Seoul, South Korea, Zip Code: 01015
Two years ago, I landed in Seoul with two suitcases, a heart full of excitement, and zero idea of what to expect. I’d never been to South Korea before. I’d watched a few K-dramas, knew who BTS was, and had tried kimchi once at a food festival in Delhi. But that’s about it. When I got the chance to move here for work, it felt equal parts terrifying and thrilling. I said yes.
Because sometimes, you just have to.
The First Few Weeks: Lost but Loving It
I still remember my first day—stepping out of the airport, breathing in that crisp air, and thinking, Okay, this is real. The city was electric—huge glass buildings, clean streets, people walking around like they had somewhere very important to be.
Everything felt unfamiliar. The signs were in Hangul, the food looked amazing but mysterious, and I had no clue how to use the subway. I got lost a lot those first few weeks. Google Maps doesn’t always help here, by the way.
But I didn’t mind. There was a weird kind of joy in being clueless. I was suddenly curious about everything—the way locals dressed, how cafés always looked like Instagram dreams, why everyone loved bubble tea so much. It was like stepping into a whole new universe.
From Code to Culture Shock
I moved here for work—I’m an IT professional, mostly focused on systems integration and cloud infrastructure. Back in India, I worked with global clients, but moving to Seoul meant joining a Korean tech firm full-time. It’s been a learning curve.
The work culture here is very different. It’s super structured, extremely punctual, and there’s a lot of unspoken hierarchy. At first, I worried I wouldn’t fit in, especially with the language barrier. But over time, I found my groove. Tech is a universal language in some ways—once you’re troubleshooting a server crash, everyone speaks the same panic!
I’ve been lucky to work with some really smart and kind colleagues. They’ve been patient with my Korean, introduced me to soju (after work, of course), and even helped me find the best gimbap near the office.
When Culture Shock Hits (and Then Slowly Melts)
There were awkward moments too. Like when I bowed to the barista at a coffee shop without thinking, or how I struggled to figure out when to say annyeonghaseyo and when not to. Korean customs are subtle and beautiful, but definitely different.
People here are polite, reserved, and super respectful of personal space—very different from the loud, expressive energy I grew up with in India. At first, it felt like everyone was distant. But over time, I realized: it’s just a different way of connecting. Quiet kindness shows up in little gestures here—a smile, a shared umbrella, a perfectly packed lunchbox from a colleague.
And slowly, the city started to feel less like a puzzle and more like home.
Beauty, Mountains, and Late-Night Convenience Stores
One of the things I fell completely in love with? The way Seoul balances fast-paced city life with pockets of calm. One minute you’re shopping in the trendy lanes of Hongdae, the next you’re hiking up a mountain trail with cherry blossoms falling all around you.
On weekends, I love wandering around Hanok villages, sipping matcha lattes in hidden cafés, or heading to the mountains for a quick hike. Seoul is clean, safe, and surprisingly green. The parks, rivers, and biking paths are a lifesaver.
Hanok Village
And don’t get me started on Korean beauty. I never thought I’d be someone with a ten-step skincare routine, but here I am, comparing serums and hoarding sheet masks like it’s a sport.
Learning the Language
I decided to learn Korean after about a year here—and let me tell you, Hangul looks intimidating, but it’s actually pretty logical once you get the hang of it.
I still mess up all the time but locals really appreciate the effort. Even just being able to say simple things like “thank you” or “where’s the subway?” in Korean has helped me feel way more connected.
Language opened doors—literally and emotionally. It made me less of a tourist and more of a participant in this city.
Finding My People
Even with all the adventure and discovery, there were moments I missed home—badly. I craved the noise, the warmth, the chai, the chaos.
That’s when I found the Indian expat community here. We’re not a huge group, but we’ve got each other. We meet for potlucks, celebrate Diwali with diyas and homemade sweets, and swap tips on where to find the best paneer in Seoul (there’s this one place in Itaewon, lifesaver).
Being part of this little desi bubble gives me the comfort of home, while still letting me explore a new world outside it.
So, What’s Life Like Now?
Honestly? Pretty amazing. Seoul has this quiet confidence—it doesn’t try to impress you. It just is. And if you give it time, it’ll slowly wrap around you
like a soft, cozy scarf on a winter day.
I still get homesick. I still sometimes miss Indian street food and random conversations with strangers. But I’ve also grown in ways I never imagined. I’ve become more independent, more curious, and way more open to the unknown.
Living here hasn’t just been about adapting to a new culture. It’s been about discovering a new version of myself—someone who codes all day, hikes on weekends, eats tteokbokki at midnight, and can (almost) carry a conversation in Korean.
Seoul didn’t just change my location. It changed my perspective.
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