Today began with a bit of chaos as we experienced several delays. One of our peers wasn’t feeling well and had to be taken to the hospital by Dr. Yun, while another lost their passport—prompting Chris to help arrange a meeting at the U.S. Embassy for a temporary replacement. On top of everything, it was raining, which added an extra layer of gloom to an already hectic morning.
Once things finally settled, we made our way to Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s most prestigious universities. Due to the late start, our first activity was lunch at the university’s cafeteria. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, especially when comparing it to what we typically get at Pitt. I ordered omurice, which was generously paid for by Dr. Yun, and added sesame chicken for a small extra cost. It was a simple but satisfying meal that fueled us for the afternoon.
We then began our campus tour, starting with the business school. Since we didn’t have any formal connections there, this portion of the tour was relatively brief. However, the visit became more engaging when we moved on to the engineering department, where we were hosted by a Pitt alum who is now a professor at Yonsei. She introduced us to a few of her students, and we participated in a Q&A session that gave us insight into academic life at Yonsei.
The highlight of the visit was touring one of the neuroscience labs. The lab focused on cognitive research using rats with Alzheimer’s, and we got to see their ongoing experiments firsthand. It was a unique and fascinating experience that offered a glimpse into the depth of research being conducted at the university.
For dinner, we were on our own. A group of us headed back to Starfield COEX Mall and decided to eat at Outback Premium, Korea’s elevated version of the classic American steakhouse. The experience exceeded expectations. I had mushroom cream soup, a New York strip steak with sweet potato, and shared burrata pasta with my friend John. The food was incredible—much better than any Outback I’ve had in the U.S.—and the upscale atmosphere made it a memorable meal.
Despite the rocky start, the day ended on a high note. I’m looking forward to what the final days of this trip have in store.
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