Today was packed with so many fun and unique experiences! We started our day at the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, where we got a glimpse into how Korean soldiers defended themselves back in the day. The structure itself was massive and beautiful, and it was fascinating to imagine what life was like during that time. The weather was perfect — sunny with a nice breeze — which made walking around the fortress even more enjoyable. One of the highlights was getting to try archery! It was so fun, and I was proud that I actually hit the target with one of my arrows. Definitely not as easy as it looks, but such a cool experience.

After the fortress, we headed to the Samsung Innovation Museum. It was amazing to see how Samsung started and how much it has grown over the years. From their early electronics to their newest technology, it was impressive to see how far they’ve come. The AI-powered refrigerator especially blew my mind — it’s so futuristic, and I already want one in my kitchen someday! Once we finished up at Samsung, we made our way to the Myeongdong shopping district. It was super busy and a little overwhelming at first, but also so exciting to be surrounded by so many shops, street food stalls, and people. There was so much to see, and it felt like every corner had something new to explore.

To end the night, we had a special welcome dinner featuring a traditional Korean meal. The food was incredible — I even got to dress up in hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) at the restaurant, which made the experience feel even more special. The kimchi was delicious, and I already want to go back for more. As if the day couldn’t get any better, Chris surprised us with dessert afterward. My group shared a strawberry, mango, and tiramisu dessert, and they were huge and so tasty. Big thanks to Chris for the sweet treat! Overall, it was such an eventful day, full of learning, laughter, and memories I’ll never forget.