Korean. American. Podcast Episode 107: On Moving to Korea For A Mid-Life Gap Year (ft. Raychel)
Oct 16, 2025
Raychel McKelvy, an American teacher and aspiring actor, recently moved to Seoul for a 'midlife gap year' to immerse herself in the Korean language at Yonsei University. She reflects on her diverse upbringing, connecting with multicultural friends across various communities. Raychel shares her experiences of being a visible minority in Korea, discussing the nuances of cultural differences and the challenges of language learning. She contrasts life in Seoul with Chicago, offering fresh insights into the beauty of cultural adaptation and the joys of stepping outside one's comfort zone.
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Choir Trip Turned Into Language Immersion
- Raychel first visited Korea with a college choir and used YouTube to learn Hangul before returning.
- She then studied Korean online for a year and enrolled at Yonsei for immersive study on a student visa.
Learn Korean Through Immersion
- Do immersive study when learning a high-context language like Korean; culture and language reinforce each other.
- Treat language learning as cultural immersion, not just vocabulary drills.
Co-Living Convenience In Yeongdeungpo
- Raychel moved into a furnished co-living apartment in Yeongdeungpo with shared amenities and cleaning service.
- She pays 1.6 million KRW monthly and values the convenience and community events the building provides.
