Making it feel like home, anywhere you go.

I first started Google Guide because I wanted to help foreigners find nice places in Korea. For the natives of South Korea, we can use the ‘Naver’ or ‘Google’ search in Korean to find new and popular restaurants and their reviews. There are many sources for native Koreans to find new places to visit whether it be through the Kakao messenger or Facebook pages. However, these great sources are not shared through the English language.

As an international kid who grew up abroad, I wanted everyone to share and enjoy the nicest places you can find in Seoul. I came across the Google Guide one day, and I thought it was the best and the most efficient way to review places that could have impact for foreigners living or visiting South Korea. And I know, Google provides communicable translation through its translator, but I felt like communicating with people over the internet through their most comfortable language. Thus, I started reviewing every places in English, trying to be as detailed as possible. I really enjoyed it when foreigners and tourists “liked” my review because I felt proud to be helping them.

Now, I am studying in the city of Chicago, and now I have changed my English reviews to Korean reviews. I go to places and write all my reviews in Korean. Despite my audience being much lower, I still enjoy helping foreigners in American soil feel like home. Recently, I met a Korean friend through my school community, and she knew who I was even before I introduced myself to her. She had been going around the school, too, and saw my face popping up at places that I reviewed. I was even more motivated to continue my pursuit. I love these sense of connection, when I really feel like I am contributing to my community.

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