This past summer, I traveled to Korea with a suitcase full of clothes and a heart full of excitement. After my two-month stay, I left with an extra suitcase brimming with new clothes, unforgettable memories, and a list of pros and cons for people thinking of visiting Korea.

Pro: Bathroom Stalls

When I think of Korea, I imagine a technologically advanced country, far removed from American society. The bathroom stalls in Korea perfectly fit this description. When entering the bathroom, you are not just walking into any ordinary, run-down shack. You are entering an automated porcelain paradise. The stalls themselves have no door gaps, each toilet has a bidet, and if you’re among the truly lucky, you may find yourself on a heated seat. Needless to say, Korean bathrooms are superior to the ones found in America.

Pro: Convenience

Another great feature of Korea is its convenience. Every block on the street houses everything you could ever want or need. Restaurants, convenience stores, make-up shops, and so much more are all within a 10-minute walk. To take it a step further, Korea has an efficient food delivery system. With a press of a button, a moped will show up at the door with some fresh, crispy fried chicken. However, the convenience could be a two-way street as I often idly lazed around in bed.

Pro: Fried Chicken

By the end of my stay, I had consumed three times my body weight in fried chicken. When people say Korea has the best fried chicken in the world, they aren’t exaggerating. The most famous chicken chain restaurant, Kyochon, is frequented so much by natives and foreigners, they give discounts to those who order take-out to free up space in the restaurant. I often took advantage of this take-out discount to get my money’s worth of boneless honey-glazed chicken. Korean fried chicken holds a special place in my heart as the most delectable food that has ever graced my tastebuds.

Cons: Smokers

If you like breathing or if you have asthma, a trip to Korea might be difficult. The country’s adult population absolutely loves to smoke. Hoards of office workers stand outside in a haze of polluted air. Passing by an office building is a nightmare for an asthmatic like myself.

Cons: Spitting

Traveling might be difficult for germaphobes as well. When walking down the street, your odds of seeing a middle-aged man spit on the street are 100%. Maybe it is a result of smoking, but the spitting culture is strong. When I walk by these spitting machines, I put on a brave face to mask my nauseous stomach.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend taking a trip to Korea. While there might be a couple of cons, the beauty and memories Korea provides make the visit well worth it.