“… but you should keep in mind that Koreans are not very friendly to foreigners.”
That was a piece of advice I received at a birthday party back home, just a month before traveling to Korea for DTM. The person had visited South Korea as a tourist and spoke about how beautiful, safe, and tourist-friendly it was—until she added that final remark.
Though it seemed plausible, I couldn’t fully believe it. Why should I take one person’s experience as fact? I didn’t know how she approached people, how long she stayed, or in what context she interacted with locals.
A different piece of advice from my Jordanian DTM senior reinforced my decision: “Live your own experience. When I or any other DTM student share opinions about DTM, SNU, or Korea, we’re speaking from our own perspective. Listen, but don’t take our words as facts. Enjoy your own journey.”
So, I decided to turn this into an experiment, applying the research method we studied in Marketing Research. My hypothesis? “Koreans are unfriendly to foreigners.” To test it, I recorded every moment a local was kind or welcoming, creating a note on my phone titled “Beautiful Koreans.” Here are some of the experiences I documented over the past four months. (Of course, my late-night encounters in Itaewon didn’t make the list—after midnight, everyone is friendly there!)
Team Korea: 1, Stereotype: 0
In October, as I exited Nakseongdae station, I stopped by a small fruit stand, but the seller was missing. As I stood there, an elderly lady approached with a warm smile and pointed at a sign—written in Korean. I thanked her and turned to my trusted companion, Papago, which translated it: the seller had stepped away and left a phone number. I called, dug into my Korean Language Level 1 memory, and said, “Annyeonghaseyo, banana juseyo?” (Hello, banana please?). Luckily, he understood and arrived shortly after. A simple, thoughtful gesture from a stranger made all the difference.
Team Korea: 2-0
At the dormitory’s Korean restaurant, I tried to buy tteokbokki but ran into an issue with the ordering machine. A nearby couple checked with the staff and explained I had to transfer the money directly to the restaurant’s bank account. I tried but failed, so I gave up and planned to grab some kimbap instead. But the couple had another idea—they offered to pay for my meal and let me transfer the money to them later. Complete strangers, yet willing to cover my meal with no guarantee of repayment. That night, kindness won again.
Team Korea: 3-0
My experience with the SNU basketball team was short but unforgettable. Though I couldn’t join the tournament due to regulations limiting participation to undergraduates, they welcomed me, let me practice with them, and always offered help and support.
There are many more stories in my notes, and by the end of 2025, I know this notepad will turn into a book of cherished memories. I’m grateful for all that’s happened and excited for everything ahead this year!
By Ghaith Alfaraj(12th Batch)
