I woke up around 10:30 today and just sat and read my emails. My advisor in Ithaca is trying to figure out if I can directly enroll in KU as an affiliated program. If I can’t, then I won’t be able to stay here unless I somehow get into Hanyang University somehow. I am so frustrated with having to wait for answers. For now, I’m just sitting here and I have to figure out another place to stay and how to get international health insurance and if it’s even possible to stay.

I know my family and the people at the study abroad sessions worry about safety, but honestly I want to just go to school. I want to just stay here. After having two study abroad sessions cancelled because of Covid, I am tired. I keep telling myself that this situation is bigger than me, but then I suppress my emotions and I don’t want to end up crying in the airport again like I did last time. I keep telling myself it’s okay to feel sad and frustrated, while also knowing that the situation is somewhat out of my hands.

The people I hung out with yesterday met up again at Anam station. We bought snacks from Paris Baguette and then waited for everyone to come. We went hiking and it took such a long time on the metro to get there. The view was really gorgeous though. It’s frustrating not knowing if this is a quick trip or the last time I’ll be here. I don’t know what to buy. Also, the sunscreen I bought the other day isn’t great and I’m sad. I know it’s not a big deal, but I just feel like I screwed myself over.

Moving on… We walked back down and broke into 2 groups. Some of the students had their KUBA reach out to them and were going to meet up with them later that day. They went back to Anam. The rest of us went to Myeongdong to look at the underground shopping center. We ate at a place called King Kong and it was really interesting. They had hot dogs in their hot pot. I didn’t really like the meat, but the ramen was good. Then, we went to the shopping center. It was so empty and sad. I feel so bad for the shopkeepers and vendors. If nothing else, this trip has shown me how resilient people can be in times of stress and uncertainty.

One of the girls bought some socks and I wanted to get my friends other souvenirs, but I couldn’t find anything I thought would be good. We ended up just going back to the goshitel and stopped by Innis Free. It’s only 8 pm, but I am so tired.

I’ve been talking on and off all day with the TEAN people trying to figure out if I can even stay here and how my college would handle it. I am so stressed. I know most other exchange students from the US had their program cancelled, so I guess we’ll just see what happens. KU had 5,000 exchange students and I think most of them are going back home. This is a mess. My stomach hurts.