This was the express bus I took, which goes directly from Incheon Airport to the Pohang Bus Terminal. Tickets can be easily purchased at the airport, right near the exit area, so it’s very convenient for travelers. The entire ride took about five hours, with a 15-minute rest stop along the way for snacks, stretching, or using the restroom. The seats were very comfortable and spacious, making the long trip much more relaxing than I expected.

This stone says “미래의 한국과학자 (Future Korean Scientist)”.

Many POSTECH students dream of becoming great scientists in the future, and it’s a tradition to take pictures here.

During my orientation week, while exploring the campus, I also stood here and took this picture. It’s a small but meaningful spot that represents our hopes and ambitions as future scientists! 

After the campus tour, we had a fun quiz session where everyone could participate and test what we learned. The best part was that you could win small gifts! I was lucky enough to win this super soft POSTECH blanket, which I’ll definitely be using a lot. Some of my friends won Ponix soft toys - Ponix is POSTECH’s cute mascot and a beloved symbol of the university. It was such a fun and memorable experience!

After the quiz, we moved on to a team challenge with our PBUD group: building the tallest tower using only marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti. It was much harder than it looked, the marshmallows made the tower unstable, and the spaghetti kept snapping, so we had to come up with creative solutions. The funniest rule was that we weren’t allowed to stick the marshmallows to the ceiling (which some groups were tempted to try!). It turned into a super fun and messy activity that tested our teamwork, problem-solving, and patience.

This was my very first lunch at the POSTECH cafeteria in Jigok center, and I enjoyed it with other exchange students. The cafeteria is spacious and welcoming, offering a wide variety of Korean dishes. The main dish was served in a golden bowl, which made the meal feel even more special. I was also excited to try the soups and side dishes while practicing how to use chopsticks, it was such a unique experience! Sharing this meal together was a wonderful way to connect with new friends and start building friendships over good food.

I finally got to try the famous viral banana milk from GS25, the convenience store on campus that’s open 24 hours. It’s been all over TikTok, so I was really curious, and it definitely lived up to the hype!  They also have other flavors like strawberry and melon. I highly recommend the melon one, it’s super refreshing and perfect for a hot day. Convenience stores here are full of fun snacks and drinks to discover, so I’m excited to try more!

During orientation week, we took a bus to Daegu to visit the immigration office in Pohang. The purpose of the visit was to get started with our Alien Registration Card (ARC), which is essential for international students living in Korea. The process was quite simple, we just had to submit the necessary documents, and the school handled the rest. Although we didn’t receive the ARC on the same day, it was printed by the school and we got it approximately 3 weeks later. Overall, it was an organized experience and a significant step in officially starting student life in Korea!

During orientation week, we received a T-money card, which can be used for public transportation in Korea, such as buses and subways. You can easily add money to the card with cash at convenience stores like GS25. Just hand the card and the cash to the cashier, and they will load the amount onto your card. After that, it’s ready to use for travel around the city!

We went shopping in Daiso to get important stuff for the room, like a trash bin, laundry soap, sandals, and other essentials with other exchange students. It was a fun evening exploring the store together, picking out little necessities, and chatting about life in a new city. 

Me and other exchange students went to Colosseum for dinner! Colosseum is a futuristic dining hall at POSTECH, featuring a 20-meter ultra-wide LED screen where you can enjoy meals while watching different content. It’s also designed as a hub for performances, social events, and even gaming, including an e-sports pub on campus. The mix of food, social vibes, immersive visuals, and gaming made it a truly unforgettable evening.