Sorry for the lack of updates! I just recently recovered from a flu and midterm exams (a horrible pair to have actually). I learned some valuable lessons from this experience though:

• Make sure to pack some cold medications from the U.S.A. before heading to another country (researching to make sure it is legal first of course)
• Vitamin C is scarce in South Korea. Tropicana orange juice is around $8 and fruits in general are expensive…you will certainly want to bring some Vitamin C pills with you to keep your immune system up
• Visiting the international clinic is way more expensive than visiting a Korean clinic, however if you need a doctor’s note for classes (almost every class in Korea has required attendance) then you will need to visit a real hospital and get a doctor’s note. Pharmacy notes may not be accepted
• Make sure you’re always ahead in your classes so you can afford to miss a few classes – this flu bug severely put my academic performance in jeopardy and getting through the flu was extremely difficult while trying to stay up cramming and doing homework
• Bring a friend if it makes you more comfortable, but just make sure you go early enough to the doctor! My doctor told me if I had been a few days later I would have developed pneumonia
• Be wary of consuming raw food in Korea…some friends have had some nasty experiences doing that. On that note never drink tap water. My friend hiked a mountain here in Seoul and when she got the top someone gave her tap water and her stomach was in trouble for at least a week
• Most Korean pharmacy’s sell cheap over-the-county fixes as well – you might want to try those if you arrived without any medication
• Sleep is essential – and on that note make sure you air out your room and throw away anything that might be housing the germs as well
• Try calling home…it might make you feel better. I know every time I talked to some friends or family members I felt better about my illness. It’s re-assuring to speak to someone who knows you well about your troubles. Skype has unlimited calling in the United States for $7/month and it includes landlines and mobile phones so you can talk to your family and friends all you want!
• Make sure to save your receipts so you can report it to your travel insurance!