Coming from Prince George’s County, Maryland, both personally and professionally, life couldn’t be more different from what I experienced in Seoul. Back home, it often felt hostile, isolated and fast paced, and I’ll admit, I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to adjust in Korea.
I came here with two goals: to strengthen my marketing skills and to reconnect with parts of my culture that felt lost growing up. What I found was a huge culture change, but also a surprising number of common aspects that reminded me how connected people really are.
Back in Maryland, people tend to stick to themselves while keeping distance from one another, and often it feels like everyone shows up with an attitude. In Korea, I saw that life doesn’t have to be like that. I also noticed that personal space is very limited (not in a bad way, just something I wasn’t used to). Being welcomed fully by my Enkostay family, I felt like I was finally at home, even in a place thousands of miles away.
I saw how hard my bosses worked, both on the clock and off the clock, staying late hours to tackle everything they needed to accomplish. This was inspiring, but it also showed me just how serious this industry can be. Here, I felt like everyone was working as part of a well-oiled machine, each person focused on a common goal, giving their best in their areas of strength while relying on others to support their weaker spots while taking notes and learning along the way. At first, it was a little strange to walk into a room and hear nothing but the occasional whisper and the steady clicking of keyboards. But when lunch break came around, the smiles and conversations filled the air, and I began to see the balance they had built.
It took me a couple of weeks to adjust to this workflow and lifestyle. I was used to working non-stop, pushing through without breaks, but here I actually had to be told: “Once you clock out, go enjoy Korea.” That shift taught me the value of balance and intentional rest. I picked up a lot from my bosses along the way, and I’ll proudly call them my mentors now.
What I Worked On
During my internship, I had the chance to dive into multiple projects that gave me both practical marketing experience and a deeper understanding of how to connect with an international audience.
At first, SEO practices were just concepts I had studied in school (shout out Towson University), but I had never truly applied them in a real-world setting. Diving straight into blog creation and customer experience at Enkostay, I quickly learned the do’s and don’ts of optimization. From refining URLs to adding alt text on photos, and everything in between, I experienced firsthand how small details can significantly impact click rates and views. Beyond the technical side, I was deeply involved in creating blogs from scratch, brainstorming topics, structuring posts for readability, and tailoring content to our target audience of international students and digital nomads. Using our dashboard and CTR tools, we tracked performance and identified the highest-searched terms and topics foreigners were looking for, which allowed us to strategically build content around their needs. By researching and embedding the right keywords, I helped ensure each blog aligned with what people were actually searching for, which boosted our visibility and drew in new traffic. This approach not only improved our search rankings but also positioned Enkostay as a trusted source of information, driving higher engagement and more inquiries from potential guests.
The main focus of my role, however, was supporting the Enkomatch system, where I interacted directly with potential guests and created personalized listings of accommodations for them to view before booking. At first, like with any new experience, I was nervous. But within a couple of weeks, I found myself developing a flow that lead to me reformatting key elements, finding clearer, and more appealing ways to present information in hopes of boosting booking rates. It was incredibly rewarding to know that my efforts could directly influence a guest’s decision-making process.
After proving my abilities in room matching and blog creation, I dove into content creation, where I assisted in producing posts for our social media pages. Learning under my coworker Mike, I picked up best practices, filming techniques, and the proper ways to format content for each platform we used. With Mike and through the content he created, we explored different café shots, sunsets, and exhibits to fun entertaining lighthearted posts and especially booking-focused videos, where we were able to lower installment costs by nearly 75%. This hands-on guidance helped me see that good content isn’t just about what you say, but how you present it to fit the space it lives in.
That work eventually led me to running and formatting our Reddit community: r/EkostayAdvice, and let me tell you, this was a brain twister. Reddit isn’t like Instagram or TikTok, where visuals and short captions can do the heavy lifting. Instead, it required a completely different strategy: authenticity, casual but engaging writing, and a deep understanding of how communities interact. I had to adjust my style of communication to feel personal yet informative, and it taught me a lot about what really makes content resonate.
Beyond content and customer interaction, I was also trusted with app and website testing, identifying weaknesses, and suggesting areas for improvement. One of the highlights for me was even getting the chance to design my own experiments for potential future changes, an opportunity that gave me a sense of ownership and responsibility beyond a typical intern role.
Every project pushed me to grow. I wasn’t just learning marketing in theory anymore, I was living it, experimenting with it, and seeing the results play out in real time.
Lessons on Housing in Korea
Even though I didn’t personally book through Enkostay, being on the inside gave me a clear view of the unique challenges foreigners face when finding housing in Korea:
High deposits: Many traditional contracts require massive deposits, often in the thousands, which can be intimidating or impossible for students and first-time visitors.
Barriers for foreigners: Things like needing a Korean phone number, committing to a year-long lease, or navigating Korean-only contracts can shut people out.
What makes Enkostay stand out is how it directly tackles these problems. With Enkostay, guests can find no-deposit accommodations, with options ranging from 2 weeks to 2+ years. Many listings are located near major school areas in Seoul and Busan, close to public transit stations, and surrounded by cafes, restaurants, attractions, and fun neighborhoods, giving people both convenience and lifestyle from day one.
On top of that, the accommodations provided through Enkostay are RC document ready, which means getting your ARC card is one less thing you have to stress about before arriving in Korea. And perhaps just as important, Enkostay is proudly foreigner-friendly, communicating in multiple languages, mainly Korean and English, to make the booking process smooth and accessible, even if you’re just learning the language.
These insights made me appreciate just how impactful Enkostay is, not just as a housing service, but as a bridge for people who want to live and thrive in Korea.
Beyond the Office
Of course, my time in Korea wasn’t just about work. I had the chance to explore and experience the country in ways I’ll never forget:
Seoul’s historic palaces and modern neighborhoods, where tradition and innovation live side by side.
Everyday life moments, like learning to navigate the subway, enjoying convenience store snacks, and finding quiet cafés to unwind.
I went everywhere, sometimes intentionally, more often completely by accident. One day I’d be standing in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, soaking in the scale of Korea’s royal history, and the next I’d be walking through traditional Hanok villages, where time feels like it slows down. I wandered into shopping districts, looked up at the towering glass of Lotte Tower, and crossed the city to the opposite side to take in the views from Namsan Tower. I even found myself drifting out into the countryside, where everything had a slower rhythm but carried the same sense of beauty and purpose.
I’ve traveled to over 10+ countries, but Korea quickly became my top choice. The food was always good, the people were far friendlier than I expected, and the views were breathtaking. From random sculptures on street corners to massive murals splashed across building walls, everywhere felt like a canvas of creativity. Even the people themselves added to the scenery, their fashion, their energy, and their presence gave the city its own living artwork.
And of course, no experience would be complete without the food. Whether it was grabbing my favorite kimbap from the local GS25 or CU, stuffing my face with Korean BBQ and other traditional meals, or simply walking along free pathways at sunset with something quick to eat, these everyday moments became some of my favorites. And while I’m not a huge coffee fan, Korea’s cafés won me over with their desserts and pastries, some of the most mouth-watering treats I’ve ever had.
The one thing I thought I was ready for, but was completely blindsided by, was the weather. Coming from PG, where summers feel like you’re trapped in an instant sweat suit, I figured Korean summer would be nothing. Oh, how I was wrong. From blazing hot sunny days to sudden flooding rainy ones, the climate kept me on my toes and in sweat. And then there were the hills and stairs. They warned me, but I didn’t listen. Trust and believe, your legs will look like Greek gods after weeks of walking and exploring Korea.
These experiences reminded me why I came in the first place: not only to grow in my career, but to immerse myself in a culture that was both new and yet deeply connected to my roots.
Why Enkostay Matters
Even though I wasn’t a direct customer, I saw every day how much Enkostay impacts people who are arriving in Korea, often feeling the same nervousness I once felt. What stood out to me wasn’t just the housing options, but the support system behind them.
The team wasn’t simply listing rooms, they were making life in Korea possible for foreigners. From preparing no-deposit accommodations and ensuring they were ARC-ready to breaking down the language gap with English and Korean support, Enkostay focused on removing barriers that normally discourage people from coming here.
Through the blogs we created, we gave foreigners tips, tricks, and everyday information all in one place to make the transition easier once they arrived. We covered everything from transportation guides, to the best neighborhoods to live in, to full series on getting ARC cards, plus practical topics like recycling how-to’s and even daily itineraries thoughtfully planned for newcomers.
And through social media, we provided a face to the action, showing that staying in Korea can not only be fun, but also doesn’t have to break the bank. By mixing community-focused content with real-life experiences, Enkostay showed people what life here could actually look like.
That’s when I realized Enkostay isn’t just a housing company, it’s a true asset to your stay in Korea, helping people not only find a place to live but also understand how to live here with confidence.
Final Thoughts
From Prince George’s County to Seoul, my summer 2025 was a journey of growth, culture, and connection. I came here nervous about whether I could adjust, but I’m leaving with new skills, new confidence, and a sense of belonging I didn’t expect.
Most of all, I’m leaving with gratitude, for the mentors who pushed me, the coworkers who welcomed me, and the Enkostay team who made Korea feel like home. A special thank you to Hojee, Mike, May, Tia, Joy, Jay, and everyone else at Enkostay for making my experience a truly fantastic one that I will remember forever.
This internship gave me so much more than professional growth, it gave me friendships, lessons, and memories that I’ll carry with me wherever I go. I not only strengthened my marketing skills and gained a new perspective on my future career path, but I was also able to set clear goals for what I want to accomplish and who I’d like to become as I grow older.
This was my transition summer, a season where I found clarity, confidence, and connection. I hope to come back soon and see everyone again.
This is me signing off, for my last blog.
Yours truly,
David King
You can find me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-king00