6/25/2026 Journal

6/25/2026

My First Day in the U.S.

Jet Lag and First Impressions of the Campus

I woke up at a whopping 5:00 AM—U.S. time, that is. It must have been 4:00 PM back in Korea. I haven't adjusted to the jet lag yet. After getting up, my roommate and I went out to the lobby to look around. There was a microwave and a dining table on the third floor, which allowed for some light cooking, but since I didn't really pack any food from Korea, it didn't really matter to me. I went outside to check out the campus, and it definitely had a completely different vibe compared to Korea. The air, the smell, the atmosphere—everything was different.

An Unexpected Errand: My First American Bus Ride and Bank Visit

We were supposed to gather at 9:00 AM, but while we were out on our walk, we were notified that the call van fee for when we eventually head back to Korea had to be paid in cash. I didn't have any cash on me, so I had to exchange some money. To make matters worse, I hadn’t even brought my card with me. I needed to go to a Bank of America branch, which was a 30-minute walk or a 6-minute bus ride away. Since time was tight, I took the bus on the way there. I paid about $1.70 using the NJ Transit app, and right then and there, I started to realize how high the cost of living is here. When I got on the bus and showed my barcode, the bus driver asked, "Where are you going? New York?" I froze for a moment, totally tongue-tied, and just pointed my finger, saying, "No. Just right there." Thinking about it now makes me laugh. After about four stops, I got off at Palisade Ave. Since I didn't have a card, I asked my roommate for a favor and used their card to get cash from the ATM. The minimum withdrawal was $10, but since I had to hand over the exact amount of $46, I luckily arrived just as the bank opened and exchanged a $20 bill into two $5 bills and ten $1 bills. I had a brief conversation with the bank teller, and actually using English in real life made me realize, "Wow, this is reality." On the way back, I walked. The weather was nice and it wasn't as hot as I expected. Walking allowed me to really experience the vibe of American streets.

Street of Teaneck, NJ

Orientation Brunch: Small Talk and Open Personalities

Once I arrived back, I paid the $46, and our orientation (OT) was held over brunch. It was basically an introductory session to outline where we are going tomorrow and what the upcoming schedule looks like. We also greeted the local professors and had some small talk while enjoying a casual brunch with them. We talked about the watch I was wearing, and the friend next to me, who is really into soccer, ended up talking about soccer non-stop. Just like me, this friend isn't fluent in English, but somehow the conversation kept flowing smoothly. I'm sure my communication skills will eventually improve. Unlike people in Korea, Americans are very open and energetic. I felt like my own personality was changing a bit to match that energy.

First Class: Choosing Names and Preparing for Sightseeing

After brunch, we had a brief class session. Rather than a formal lecture, it felt more like a time to choose our American names and go over where we are sightseeing tomorrow. We listened to explanations about what we want to gain and expect from this trip, as well as the Statue of Liberty, which we are visiting tomorrow. I was also gifted a tumbler. It looks like I'll need to drink water frequently.

Bowling, Pizza, and Shopping at Target: Confronting the Cost of Living

Today, we ate pizza while bowling and then stopped by a store called Target to do some shopping. To be honest, I'm not good at bowling. Even back in Korea, I was absolutely terrible, but luckily, I avoided the absolute worst-case scenario today. Despite that, the friends who came with me were all pulling off scores of 110 and 130. I proudly scored a 90. I caught myself thinking that I need to take a bowling lesson from someone someday. We ate pizza for dinner, and it tasted exactly like the pizza I used to eat in Korea—that distinct taste of Gorgonzola pizza. It was familiar but delicious. Meanwhile, while bowling, I found out my American shoe size: US 7. I'm sure I'll use that information someday. At Target, I bought some clothes hangers first, and since I only had enough shampoo and body wash to last 3 to 4 days, I bought new ones as well. I also bought slippers to wear indoors. I should have bought laundry detergent too, but I haven't gotten it yet. I'll probably have to go back in a few days to buy it. There were more things I needed than I thought. I've already spent $90. The cost of living is expensive. What kind of lifestyle do Americans live? Pondering this question, I am heading to bed for the night.

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