VANCOUVER BLOG
Homestay in Vancouver, BC: What International Students Should Know My homestay in Vancouver BC Canada was my first home when I arrived as an international student. Since it was my first time living in Vancouver, having a place ready before I arrived made the beginning of my study abroad experience much easier. My school agency also arranged an airport pickup for me, so I did not have to worry about finding transportation with all my luggage. I was picked up at the airport and taken directly to my homestay in the Joyce-Collingwood area. After actually living in a homestay in Vancouver, BC, Canada, I found both advantages and disadvantages. Here is my experience with the location, room, meals, house rules, and daily life. My Homestay in Vancouver BC Canada Experience My homestay was located in Joyce-Collingwood, a quiet residential neighborhood in Vancouver. The house was a little over a 10-minute walk from the SkyTrain station and was located near the edge of Zone 1. Since my school was in Downtown Vancouver, commuting was fairly convenient. It took me about 25 minutes to get to school, which was reasonable for everyday travel. The homestay itself was a two-story house, and my room was on the second floor. I was happy with the size of my room because it was quite spacious. It came with a bed, desk, dresser, and built-in closet, so I had enough space to study and organize my clothes and belongings. The neighborhood was also very quiet compared with Downtown Vancouver. For someone who prefers a calm residential environment but still wants convenient access to Downtown, I thought the location was good. Meals, Costs & House Rules I paid $1,300 per month, which included three meals a day. Breakfast was simple and self-service. There was usually bread and boiled eggs, and I could prepare breakfast by myself whenever I was ready. Lunch and dinner worked differently. My homestay mom prepared the food and put it into containers in the refrigerator, so I could simply heat them up when I wanted to eat. Personally, the meals did not always match my taste, so I sometimes ordered delivery or cooked ramen instead. However, my homestay mom noticed that I was having a hard time adjusting to the food and even bought kimchi for me. I really appreciated that she tried to make me feel more comfortable. The house rules were not too strict. There was a separate laundry room on the first floor, and there was no specific limit on how many times I could do laundry. The main rule I had to remember was that I could only shower until 11 p.m. Other than that, I did not have a strict curfew, so I could come home late without any major problems. Overall, I had enough freedom to manage my own schedule, which was important to me as an international student. Pros & Cons of Homestay in Vancouver Overall, I was mostly satisfied with my homestay experience. One of the biggest advantages was convenience. When I first arrived in Canada, I did not need to immediately buy furniture, set up a kitchen, or worry about preparing every meal. My room was already furnished, three meals were included, and I could focus on adjusting to school and life in Vancouver. The location was another advantage because I could live in a quiet neighborhood while still reaching Downtown Vancouver in about 25 minutes. However, there were some disadvantages. Sometimes my homestay mom’s grandchildren visited the house, and they would run around and make a lot of noise, which could be difficult when I wanted to rest. The biggest disadvantage for me was sharing a bathroom with another student. My roommate was male, and I personally felt uncomfortable sharing the same bathroom with a male roommate. Food is another thing to consider because even when three meals are included, the food may not always match your personal taste. In my case, I sometimes spent extra money on delivery or other food. Still, my overall experience was positive. My homestay mom was considerate, my room was spacious, and the location was convenient for commuting to Downtown. If you are considering a homestay in Vancouver, BC, Canada, I recommend checking the location, commute time, meal system, bathroom situation, laundry rules, and other house rules before making your decision. For me, homestay was a convenient way to start my life in Vancouver while I adjusted to a new city, school, and environment. If you want to see more of my experience after arriving in Canada, watch my Vancouver vlog. You can also check out my 5-day Tokyo itinerary for another one of my travel experiences. Click here
FLIGHT REVIEW
Korean Air Review: Economy vs. Prestige Class My Korean Air reviews are based on two important trips abroad: my Economy Class flight to Cebu and my Prestige Class flight to Vancouver. The first was my trip from Korea to Cebu to start my language study abroad experience. I flew Korean Air Economy Class and visited the Matina Gold Lounge before departure.Later, when I moved to Vancouver, I used the miles I had saved to book Korean Air Prestige Class. This gave me a chance to experience both Economy and Prestige Class on two very different trips.Here is my honest Korean Air review, including the lounges, seats, meals, and overall experience. Korean Air Economy Class & Matina Gold Lounge Before my flight to Cebu, I visited the Matina Gold Lounge at Incheon International Airport.One thing I liked about Matina Gold was the food. The lounge is operated by Walkerhill, and I thought the food was pretty good. It was nice to have a proper meal before getting on the plane instead of waiting near the boarding gate. My favorite part was the massage chair. After eating, I still had some time before boarding, so I spent the rest of my waiting time relaxing in the massage chair. It was a comfortable way to start my trip.After the lounge, I boarded my Korean Air Economy Class flight to Cebu. The Economy seat felt pretty standard to me. There was nothing particularly impressive or disappointing about it, but it was comfortable enough for the flight. For the in-flight meal, I had beef bibimbap. Unfortunately, I did not really enjoy it. The food was probably the weakest part of my Economy experience.Overall, the flight itself felt fairly standard, while the Matina Gold Lounge made the airport experience much more enjoyable.This flight was also the beginning of my language study abroad experience in Cebu, so I filmed the departure and flight for my vlog. Korean Air Prestige Class & Prestige Lounge My second Korean Air experience was very different. When I moved to Vancouver, I used the miles I had saved to book Korean Air Prestige Class. The experience felt different from the airport because Prestige passengers had a separate check-in area, which made the process more convenient. I also visited the Korean Air Prestige Lounge. My first impression was that it felt very luxurious, and I thought the food was excellent. I did not have much time before boarding, so I had a quick Korean meal and headed to the gate. On the plane, my seat was 14B on the left side of the aircraft. A blanket, pillow, and amenity pouch were provided, which I really liked and helped make the long flight more comfortable. The in-flight meal was another highlight. I chose the steak, and it was very tender and delicious. The flight to Vancouver was around ten hours, but it felt surprisingly fast because I was so comfortable. Compared with my shorter Economy flight, I could really notice the benefits of having more space and comfort during a long flight. Economy vs. Prestige: My Overall Experience After experiencing both classes, I wanted to share my Korean Air reviews and the differences I noticed between Economy and Prestige. My Economy experience was fairly standard. The seat was what I expected from Economy, and I was not a big fan of the beef bibimbap. However, the Matina Gold Lounge made the experience better. The food was good, and I especially enjoyed relaxing in the massage chair before boarding. Prestige Class felt different from the beginning. The separate check-in area was convenient, the lounge felt more luxurious, and the food was excellent. On the plane, the extra space, bedding, amenity pouch, and steak made the long journey much more enjoyable. The two flights were also very different in length, so comfort mattered much more to me on the long-haul flight to Vancouver. I was also able to book Prestige using miles I had saved, which made the experience even more special. Both flights are connected to important memories for me: one was the beginning of my language study abroad experience in Cebu, and the other was the beginning of my life in Vancouver. If you are searching for Korean Air reviews, I hope my experiences give you an idea of what Economy and Prestige Class can be like. More of My Journey✈️ Want to see the actual flights? Watch my Cebu and Vancouver travel vlogs to see the lounges and my Korean Air Economy and Prestige Class experiences. If you are interested in what happened after I arrived in Canada, read about my homestay experience in Vancouver and what my daily life was like as an international student. Click here
TOKYO BLOG
5-Day Tokyo Itinerary: Food, Shopping, Onsen & Hidden Gems Tokyo is one of my favorite cities because there is always something new to eat, shop for, and experience. For this trip, I wanted a relaxed schedule instead of visiting every famous tourist attraction. My 5-day Tokyo itinerary focused on food, shopping, local experiences, and relaxation. I stayed near Daimon and explored Ginza and Shibuya. I also enjoyed the night view in Roppongi and spent my final day at a Japanese onsen. If you are planning a Tokyo trip, this itinerary may give you some ideas. It is especially helpful if you enjoy food and shopping as much as sightseeing. Hotel & Transportation🏨 For this trip, I stayed at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Hamamatsucho-Daimon. Since my first day was an arrival day, I kept my schedule simple. I checked into the hotel, unpacked, and rested. I started my Tokyo itinerary the next morning. Staying around Daimon was convenient for traveling to different areas of Tokyo. I did not plan any sightseeing immediately after arriving. A quiet first day gave me time to settle in and prepare for the rest of the trip. Another useful part of my trip was setting up Suica on my iPhone. I used Suica while traveling around Tokyo. Having it on my phone was more convenient than carrying another physical card. For anyone planning a Tokyo trip, I recommend organizing your itinerary by neighborhood. I spent two days around Ginza instead of traveling back and forth across the city. This gave me more time for food, cafés, and shopping. It also made my schedule feel less rushed. Shopping in Ginza & Shibuya 🛍️ Shopping was a big part of my 5-day Tokyo itinerary. In Ginza, I visited GU and Adidas. Tokyo stores can take more time to explore than expected. Therefore, I did not schedule too many other activities on my shopping days. Having enough free time made it easier to browse without feeling rushed. On another day, I went to Shibuya. I first visited ARIES Shibuya to get my hair styled. Then, I went shopping at Shibuya 109. Shibuya 109 was one of the places I especially wanted to visit for shopping. International travelers should also check whether stores offer tax-free shopping. The eligibility requirements and procedures can change. Therefore, check the current rules when you travel. After spending the day in Shibuya, I went to Roppongi in the evening. I saw the illumination and enjoyed the Tokyo night view. The city has a completely different atmosphere at night. It was a nice way to finish a busy shopping day. If you enjoy shopping, I recommend leaving at least one day with a flexible schedule. Shopping in Tokyo can easily become a full-day activity. You may spend hours browsing stores, eating, and walking around different neighborhoods. Tokyo Food & Onsen Experience: 5-Day Tokyo Itinerary Food was another major part of this trip. I included several restaurants that I wanted to try in my itinerary. In Ginza, I visited Imakatsu Ginza and later stopped at Naruto Taiyaki. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped Japanese snack. It was an easy dessert to enjoy while exploring the area. On my next Ginza day, I ate at Sato Yosuke Ginza and visited Ken’s Coffee. After shopping, I finished the day at Wagyu Imoaraizaka no Shita. I had wagyu and beer there. During my Shibuya day, I ate at Cheese to Hachimitsu. I ordered an omelet and spaghetti before heading to Roppongi. Trying different restaurants and cafés was one of my favorite parts of the trip. For the final day, I spent the day at Saya-no-Yudokoro, a Japanese onsen. After several busy days, having time to relax felt especially good. I also ate a meal there, so I did not need to leave for lunch. After the bath, I bought bottled milk from a vending machine. It was a small moment, but it became a memorable part of my onsen experience. Ending a busy Tokyo trip with an onsen day created a nice balance. I enjoyed energetic areas like Ginza and Shibuya first. Then, I slowed down before the trip ended. Planning your next trip? You can also read about my Korean Air Economy and Prestige Class experience, including the airport lounges, meals, seats, and my flights to Cebu and Vancouver. Want to see what my trip actually looked like? Watch my Tokyo travel vlog to see the restaurants, shopping spots, and experiences from my five days in Tokyo. Click here