My First U.S. Company Retreat – Chicago Workshop as a Korean Developer • WaterMoon.Log

✈️ My First U.S. Company Retreat Experience

This post is based on a blog I originally wrote in 2024 on Naver, with new updates and details I didn’t include before.

Yes, I work for an American company. In the fall of 2024, our team hosted an official company retreat in Chicago.

Many of my coworkers wanted to attend, but due to post-COVID visa issues and our globally scattered workforce, only a handful of us from Korea got approved. My mentor had been rejected before and wasn’t happy to get turned down again. Maybe next time just follow your family to Canada citizenship, huh?

The company arranged a shuttle bus for those without cars, like me. We were told to arrive by 6 AM, so I called an Uber just to be safe. Turns out… almost no one showed up on time. Typical 😮‍💨

That sunrise photo? Yep, taken around 5 AM.

🚌 Listening to NewJeans While Headed to the Hotel

The bus actually arrived on time at 6 AM, so we could board right away.

The tricky part? Seating. I was the only woman among the Korean group, and the guys had already paired up like it was planned. Did I mind? Nope—I love sitting alone. More space for me, total win 😎

Just when I got comfy, a female Indian PM joined me, saying I looked lonely. I couldn’t exactly say no to her kindness, especially since I was the only Korean woman there. Goodbye solo seat…

Things escalated quickly. She got into a heated phone call with her husband—in Hindi—right next to me. And this is the same PM known for being intense and intimidating at work. Yikes.

After hanging up, she turned to me and said one thing:

“Don’t ever get married.”

🤣 And just like that, I liked her even more. Pure chaos, but so warm-hearted at the same time.

Meanwhile, the guys at the front were blasting NewJeans’ “Ditto” but didn’t seem to know much about them.

🏨 Arriving at the Hotel

We checked in right away. The hotel was pretty fancy—apparently around $180–230 per night.

One issue: I forgot my passport. 😱 Thank goodness I had my international driver’s license. Lesson learned—never leave home without your passport when abroad.

I asked the receptionist what kind of ID works. She said anything with your English name on it, like a passport, international license, or student ID. Just something to remember in case you lose your passport during a U.S. trip.

🧠 Too Much for an Introvert?

As a hardware-software hybrid company, our first activity was—wait for it—solving math problems.

I was dying from jet lag and they hit us with a toy train track logic challenge. Thankfully, one of our AI engineers did most of the brainwork.

What did I do? Played with blocks with another Korean designer. No shame. 😅

I thought it was over, but nope. We went straight into quizzes and scavenger hunts.

Later I found out I had been assigned to the most extroverted, competitive team. No wonder it felt like a battlefield. I’m a 100% introvert and I was drained.

🎁 Won an Alexa – Sold It Later

Despite everything, our team placed 3rd and we got to pick prizes.

I chose an Amazon Alexa—which I later brought back to Korea, never used, and sold on a secondhand app for 120,000 KRW (~$90). Profit secured! 💸

🍽️ Dinner and the Sweetest Sleep Ever

At dinner, everyone tried to chat and be friendly. But honestly? My brain was fried. Jet lag + English = sensory overload. I was just nodding through it all, waiting for the bus back.

Once I got to my room, I hit the bed and knocked out in literally 1 second. Deepest sleep of my life.

🛳️ Rainy Cruise Lunch with a New Friend

The next morning, I grabbed two cups of my favorite brand yogurt at breakfast and then headed to the riverside for a lunch cruise—even though it was raining.

Despite the weather, Chicago skies looked wide and beautiful.

I ended up having lunch with another Indian female developer—one of the only other women in our U.S. office. She was so sweet and treated me like a little sister. I still miss her 🥲

🚘 Ride Home with a Kind Manager

On the way home, I got a ride from our U.S. mobile team lead, who happened to be Korean too. He treated me to a drink at a drive-through and was super kind throughout.

Fun fact I learned: U.S. roads often have designated U-turn points at the end of one-way routes. I love smart infrastructure like that. Definitely felt like a “developed country” moment.

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