Overall Experience in Korea?

• How would you rate your overall experience, and what were your general impressions of Korea? Also, what is your background? What were the pros & cons?
  
  Personally, I'm born and raised in the U.S. but am ethnically Korean. I have family in Korea, but I haven't been able to visit them until I was in high school and college. My college stay was approximately 3 months, and I would say overall, it was a good experience, but it definitely made me appreciate my life in the states.
  
  Cons: What bothered me was the level of superficiality that exists in Korea. Yes, superficiality exists everywhere, but it was much more prominent there. For example, I was the only woman who did not wear ANY make-up, and there are obvious different levels of treatment based upon your looks.
  
  Pros: Korea had delicious food at decent prices. I also went on a shopping spree in buying clothes, art supplies, glasses, etc. (Basically, anything I was able to get at a considerable discount.) In general, the natives I've encountered had a lot of heart and were very considerate for my well-being. Additionally, because I am ethnically Korean and am fluent in English, this became a status symbol in mainstream Korea.
  
  Regrets: I wish I made more native Korean friends!
  
  Anyone else care to share their experiences?

  05 May 2008, 10:01 E