10 Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned in Korea | Why NOT all "PMs" are the same

Hey friend 👋

💡 ICYMI: I shared a video breaking down the differences between Project, Product, and Program Manager (do you see the difference now?)

Life has been so busy, I almost forgot to share highlights (and lessons) from my 10-day trip to Korea.

TLDR: It was everything I didn’t know I needed.

Time slowed down, I reconnected with my family, and rediscovered my roots.

And somewhere between the street food, cramped taxi rides, and late-night laughs, I came back with a few takeaways I wanted to share with you.

Here are 10 life lessons that hit different when you’re 6,000 miles away from home:

1. Families who travel together stay together

This was a rare full-family vacation (my dad, brother, husband, and sister-in-law), and it reminded me just how healing shared experiences can be.

• Tip: Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to travel with loved ones—put a date on the calendar and commit. For us, a family wedding became the perfect “excuse” to travel abroad together.

2. Memories > materials

I bought very few things—but I’ll never forget the taste of handmade noodles enjoyed on a warm bench (yes, electric) in the winter chill.

• Tip: Budget for experiences over souvenirs, and jot down your daily reflections in the Notes app (trust me, you’ll forget otherwise).

3. Be flexible with plans

Each day brought surprises—some delightful, some... not so much. It was freezing, so we skipped outdoor activities for spas, massages, and indoor shopping.

• Tip: Build in buffer time and stay open to spontaneous changes (weather can make or break your plans).

4. Document the moments you want to cherish

I’m so glad I filmed small, silly moments with family—those are the real gems. One of my favorite memories? A night stroll through a local market to see the legendary Netflix-famous knife-cut noodle vendor.

• Tip: Capture daily highlights and create a shared iPhone album to keep memories alive—without maxing out your storage.

5. Travel light

We only brought carry-ons, which forced us to get intentional about our stuff.

• Tip: Cut your packing list in half. My motto: I'll get it if it fits and sparks joy.

6. Taxi drivers can be the best tour guides

We got some of our best recommendations by chatting with locals during our rides.

• Tip: Ask where they eat, not where tourists go. You’ll always find hidden gems.

7. Nice places are only great with the people you share them with

Even the fanciest hotel view (shoutout to Grand Hyatt Jeju—the best I’ve EVER stayed at) meant little if the vibe wasn’t right.

• Tip: Prioritize who you travel with and be present enough to enjoy the highs, lows, and real moments that come with it.

8. Kindness, patience, and understanding are a universal language

We didn’t speak perfect Korean, but locals met us with so much compassion (my elementary-level Korean definitely helped!).

• Tip: Learn a few basic phrases—and always assume good intent. Start with:

  • Hello

  • Can you help me?

  • I don’t understand

  • Excuse me / I’m sorry

  • Can you speak English?

  • Where is the bathroom?

  • What do you recommend?

9. Appreciation for your roots humbles you

Being in Korea reminded me how far my family has come—and how much of that journey lives in me.

I felt so proud to be Korean-American and grateful for my two immigrant parents who gave me the chance to live the American dream.

• Tip: Ask your family about your history, visit places with personal significance, and create a shared cultural bucket list.

1o. Quality of life = quality of your relationships

The best part of this trip wasn’t the location. It was being surrounded by people I love, my family.

Honestly, I could’ve gone to a 💩 destination and still had the time of my life because of them.

• Tip: Invest in your relationships like you invest in your career—send that text, make the call, plan the trip. Memories are literally priceless.

So, if you've been waiting for a sign to book that trip, reconnect with your roots, or put your routines on hold, this is it.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you—what’s your favorite travel destination and why?

(Me already daydreaming about my next adventure ✈️)

Until next time 💙

— Jean

P.S. One of my students landed her dream offer in just 6 weeks.

She pivoted from higher ed — and is now earning 70% more at a HOT AI startup in San Francisco 🔥

Yes, even in this market.

Her story is proof that you don’t need to start over or drop thousands on a certification that doesn’t guarantee anything.

You just need the right strategy.

If you want to learn how to find the right PM roles, communicate your value with confidence, and negotiate what you’re really worth—I’d love to show you how.

✅ Apply to work with me

*success stories here