Today was rainy — to say the least. But honestly, the weather added to the atmosphere, giving the day a cozy, cinematic feel that I actually enjoyed. Our destination was Yonsei University, one of the most prestigious schools in South Korea. After navigating public transportation in the downpour, we finally arrived just in time for lunch. We were handed meal tickets to choose from four daily options (I think?), and I went with the fried shrimp omelette rice. Now, a lot of things on this trip have been delicious, but this dish? Hands down my new favorite — well, at least until dinner. The sauces here are next-level and elevate everything they’re paired with. The cafeteria was packed, but the food alone makes me want to come back.

After lunch, we toured parts of the university grounds, including a statue of Yonsei’s founder. What stood out most was hearing that the statue still bears bullet holes from the Japanese occupation. It turns out the entire campus was built on a former battleground, which adds so much depth and history to the space. As a business major, I was especially excited to see the university’s business school. I was genuinely impressed by the programs, facilities, and especially how affordable tuition is compared to the U.S. I’d love to come back for a summer semester — if I can get through the application process. Apparently, international students have a slightly easier time getting in, but for local students, only the top 2% of high schoolers even qualify. It’s tough, but clearly a school that only takes the best.

We also toured the engineering department and visited a few research labs. We got to speak with some alumni who are currently working in bioengineering, including one group studying potential treatments for Alzheimer’s using neurons in rats. It was a little outside my area of study, but still incredibly fascinating to hear about firsthand.