Navigating Seoul

On our third day in Seoul, after being released from quarantine, the students were delighted to participate in a CIEE designed scavenger hunt around Seoul! 

This was the students’ first time going on the metro and navigating the streets independently (with PLs, of course).  Working in groups, students explored Seoul and gained independence and confidence in getting themselves around the city.  To successfully complete the scavenger hunt and receive a prize from CIEE, the groups had to answer a few short questions related to their impressions of the sites, as well as take group photos at each site. 

The scavenger hunt had three stops (each group had a different order):

1. Sungnyemun Gate-This gate is known as Korea’s Treasure No. 1 and its name means “Gate of Honoring Propriety”.  Its unofficial name is Namdaemun Gate (“South Gate”) and it served as the southern entrance to the capital.  It is the largest of the gates remaining from the wall that once surrounded Seoul, with the gate supporting a two-story pavilion, the oldest wooden structure of the Seoul City Wall. It is also unique in that its name is written vertically. Despite sustaining repeated damages and undergoing reconstruction and preservation efforts, Sungnyemun Gate serves as a valuable resource in understanding the architecture and construction techniques of the Joseon Dynasty period (1392-1910). 

2.Dongdaemun Design Plaza - a.k.a. DDP - Dream, Design, and Play.  This was established in conjunction with Seoul City Government’s public design policy “Design Seoul”.   It is now an iconic landmark of the Korean design industry, serving as a key venue for Seoul Fashion Week, design-related shows, conferences, exhibitions, and other events.  There is an SM TOWN Gift Shop inside (SM Town is a musical collective for recording artists under SM Entertainment, a large South Korean entertainment company). 

3. Cheonggyecheon stream - This is an 11-kilometer-long stream that runs through downtown Seoul.  Cheonggyecheon is a restoration of a stream dating back to the Joseon Dynasty and was created as part of an urban renewal project.  After the Korean War, it was covered with an elevated highway as part of post-war economic development.  In 2003, the steam was uncovered and restored to its present form, flowing from Cheonggye Plaza to the Hangang River and passing under 22 bridges.  (photo 4)

Amanda’s group: Elisa, Cam, Alicia, Joon, Areli, Cielo, Jessie, Isabelle, Allison, Chris

We had a relaxed lunch in Insadong and made a cute, new friend before fueling up with boba and coffee! 

Phones and cameras were constantly out as we made our way to the Anguk metro stop and headed towards Hoehyeon Station. 

We worked to follow the locals’ examples of “standing right, walking left” when on escalators. 

Returning above ground, Cielo, our champion navigator, expertly guided us through the streets to the Sungnyemun Gate.  After reading about the gate and discussing its significance, my group decided to show appreciation for CIEE in our photo by creating C-I-E-E with their bodies!  

After some additional reflection, we hit the streets again, making our way back to the metro. 

Upon arrival at Dondaemun Design Plaza, we reflected on the brilliant architecture, before beginning the search for the SM TOWN Gift Shop.  This proved a bit more challenging!  While there were maps of the complex, we could not find an exact location.  (map shot 10)

We passed by an Information center, and I was proud of the students for venturing inside to ask for help!  With an exact location, we piled into an elevator and easily found the shop.  Students were excited, seeking out light sticks, photographs, and other precious souvenirs!  We even got a photo with a popular K-Pop group :) 

At this point, energy was lagging, but we had one more stop to make--the Cheonggyecheon  stream.  Cielo, an expert at this point, got us there smoothly and the fresh evening air provided some much needed invigoration. (stream photo)

The students re-created their CIEE pose, relaxed by the stream, and even rehearsed a TikTok snippet.  (two photos 13/14, video 1)

We lucked out with an underground mall for a quick dinner, before returning home to Somerset. 

Erin’s group: Zach, Jay, Luthien, Mekhi, Lia, Heidi, Alejandra, Ruby, and Zoe

Upon starting our scavenger hunt tour, the group appointed Luthien as the navigator, responsible for planning our walking and subway routes. She had no issues getting us from place to place and even figuring out our transfer stations.

This was the student's first time using the subway system and seeing underground shops and cafes. Luckily, the scavenger hunt wasn’t timed so we spent a good amount of time stopping to try a new snack or to do some window shopping.

Our first stop on the scavenger hunt was Cheonggyecheon stream. Upon arriving our students voted for everyone to have the opportunity to plan a photo with their own artistic expression. Ruby was voted to be the creative director who would make sure that each person’s vision would be carried out. She helped to style each of the photos we took. When it came time to take photos, we didn’t even have to vote on a photographer- Zach was a shoo-in for that spot. He had already proven his photography prowess through the past few days in Seoul.

Lia’s idea was to have students with their umbrellas walking across the stones in the stream and to use some foliage to create a negative focus in the photo. The editing and positioning of the photo gave it a very artistic vibe and the students really liked posing for this photo as they liked Lia’s creative idea.

Zoe was inspired by the locals pensively sitting on the rocks under the bridge watching the water peacefully flow by. She had the group take random places on the rock seating and “act natural”. It created a very casual and calm vibe.

Zach had some students sit on the wall across the stream from him in different expressions. He positioned the camera very low and close to the stream so he could use this motion in the foreground.

Luthien had a mini photo shoot with Lia and had her pose in a variety of ways using the stream, rocks, and plants as imagery for her backgrounds and foregrounds. She was very creative in her angles and exposures.

Being a serious K-pop fan, Heidi had some group members stand on rocks in the stream and pose like idols from the group Twice. Each of the kids did a signature pose from one of the idols of the group.

After leaving the stream, we decided it was lunchtime so we found a food court in the basement of a mall. The food court had tons of options and some of the more popular items were ramen, topokki, bibimbap, and kimbap.

Our next stop on the scavenger hunt was DDP. the students were very excited because they recognized this building from some K-dramas and as the place where Korean fashion week is held. Inside, students made a pit stop in a Kakao Friends store and the SM Town gift shop.

Lastly, we headed to Sungnyemun Gate. Upon our arrival, it was actually closed but we were able to admire it from a bit of a distance. We took our photo for proof and headed back to our hotel.

Hyo Rhi’s Group:  Gabrielle, Tori, Tania, Andie, Abby, Carmen, Audrey, Nic, Aniyahlis, Ayanna, Isabella

The students were excited to get on their first Seoul metro ride like true Seoulites. Soon they realized the metro system is quite complicated: Exit numbers, color-coded lines, the various directions, stations for transfers... so much to learn to navigate! As a local PL, it was hard to hold my tongue to not give any tips. “Sorry, everyone. I’m not trying to torture you. You’ll be very proud to figure this out on your own.”  Sometimes frustration built up among the students and a few moments got tense. The scavenger hunt was teaching the students to exercise patience with themselves and each other and that confusion, conflict, and collaboration are part of travel experiences. As we spent time together and reached more sites, our communication as a team strengthened. The students discussed, made decisions together, and ensured no one got left behind. They also grew more comfortable asking people for directions. People at information centers and locals in transit were the best resources.

In the beginning, the students were shy to interact with complete strangers but the locals would not leave them alone. Kind ahjussis (elder men) and ahjummas (elder women) would stop on their track to ask, “May I help you?” when they noticed the group of students poring at the map trying to get to Sungnyemun from Cheonggyechoeon. After a few trials to communicate the desired destination, an ahjussi says, “Follow me!” and takes the students to a street that leads to the closest train station. He stops another passerby to make sure he is giving accurate directions. “I’m trying to tell the kids how to get to Sungnyemun. They should take line 2 and get off at Seoul Station, right?” “No. It’s Hoehyeon Station.” An argument ensues among the helpers. (They were both right as both stations are close to Sungnyemun.) A third person stops to inquire if we need help and I finally break character and say “감사합니다. 괜찮습니다. 학생들이 서울 돌아다니는 거 익히는 중이에요. ("Thank you. We are okay. The students are learning how to navigate Seoul.”) When the students indicate they understood the directions, the ahjussi who first took on the task to guide them sends them off. “You go straight. Then there is subway station. You are young man and women, so no problem. You will find it. If you don’t, you ask there again.”

While the sites we visited and took pictures of were memorable and fun, what made an impression on the students seemed to be the kindness they received from strangers. In a big city like Seoul, one can easily be swallowed by tall buildings and one’s own anonymity in the crowd. But it’s interactions like these, bite-size connections, and the support you receive in passing that restores the sense that a city is not always overwhelming and cold, and that human life is made possible in these spaces.

It was a long but satisfying day for all!  Until next time….stay Seoul-ful!