My internship experience in Seoul opened my eyes to an entire new world of media and life beyond my home base in Melbourne. I found the first weeks tough, living alone in a shoebox apartment (obtained through AirBNB), taking the pristine and efficient trains to work at the crack of dawn. But as my days began at english radio station tbs efm, and as I became more a part of the This Morning radio team, I started to value and enjoy my time. It was an amazing time to be in Seoul. The Red Devils Soccer team, a national institution, were expected to do well at the FIFA World Cup and the city was football mad. And so was the radio program, which allowed me a 5 minute segment at the top of the show – EVERYDAY to wrap up the overnight soccer action. Reporting in Gwanghwamun Square with thousands of Red Devils at the crack of dawn was more exhilarating and exciting than being in a underground pub on a very quiet Saturday morning watching Chile down Australia in Brazil! But it proved that the working times, and the down times were so much fun – the social life is amazing, the culture exciting and the people lovely. My favourite thing to do in down time was my daily jog – from my apartment in Insadong – down to Gyeongbokgung Square, up to the Presidential Blue Palace and back around. What a run.

Korea is a melting pot of Asia. It is the shining light in a world which looks down or at Asia with trepidation. It's exciting, bustling and never ending. Our visit to the Demilitarised Zone (in the north) was exhilarating and memorable, while the bullet-train bound trip to the southern town of Busan was the most relaxing thing my fellow classmate and I did over my trip. There is so much to see and do in Korea.

I took the opportunity to create a 12 part video series of my time in Korea. It garnered my passion for video journalism – something I now do as a full time job in Melbourne Australia. I may have had the smallest handy-cam and tripod in the world – but I brought my cultural and exciting experience in Seoul, South Korea to people right around the world. I even held onto it as I "bounced" the man who seemed untouchable by a big crowd of cameras and journalists – the popular Mayor of Seoul, Park Won-Soon. I was able to drag my girlfriend, Emma over to Seoul for my final week in the city. And boy – we had so much fun – and I had so much to show her – including the dreaded drink Sojo – in a very small amount of time. Lots of Sojo and Beer was consumed! Anyone looking for a good rooftop bar – head to Battered Sole in Itaewon – good fish and chips, drinks – and the best sunset you'll ever see.

Going on my experience, the support Australian students, ex-pats and travellers get in Seoul is amazing. As an intern, Embassy Staff, particularly the AKF Director Jinny, were one phone call away, and I always felt at home on the 18th floor of the Kyobo building. It was the only place (apart from the Aussie Bar in Itaewon for State of Origin Night) where there was a majority of Australian accents. But the Embassy and the AKF's support transcends voice and accent – it garners passion and willingness. Australia wants to be a bigger part of Korea. The Free Trade Agreement has swung open the door on this – it is now up to future Australian generations to reap the benefits. And that's only one reason, of so many, why being an Aussie in Korea, is so exciting. There will always be challenges, languages to overcome, and a culture to be shocked by – but the opportunities are endless.

Media intern Simon Love, simonlove.com.au