Living in Seoul During COVID-19 Pandemic — A Series of Living Abroad
“Korea isn’t a right choice, Dhea.”
“You’re insane to stay there during corona virus!”
“Are you nuts?! You could die or can’t come home.”
“Cancel your plan, and it’s better to stay here.”
I was planning for study abroad since I was in high school. It was always an almost until last year, I found an opportunity for student exchange in Korea during Spring Semester 2020. Actually I wish I could have this opportunity in Europe such as Germany or Netherlands, since I’m not much into Korean stuffs as I’m not a k-pop fan or sort of, but why not I guess?🙃
First thing first, I’m looking for a linear major in Biomedical Engineering and most of universities in Korea do. First reason checked✅. I also heard about satisfaction of healthcare in Korea has been consistently among the highest in the world —in 2015 South Korea ranking first in the OECD for healthcare access and in 2016 was rated as the fourth most efficient healthcare system by Bloomberg. It’s amazed me to be honest, and therefore I got a second check for reasons why choosing South Korea for my study✅.
Despite all of the benefits, I was also afraid and doubtful because I thought that it might be a wrong decision. I’m on 3rd year, and I need to work on my research for final, while if I’m going here mean I lost my time because I skip a semester in my home uni. All of those bad thoughts are often came out, and it just getting worse within the corona outbreak situation on early of 2020. On mid January, after I came back from my Internship in Malaysia, the first confirmed case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea was announced. I started to worry and it was followed by a warning for not going which was given from most of people to me because of the sudden jump of confirmed cased in South Korea, attributed to “Patient 31” who participated in a gathering at a Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu. People just kept telling me those negatives possibilities, horrible Korean traits to foreigner, and convinced me about the worst case if I’m going. None of them telling a single of positive words, except my mom:) even though she know that the case was reaching 8.000 already and it still counting.
She said that I must go and catch my dream despite in the recent condition, she believe that South Korea would handle it well. Furthermore, I got a scholarship and it would be very unwise to resign. After lot of push and pull with myself, and discussing the worst possibility with my family, I decided to go. But I’m not that reckless tho, I did a research and seek for a recent report before I went there. On early March I got a report from Kak Ashr, KBRI and PERPIKA that the condition in Seoul in still conducive, most of the case (around 87,9%) is in Daegu & Cheongdo which is around 300+ km from Seoul, there’s no panic buying and the price is stable, I could easily get mask or handsanitizer, and COVID-19 alert would be sent to my phone number. After discovered the recent situation and prepared everything for prevention, I brace my self and went to Seoul on March 13th after previously postponed on 28th February.
When I arrived here, my body temp was measured and yeah that’s all. It’s not as scary as I or most of people imagined. Although, it was less crowded even I was all alone when going from airport to campus by bus:) ohh and no public event allowed here. More than that the activity just goes on like usual and there’s no lockdown, the shops, public transport, market, etc operated as it is. Since the first day I arrived here, I didn’t find any difficulties, unreasonable prices nor receive unpleasant treatments. The negative image of people in South Korea, specially in Seoul wasn’t true at all. They’re very welcome and open minded, as a foreigner I feel very safe, prioritized and guaranteed. I got the same right with locals to be well-treated and protected from COVID-19, they even gave me an extra free mask, thermometer, handsanitizer, and disinfectant😀
However, I still have to be cautious. I have to self-monitored myself on an application from ministry of health and welfare, they said if I felt sick or showing COVID-19 symptoms I just need to call KCDC and they would reach us directly and a test for COVID-19 would be performed for free. The KBRI as Indonesian government representative also giving protection and policy updates related to Indonesian citizens here.
Although the country once held a title as ‘Highest Confirmed COVID-19 Case Outside China’, the number of death caused by COVID-19 case here is very low, even though they didn’t have a lockdown policy. I guess there’s no wonder because it might be a prove for their high standard of healthcare system and facilities, it could also happening because they’re taking a good care of confirmed patients, and done their best as a medical staff. However, it won’t be effective if Korean Citizens aren’t synergistic with the Government. After I’ve been here for almost a month I observed that the people here are so obedient, respect to each other, and spread positivity to against COVID-19. Thus, the new confirmed case is also decreasing (there are still a new case but not as high as previous month) however, due to the second wave of this outbreak for most of country all around the world, South Korea has issued a new policy on tourist restrictions to keep reducing new cases.
I’m grateful for my decision that might be the right one, though my family are still in Indonesia and might not experiencing the safe-feeling as I am, but hopefully they’re all good and so do the others. It doesn’t mean that the situation is worse outside here, but I think Indonesia or maybe other affected country just now in a worst / peak condition of COVID-19 because they’re too late to be precautioned, while the outbreak in China just got better. An affected countries need to follow the effective method performed by successful country such as South Korea for a method to self-diagnosis using an app, easy access for medication within only one call away and bring synergistic to each elements in a country on taking a step for prevention and medication of COVID-19 Victims. They have proven their ability to push the number of death and perform an effective way for prevention and diagnosis.
It’s quite heartbreaking to heard Indonesia would having a civil emergency because of COVID-19. On the same week with my departure to Seoul (March 13,2020) Indonesia just confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19 case. I thought it won’t be increasing so fast. Anyhow, the fact of emerged outbreak isn’t a fault from a specific group of people nor government in Indonesia. It might be caused by a trust issue between each other, un-obedient people who refuse to follow the regulation, improper facilities and negative treatment to medical staff would also caused a failure against COVID-19 outbreak. The first step we could fix is we’re all need to evaluate ourself, bringing a positive impact to our society, stop panic buying, sharing hoax, and being such a stubborn person against policy. Stop taking personal advantage by re-selling COVID-19 protection equipments or using it for a wrong purposes.
Hopefully, the world would heal soon and after I finish my study, I could contribute myself in sharing things, a research or an action to prevent further worst condition on this COVID-19 pandemic. Don’t forget to prevent COVID-19 transmission with #stayathome, using mask, washing hands, and spreading positive impact to our society. A small step taken mean a thousand lives saved.
-d-
A Biomedical Engineer soon to be.
Ps : for those who interested in sharing ideas nor have an idea to perform action for COVID-19 prevention feel free to contact me:)
References :
https://www.cdc.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a20501000000&bid=0015
