Exploring Korea with Family During Graduation Season
One of the most rewarding parts of studying abroad is getting the chance to share your experience with the people back home. Throughout my time at the University of Utah Asia Campus, I have spent years building a life in Korea, making memories, and exploring different parts of the country. This spring, my family traveled to Korea for my graduation, giving me the opportunity to show them where I have been living for the past two years while creating new memories together. During their visit, I took them around Seoul and Incheon, and we also had the chance to travel to Busan and Jeju, two destinations that showed just how unique different parts of Korea can be.
Experiencing Busan Together
Our first stop was Busan, Korea’s second-largest city. We took the KTX to Busan, and it was such a great experience. Even though it took longer than a flight, we got to see so many beautiful views Korea has to offer.
One of our first activities was riding the Songdo Sea Cable Car. Looking out over the coastline from above was an incredible experience and a great introduction to the city.
The next day, we visited Gamcheon Culture Village, known for its colorful buildings, artwork, and winding streets. Exploring the village together was one of my favorite parts of the Busan trip because every corner seemed to have something new to discover. There were endless cute little cafés and shops, and he Little Prince’s House was a beautiful museum that we all enjoyed.
That evening, we visited Gwangalli Beach to watch the sunset and see a drone show that happened to be taking place that weekend. Watching hundreds of drones light up the night sky over the ocean was such a cool experience.
The next day, we spent time relaxing at Spa Land in Busan. It’s a large Korean bathhouse with more than 10 types of saunas. We took baths, got body scrubs, ate ramen, slept, and enjoyed the relaxation. It was definitely my favorite part of the trip!
Throughout the trip, I enjoyed seeing Busan through my family’s eyes. I had been to Busan before, and of course, I had been in Korea much longer. Things that seemed normal to me felt amazing and new to them. It made me appreciate and feel excited about the small things I had forgotten were so unique about Korea.
Discovering Jeju Island
The next weekend, after traveling around Incheon and Seoul during the week, we went to Jeju Island, which felt completely different from anywhere else we had visited. While Busan was lively and energetic, Jeju had a slower pace and was surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. I had not been to Jeju yet, so I was very excited. We decided to stay on the south side of the island and explore Seogwipo, which was an amazing decision.
The first night, we decided to relax by ordering chicken delivery, drinking beer, and playing card games. Our Airbnb was in such a stunning location that, after the busy week of graduation, it felt amazing to just slow down.
One of our first stops was Jeongbang Waterfall, the only waterfall in Asia that flows directly into the ocean. The combination of the waterfall, rocky coastline, and ocean views made it such a memorable place.
We also spent time at Hueree Nature Life Park, where we took family photos and enjoyed walking through the gardens. This stop was absolutely jaw-dropping and stunning. Seeing so many flowers in bloom was an amazing experience. No matter what time of year it is, one of the park’s large flower sections is always in bloom. We got to experience the wonderful colors of hydrangea season.
We were also able to fit in a second waterfall later that afternoon, and the scenic walk leading up to it made the experience even more memorable.
Another highlight was visiting O’sulloc Tea Museum, where we learned more about Jeju’s tea culture and enjoyed some of the island’s famous green tea and green tea desserts. The tea was so good and authentic, and it was so cool to see it being made right there in the store. We bought way too much stuff.
My personal favorite stop was Jeju Waterworld. It is Korea’s first media park themed around water. It was such a magical and unique experience, and it quickly became one of my favorite memories from Jeju.
Of course, no trip to Jeju would be complete without trying Jeju black pork. Sharing meals together became one of the best parts of the trip, whether we were visiting local restaurants or exploring markets like Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market.
After a few days of eating way too many tangerines and drinking lots of tangerine juice, it was time for us to head back to Seoul for the last few days of their trip.
My family all agreed that Jeju was their favorite part of the entire Korea trip, and we all agreed to have future family reunions in Jeju. So, we will definitely be returning.
Seeing Korea Through My Family’s Eyes
One thing I did not expect was how much I would enjoy seeing Korea through my family’s perspective. After spending years living here, many things had become part of my everyday life. Taking the subway, ordering food, visiting tourist locations, and experiencing the unique culture in general had all become part of my daily routine. However, watching my family experience those things for the first time reminded me of how exciting studying abroad can be.
It was also meaningful to show them places that had become important to me during my time in Korea. Whether it was introducing them to Korean food, helping them navigate new cities, or sharing stories about my experiences as a student, the trip gave me the chance to share a part of my life that had previously existed mostly through photos and phone calls.
My parents made a comment at the end of the trip: “we understand now why you want to stay here.” I decided to move to Korea and live here after graduation, and this trip truly allowed my family to see and understand why I love it here so much.
Graduation and Reflection
The timing of the trip made it even more special because it happened during graduation season. As I prepared to graduate from the University of Utah Asia Campus, I found myself reflecting on how much had changed since I first arrived in Korea.
When I first came here, I expected to stay for only one semester. Instead, that one semester turned into years of studying, internships, friendships, and experiences that completely changed the direction of my life. Being able to celebrate graduation while traveling with my family made the moment even more meaningful.
Looking back, the trip was about much more than visiting cool places in Korea. It was a chance to share my study abroad experience with the people who supported me along the way. It reminded me how much Korea has become a second home and how grateful I am for the opportunities I have had while studying at the University of Utah Asia Campus.
Studying abroad is about more than just earning a degree. It is also about the experiences, memories, and connections you make along the way. For me, traveling through Busan and Jeju with my family was the perfect way to celebrate the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
– Written by Lillianna Martinescu, Spring 2026 Communications Intern at Marketing & Communications Center, University of Utah Asia Campus (Reviewed & edited by Yoonji Kim, Senior Communications Specialist, University of Utah Asia Campus)
