Today was full of tradition and innovation!
We started the day at Hwaseong Fortress and took a tour of the large property. It was amazing to see another historic site with such beautiful structures and architecture. With all the greenery and a scenic pond, it was a perfect sight to enjoy on such a beautiful day.

After that, our professor was kind enough to treat us to some traditional Korean food. We had kimchi stew and a kimchi pancake—one of the dishes I was really looking forward to trying. I was so excited to finally experience it, and it was definitely worth the wait. Even though it was a hot day, the tasty soup made it so much better and gave me the energy for our next activity: the Samsung Innovation Museum.

While we all know Samsung is a massive company that produces a wide range of products, I didn’t realize just how broad their scope truly is. It was fascinating to see how much the company has grown and how many ways they continue to innovate. From a TV that rotates to mimic a phone, to a refrigerator with sensors that track your groceries—it was all incredibly impressive. I can honestly say I’ve never been so fascinated by kitchen appliances!

To end the day, we had a group dinner at a traditional Korean restaurant with a fixed menu. I was able to try even more new foods, and everything exceeded my expectations. Lastly, we explored the city center for some shopping, which was a great way to wind down and enjoy the night scenery.