life in korea vlog ☁️ my first korean class, sad books, garosugil cafes, developing film in seoul

I had really ambitious plans for this week and the rainy season here in Seoul said 'nope.' But I'm learning to be okay with slow days :) Hope you're all staying happy and safe and I'll see you next time! Love always~

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weekly seoul vlog | korean classes, sad books, garosugil cafes, developing film 🎞️ my life in korea

[caricakes]

Are you more into 1:1 classes or group classes? I can't decide yet (thinking of switching to 3:1 groups classes...) 💖

[AGalCanDream]

From an American public librarian— thank you for the library and librarian PSA. It’s always so heartwarming to hear non-librarians hype up libraries! 💖

[areebasbops]

Cari, I have no idea how I stumbled on your channel but I'm obsessed. I've never been to Korea, don't have any plans for the near future, but I'm obsessed with these videos. I want to work from coffee shops, walk these beautiful streets, bop around! It looks so lovely!

[astridyllmark]

Omg Cari! Some exciting news for me ~ I got into a korean university this fall and will be studying in Seoul until next year!!! Arrgghh I can’t believe it myself really😭✨💖 So your videos will really come in handy now ☺️🫶

[mnlxlover]

I've been really homesick for Korea lately, Cari (lived there from 2020-2021), but watching your videos makes me feel a little bit closer to the beautiful country, so thanks for that! ❤ Although I lived in the rural countryside, seeing you explore so many places around Korea - especially Seoul - brings back such fond and nostalgic memories, and it truly is such a joy to watch you live in the wonderful country. Much love from America!! 💗

[wintrywhiff]

My life has been so messy recently/I have been feeling so lost (have to change job, find another one to get a new visa, which means a new flat etc… before the end of august 😔) but your videos always bring me so much joy and comfort, they’re my reminder that life is beautiful and i’m gonna be okay :) i was grateful when you reminded that ppl choose what they want to upload on the internet, bc i really struggle with comparison atm anyway thank you so much for this quality content every week! 💚💚

[mac]

As a language teacher, it's so nice and interesting to hear candid opinions from people who are language learners. Students are always nervous to give you feedback, so it's a great opportunity to see what stuff you're doing other people like, or things you might do in class to enhance the experience. I like having conversations with students (how else you gonna learn if not?) and I'm usually afraid they think I'm nosy or find the talking section of the class useless, so it was reassuring to know you liked it :D

[lpchambers]

Oh my goodness- you climbing the hill was adorable. And the nature around you is so pretty! I start classes in month to become a librarian so you taking class is so wonderfully timed. Love your videos! 💜

[cameronword]

I absolutely love Seongbuk! It’s always wonderful to get up there. (Although it is indeed a little out of the way depending on where one lives in Seoul.) really digging all of the the greenery at the beginning of this VLOG, too! Thanks for another great video^^

As far as Korean classes, I always found more success with them in something like a 3:1 where you’re all on a similar level and not too close friends, that way it actually encourages some progress in class instead of just shooting the breeze every session.

[jordansarkisian]

I love the rainy days personally. The dark days make you appreciate the bright more, love the sound of rain, feels refreshing and clean, gives everything a shiny new aesthetic look that works great for photos, I try to get the most value I can out of em:) Now if it's gloomy out but no rain...grrrr lol

[Taylor_Nguyen]

The fewer students allow more 1:1/focused teacher time. I keep hearing/seeing "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, " kinda glad to hear it's a sad story so I can really feel something. I don't often get emotional reading, mostly from TV/movies or music.

[dianaa]

;) im not crying! I live in a dry hot climate and something about the rain in summer made me really nostalgic. Idk how you do it but your videos always help me when I miss and crave damp climates. (as weird as that sounds) you just capture it so well on film thank you. Also appreciated seeing your beautiful photo roll from spring and Europe. I love your photography <3

[larisaschreiber]

Cari, your video artistry is so delightful to watch! I just love all the beautiful, delicate details you put into each vlog. The cat sleeping, the single red leaf, the ladybug on a plant, the monk putting his umbrella away, ahhh ...so nice😌. I don't know how you manage to spot them all! Such a lesson in slowing down, and enjoying the moment! Thank you ❤️!!

[Hannieah]

My advice as a language teacher (I teach English at a Uni), even when you are in the review mode, it's totally fine to do a lesson or learn a new grammar or whatever, because it will probably kick start what you already have in your brain and you can keep progressing at the same time. That, or do something else that isn't just grammar, like reading, or listening, or what you are doing which I think is PERFECT! Honestly speaking is the best way to remember because it requires active recall, and speaking is like the one skill you can't reliably build up on your own because it requires another person to like, do. I like 1:1, but if your comfort level is not being the only other person, group classes are great as long as you still feel motivated and participate!

For fun, here is what I did with my Korean when I restarted it after my last semester of grad school (because all I had time to do was write my thesis and cy). For reference I am level 5 on TTMIK:

1. Review a level 3, 4, and 5 lesson (to get back to where I left off in lvl 5) on the days I wanted to study
2. Write a short journal entry on the days in between whenever I was reviewing, so I had to use what I know but in a different mode/using different cognitive skills. Probably watch a drama episode or vlogs on youtube, or Going Seventeen, something fun where I was focusing on listening.
3. Once I got back to where I left off in level 5, I would still do a quick review of whatever lesson in lvl 3 and 4, and then still do the new lesson. A good curriculum builds in a spiral, and should always continue to incorporate skills that you have learned previously so it forces you to keep using what you already know.
4. Speed ran duolingo until it got boring and irritating because no matter what the language, it asks you to make sentences and produce language in a way LITERALLY NO ONE TALKS. DELETE DUOLINGO.

I am planning on adding 1:1 speaking tutoring/private lessons into the mix, because I know that I really need that help because I don't have access to any native speakers to chat with, and it is crazy important to practice speaking when learning another language. I was thinking of checking out iTalki, but if anyone has any recommendations, I'll take them!

[anyaguinzbourg]

The rain ambiance in this video is exquisite 🥰☔️ Thank you for the vlog as always!

[carolinehermione]

omg those purple flowers!!! i just got back from a trip to germany and we kept seeing yellow + purple flower combos everywhere and were particularly obsessed with those stubby purple ones because they are so fun to touch! i was so happy to see them in your vlog :) 💐

[jkelly]

pity about the rain we had our two days of summer here in Scotland where it got to 25 but back to good old rain and win Cant beat it lol

[alicjadudek]

The beginning, when you wandered the sloped streets and around the temple was so magical, thank you! here for ghibli vibes <3

[Luci]

I think my korean started to get better when I met someone who was able to talk to me almost every other day on the phone. I think had reached the "comfort" level, where I'm able to have conversations that are not so deep, so it's hard to push yourself out of that comfort! But having someone you want to share your day with motivated me to learn new words so I could describe better what I have been up to, but I still having trouble finding a study style that suits me, especially for grammar... Being an animation student for 3+ years has ruined my study brain :'''')

[HeliaNaderi]

One of the most beautiful vlogs I’ve watched in years! THANK YOU! And I didn’t even know about your channel until today. Youtube finally made a decent suggestion to me.