A semester in Seoul

For Laura M. Corser, a political science and East Asian studies double-major at Wellesley College, her decision to study at Ewha Womans University in Seoul was "a natural choice." She had studied in Japan during high school, and the "often high political tensions between Japan and Korea spiked my curiosity," she said. Since arriving, Corser has been free of cultural faux pas ("I made all the big ones in Japan"), but she's gotten plenty of other lessons in strong-flavored food and even stronger women.

ALL IN GOOD TASTE: Corser's most difficult adjustment to life in South Korea? "Spicy food! Learning to live without taste buds had its challenges, though I believe they've grown back now. I enjoy bibimbab (rice, vegetables, and a spicy sauce you add to taste served in a bowl that you mix around), samgyopsal (pork), and jajamyun (Korean-Chinese dish, noodles in a black sauce). My favorite dessert would have to be pappinsu (shaved ice, milk, fruit, and red beans). Yum!"

ACT YOUR AGE: "Korean etiquette is highly focused on age and rank. Often the first question out of someone's mouth (after 'what's your name?') is 'how old are you?' One habit I had to acquire (other than taking off your shoes when you enter a house and several restaurants or eating rice with a spoon) was the style of interacting with elders, like serving them with both hands, or with one's free hand on the arm if only one hand is required."

POWERFUL WOMEN: "For young couples, Korean women seem to rule over Korean men. I actually feel quite sorry for them. It is not uncommon to see a Korean man carrying a tiny frilly purse for his girlfriend or tripping over himself to get something for her. Another startling aspect of the Korean couple relationship is that every couple talks about 'when they get married,' even if they have only been dating for a few months."

WITH OPEN ARMS: "I have constantly been surprised by how open and affectionate Koreans are. While this may be the opposite reaction of most Americans, . . . I came to Korea thinking that it would be very similar to Japan. While it is in many of the big ways, Koreans are constantly reminding me with their actions that these two countries are very different in other ways!"

IRON CLAD: "Waffles are a real hot item here. You can find dessert-type waffles (ice cream, chocolate syrup, etc.), but you can also find more sustenance-based waffles (like waffles and a chicken cutlet). I don't understand it, but waffle shops are quite prevalent right now."

GLENN YODER