international students orientation where I made a group of friends I kept up with the entire trimester. I also made a lot of local friends at clubs and other school events throughout the trimester.

Orientation was really focused on introducing international students to Australia and all of its animals. The Nathan campus is in the middle of Toohey forest, a protected sanctuary for koalas. We were welcomed with a traditional, aboriginal smoking ceremony where an Elder walked around with smoking eucalyptus leaves to cleanse our energies and invite us to a new land. We also got to go to the Australia Zoo and see the famous Crocodile show. 

The early trimester had a lot of social events at the UniBar on campus. Karaoke was a fun event with gift cards as prizes. Movie night in the forest was a cozy way to chill with the new friends you made. All events on campus were free, but the school also provided us with discounted tickets to events in the city. When the musical Jesus Christ Superstar came to the Queensland Performing Arts Center, we could buy cheap tickets and go with other students. We also got discounted tickets to climb the iconic Story Bridge in the city.

There was almost always something happening on campus. From game nights with prizes, to dogs to destress for midterms, to forest hikes where you could see koalas sleeping in the trees. It was easy to find something to do, and it was easy to make friends at all the events.

Semester at Sea: Field Programs

Semester at Sea offers many amazing opportunities while abroad, such as field programs! These are experiences you sign up for through the Semester at Sea program itself. They offer a wide variety of different adventures for all kinds of interests, including getting to see the local environment through hikes and unique wild life or getting to know the culture through meeting local people and trying local foods. These programs were so convenient because they had everything planned out for us, down to transportation and local guides, which made traveling a lot easier and stress free. I signed up for many of these programs and it was definitely worth it! A few of my favorites were in South Africa where I got to see Africa Black Footed Penguins in the wild, going to a Cheetah Conservation Center where I got to pet a cheetah, and go to a Safari in a Game Reserve. In Morocco, I also did an overnight field program where we went surfing, road camels, and got to eat dinner a a local family’s house which was my favorite meal of the whole trip! These programs offered so many unique opportunities that I could not have done on my own, I would definitely recommend future students going on Semester at Sea to sign up for ones that interest them!

Boulder Beach Penguin Colony (South Africa)

African Black Footed Penguins (South Africa)

Cheetah Conversation Center (South Africa)

Safari Game Reserve (South Africa)

Surfing (Morocco)

Camel Riding (Morocco)

Semester at Sea

For my study abroad I decided to go on Semester at Sea! One of my favorite “ports” was the MV World Odyssey… This ship was our home for the three and a half months we were abroad and we made so many amazing memories there. This is where we went to class, studied, ate, slept, and all hung out during our stretches at sea. There were so many fun events, including clubs, ship kid and crew talents shows, movie nights, and incredible guest lectures from the countries we were visiting. Two of my favorite events were Neptune Day and Sea Olympics! Neptune Day is a maritime tradition that sailors take part in when they cross that equator for the first time. Some of the “Staculty” (staff and faculty) put together a ceremony for us to celebrate. Sea Olympics was a whole day where we got to compete in games around the ship. It was very fun getting to cheer on my friends and team, as well as become closer with my shipboard community. Go Arabian Sea! Getting to go to school and live on a ship while traveling and getting to meet people from all over the world was truly such an incredible experience that I am grateful I got to have.

The pool deck

The Union, where we have classes and events

The Bridge, where the Captain and crew steer and oversee the ship

Picture with the Captain after the Alumni Ball

Sea Olympics 

 

!Arabian Sea

All of the seas together on the back decks of the ship

From Hawaii to Hanbok: Pt.2 of Study Abroad Prep Guide for South Korea

 Aloha everyone! 다시 조이스예요~

In my first post, I discussed pre-departure considerations, and now I’ll share some thoughts on what to expect upon arrival. You’ll need to make several adjustments to settle in effectively. 

So you made it! You landed in South Korea, collected your luggage, and now… what? Time to get settled in! Here are a few essential aspects to consider:

Transportation Essentials  

Before anything else, get a T-Money card. It functions similarly to a U-Pass or Holo Card (basically Korea’s version), and you’ll use it for buses, subways, and sometimes even convenience stores. The easiest place to grab one? The airport and you don’t have to pay for it! Just get it right after landing and load some cash onto it. 

Must-Have Apps 

A list of mobile applications that will significantly enhance your experience:  

1. Naver Maps – Forget Google Maps hehe, this is the go-to navigation app in Korea. 

2. KakaoMetro – Works with Naver Maps, which is helpful for planning subway routes and subway stops. 

3. Kakao T – The go-to app for booking taxis.  

4. KorailTalk – Necessary for reserving bullet train tickets or KTX (yes, you’ll want to take trips!). If you're considering your travel options, I highly recommend taking the subway. It's not only more affordable, but it also provides a chance to experience the local vibe and energy of the city. You can observe the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

However, if you're pressed for time and need to get to your destination quickly, KTX would be an excellent alternative. This high-speed train can get you where you need to go in no time. Just be sure to book your tickets in advance, as they can get quite popular during peak travel times.

On the other hand, if you have a more leisurely schedule and enjoy taking in the scenery, consider opting for a regional train or bus. These routes often take you through beautiful landscapes and quaint towns that you might otherwise miss when traveling at high speeds. Whichever option you choose, make sure to enjoy the ride!

5. KakaoTalk – This is the social messaging app in Korea—more popular than Insta, WhatsApp, or Snapchat.   

6. Papago – An effective translation tool for basic conversations especially if you’re still learning Korean.  

7. ChatGPT – Surprisingly useful for translating phrases with contextual accuracy.  

Learning Hangul  

Even if you’re not fluent and even when fluency in Korean is not required, learning how to read Hangul will make your life easier. You don’t need to be a language expert, but knowing how to decode store signs, menus, and directions will save you so much confusion.

SIM Cards & eSIMs  

If you have an eSIM, get one at the airport—it’s super convenient. If you do not require an eSIM, you can obtain a local SIM card from the university or nearby stores. Although my existing phone plan worked, I found that local Korean SIM cards offer better coverage and affordability, particularly for frequent travelers. Even though some international phone plans work in Korea like mine, honestly? Getting a local SIM is way cheaper and more reliable.  

Making Friends & Cultural Etiquette  

The people here are super welcoming. Korean students are generally welcoming and eager to introduce international students to local attractions. However, cultural differences should always be respected. Patience and understanding will go a long way in building meaningful connections.  

Language Exchange & Campus Events 

Participating in language exchange programs is an excellent way to meet local students. In my case, students from America (미국) had between six and eight exchange partners—I personally had eight and enjoyed each experience. So, language is a 10-week program. They'll pay you about 120,000 won, which comes to about 100 bucks—not too bad! It is a solid way to pick up some new skills or experiences. The 10-week commitment feels just right; it’s long enough to really engage with the students but short enough that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. 

Also, don’t skip on-campus events like Global Day, Cafe Hours, and Festivals! Spring festivals here are magical—from small local celebrations to cherry blossom festivals and even huge university concerts featuring K-pop artists. Basically, don't miss out!

From Hawaii to Hanbok: Pt.1 of Study Abroad Prep Guide for South Korea

 안녕하세요 여러분, 만나서 반가워요! If you’ve somehow stumbled onto this blog, you’re probably dreaming about—or already planning—a study abroad semester in South Korea. If so, be ready, because I’m about to give you the lowdown on everything I wish I had known before hopping on that plane.  

I’m Joyce, a sophomore nursing student currently making memories on an exciting study abroad journey in South Korea for the spring 2025 semester. Studying abroad is a wonderful experience, but preparation is key to ensuring a smooth transition. As a Nursing student, before committing to the program, I strongly recommend completing your major coursework first to avoid any complications with credit transfers. Trust me, you don’t want to deal with credit transfers messing up your graduation timeline.  

Now, let’s talk about pre-departure prep—because no one wants to land in a foreign country feeling totally lost.  

Essential Pre-Departure Considerations  

Visa Requirements:

Aside from the usual documents required by the Korean consulate, they also asked for an original copy of my grades and class schedules. Yep—my actual, physical copy. Depending on where you’re from, you might need different documents, so always double-check with the consulate. Pro tip: If your visa process requires an in-person visit (I processed my visa in person, so I advise checking the requirements well in advance to ensure you have everything ready.), book that appointment early to avoid last-minute panic.  

Packing Wisely: 

Listen, do not overpack. I repeat: DO NOT OVERPACK. Just bring what you need. It is important not to overpack.  If you know deep in your heart that you’re going to be hitting the shops (and trust me—you will), then resist the temptation to bring your entire wardrobe (like me). You will likely want to get back many items from Korea. Keeping your luggage light is a strategic decision. South Korea has amazing fashion, beauty products, and quirky souvenirs that you will want to bring home and may tempt you during your stay. Save space for those future hauls! 

Weather Awareness:

If you’re coming for the spring semester, bring a few warm layers for February and March, but don’t go crazy with winter clothes. As someone from Hawaii, I personally found February and March to be way colder than expected. However, the weather gradually became warmer. Bringing a few cold-weather essentials is advisable, but heavy winter clothing may not be necessary (for the spring semester!). Also, I've noticed that my skin gets super dry here. I really recommend bringing your own lotion because we all have different skin types. It's best to have something on hand that works for you to keep your skin moisturized.

Comfortable Footwear:  

Walking is an integral part of daily life in South Korea. Between campus commutes, trips to local markets, and city explorations, a sturdy pair of walking shoes will be invaluable. Personally, I noticed an increase in muscle tone in my legs due to the extensive walking! The stairs? Endless. The hills? Unforgiving. The walking distances? Surprisingly long. Please, do yourself a favor and invest in solid walking shoes before arriving.