This is going to be a short one.

So I was getting back from the rental agency and wanted to grab a drink on the way. Korean summer weather is killing me. I noticed three girls I knew sitting in the convenience store and talked to two of them for a bit (one had to leave).

They asked me about my age. I told them and that I was studying again. „That’s brave“. I know she meant well, but that didn’t sit well with me. I don’t even know why. I don’t think it’s brave. It may just be new for them. Here is the thing: Besides having more experience and done more in my life already, I do not think I am that different from them.

I like food. I like to travel. I am getting annoyed by orientation week. I want to find a new room (they were at that same agency, I think). Everything here is new to me. I like to party.

But…

I think my grey hair stands out – especially in a society that is all about looks and performance like South Korea. I don’t feel that included, especially in that club we all went to where I got weird looks by staff (yes, really) and don’t know why. And people generally turning their backs to me. I feel this when I talk to people and we understand each other, but I know that after that initial small talk, there will not be friendship because of differences. Kind of puts this whole experience into a different light.

But I always had these problems with people, so what’s new? And I think this experience is something a lot of people make when coming to South Korea, I am just on the fast track.

So I don’t take it personally. I am an experience for others, too, and I intend to make it a good one.