I made it...to quarantine that is...

After a grueling 11 hour flight filled with both anxiety and anticipation I finally arrived in South Korea at Incheon International Airport. I was filled with the natural rush of excitement that comes with being in a foreign country for the first time. However, the food, fun and fantasy would have to wait as my first test abroad presented itself...managing Korea's immigration and customs procedures and finagling my way to my apartment for a mandatory seven day quarantine all while not speaking a drop of Korean. I heard horror stories from the previous Fall 2021 semester of a dreadfully long airport process that would essentially crush your soul. Bracing for the worst, I was thankfully met with little to no problems as I breezed through the entire airport process in less than an hour *whew*

The entire arrival process consisted of first the download and setup of the Korean governments quarantine app, a thorough verification of both your confirmation of residence and your negative PCR COVID test, and of course all the standard immigration processes that come with visiting a foreign country! The final hurdle was collecting my luggage, which any traveler will tell you is anxiety in itself with the copious amounts of luggage that goes missing (but thankfully my friend Rachel got me an AirTag to track my luggage, she's an absolute angel!!) and finding a quarantine taxi to take me to my apartment. Incheon Airport partners with a "quarantine taxi service" that takes you to your accommodations in a sanitized taxi for a predetermined designated flat price, all you need to do is provide them your address and pay your driver upon arrival.

All in all I have to say although I had my reservations, everyone I met through my whole process at the airport was very kind, helpful and patient! If I had any tips it would be to have some forethought and prepare your necessary paperwork and documents beforehand to make things easier for all parties. It's hard to remember in the moment but the airport/customs/immigration staff all have jobs to do and at the end of the day they are more than willing to help you, just don't be an a**hole haha and also lots of smiling and being friendly never hurt anyone lol.

Next item on the docket...survive my seven day quarantine, figure out how to make my way to the public health center to take two COVID tests (one within 24 hours of arrival and another two days before my quarantine is lifted) and of course figuring out where I want to eat when I'm finally released from solitary confinement. Until next time, bye for now!! :)

<3

Derren