Before traveling to South Korea, I did a lot of research about South Korean culture so that I could deal with unexpected situations appropriately. One way I prepared was by watching YouTube videos of people living in South Korea. My favorite YouTuber at the time was Megan Bowen. She made videos about her daily life living in Korea as well as educational videos about Korean culture. While my research was helpful, I could not possibly know what to really expect until I got there.
One important custom that I learned about during my research was the unspoken rule of being mindful of others in public spaces. This includes everything from speaking in an appropriate tone (never speaking too loudly) to overall consideration of others. I knew of this unspoken rule, but I still experienced culture shock once I arrived in South Korea. I was surprised by how quiet public spaces were, whether the train, the park, or cafes! My first train ride in Seoul was unlike any of my experiences on the M.T.A. in New York, where it's common to see the occasional music performer or for commuters to chat.
