Traveling to South Korea During a Pandemic

I moved to South Korea in early February 2021 during the global pandemic. Here is my experience flying and the mandatory two-week quarantine I had to do in South Korea.

(Note: Since I went with a program, my location of quarantine and arrival to my quarantine location might be different from others.)

Leaving the United States was normal, other than presenting a negative covid test, middle seats closed off on the plane, and flight attendants giving everyone sanitation wipes to clean their area.

South Korea has travel restrictions for anyone arriving in the country. When I arrived at the gate to board my flight in Atlanta, my temperature was taken before I could head to the desk to present my negative covid test, the agreement to the mandatory two-week quarantine, and my visa.

Landing in Korea 14 hours later was both exciting and nerve-racking. There was a long immigration line and I noticed after passing immigration that there were two lines. One line proceeded as usual while the other line was for people that were pulled aside at immigration. There were a good number of people there and I was told when you arrive at the desk they will take your temperature. If you have a slightly high temperature you will be given a badge to wear around your neck and would have to wait at another line where you get tested for covid. Those in line would end up waiting for over 10 hours and some would spend the night at the airport and were not allowed to leave until their test results came back negative.

While waiting for immigration, there were banners with QR codes for the app you needed to download for your quarantine period. As I moved up in line, an employee organized your paperwork to speed up the process. I had my passport, visa, negative covid test, and the location of where I was going to quarantine. At the desk, they took my documents and temperature by ear. My temperature was normal so I was able to pass through.

Everything seemed like it was out of a movie. All the employees were in white hazmat suits and wearing face shields. I had to go through six or seven stations such as setting up the quarantine app, customs, purpose of my visit, etc. I was able to pass through easily. It took me about 30 minutes.

When I picked up my luggage and headed out I was greeted by more staff in hazmat suits who took me along with others to a waiting area. We were given new masks (K95) and told to wait for the bus to take us to our quarantine location.

We then boarded a bus and drove for about three hours to our quarantine location. Exhausted, we arrived around 8 pm at the university dorms where we would stay for the next two weeks. Before entering the building, we had our temperatures checked again and turned in a paper of agreement of quarantine.

We then waited for the elevator going up one at a time. Once we entered our quarantine rooms we could not leave. Everyone had their own dorm room and a small private bathroom. Each dorm room contained things such as ramen, cereal, coffee mug, bowl, a kettle, trash bags, slippers for shower and room, body wash, shampoo/conditioner, and a laundry bar soap since we had to wash our clothes in the sink.

The next morning, we were taken downstairs to have our first covid test. Korea does covid testing differently than the United States. I had a long q tip go all the way up my nose and down my throat at the same time. It was a terrible sensation and I heard many gagging noises that day. We then paid for our quarantine in cash and headed upstairs unable to leave for the next two weeks.

Quarantine wasn’t as bad as people were saying. The days blurred together but I was able to study my Korean books and complete work for my program. Each morning and night we had to report our temperature and symptoms through the app. We got three meals a day and snacks. These meals were Korean food, so if you are a picky eater or have strict diet restrictions, this can be difficult for you. The staff were incredible and took amazing care of us. Sometimes even spoiling us with Burger King, chips, coke, and pizza which was a nice surprise.

On our last day, we boarded a bus and were taken to the local hospital where we would have our second covid test. Again, the test was terrible but we were so close to completing quarantine. Everyone tested negative and on the following day at noon, we were free and able to go out and start our orientation.

Overall, I had a good experience flying and I am blown away by how organized South Korea is and how seriously they are taking covid. Quarantine helped me overcome the jet lag and adjust to the time difference as well as to the food. It was a unique start to my journey here in South Korea.