Friday, 10 August 2012

친구들

There were many things I had prepared for before I left for Korea; I had read the instruction guides, prepared myself for culture shock, what to do if I was lost, cultural customs, brushed up on my language skills. I packed plenty of clothes, medicines, a spare set of glasses, I studied the maps and read and reread the guidebooks. Thinking about the people I'd meet, the friends I'd make, was pushed far into the back of my mind. I figured I'd meet people in my classes, probably other Americans, we'd be able to eat meals together, and then in six weeks say goodbye to each other and move on. What I didn't anticipate was that I would meet some of the most incredible people I've ever been fortunate enough to have cross into my life, people from all around the world, who looked different, acted different, spoke different languages (as a matter of fact, I was usually the only one who wasn't bilingual in the group! I'm working on it though!). I knew that during these six weeks, I would learn tons about Korea, and I did, but what I didn't expect was that I would be learning about places like China, Japan, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Singapore or the UK. I didn't expect to learn more about my own country by seeing it through the eyes of the rest of the world, but having to answer questions about America that I'd never even thought about before was an enlightening experience. Sans a fellow Marylander I was fortunate enough to meet and hang out with on occasion, I almost never spent time with any other Americans. I felt an unfamiliar pressure to properly represent my home country, but also an insatiable curiosity to learn about those of my new friends.

But more importantly, we all got to experience Korea together. This was something that was completely foreign for so many of us. We experienced the same challenges and frustrations, but also the same joy when we finally did something we'd been messing up correctly or suddenly understood why something that seemed so nonsensical upon our arrival was the way it was. Our differences were washed away under new labels; "How old are you? Are you a student? You're a foreigner!". And at the same time, we had other friends who have lived in Korea, but who not only strived to see it through our fresh, foreigner eyes, but helped us so immensely in making our way around Seoul and making this experience truly wonderful.

Words can't describe how fun it has been to spend these six weeks with you all. Whether it be getting dinner together, making the wait staff take pictures of us no matter where we were, or travelling to new places around Seoul, sometimes getting lost, sometimes getting rained on, sometimes getting frustrated but always having fun in the end, or even just sitting in a bar, talking late into the night, playing games, learning more about each other, and just basking in each other's company. There are so many things I'm going to miss about every one of you, but I am so thankful we have the ability to keep in touch with each other even after we leave (and you all had better keep in touch!!).

I would love to say that we'll all see each other again. And, who knows, maybe we will! I promise you guys if I win the lottery I'll personally host an ISC "bro bro and sis sis" reunion. But even if I don't make my way to Canada, China, Japan, Europe or anywhere else, even if I were somehow to manage to go back to the US and spend the rest of my life there and never travel again (not going to happen, don't worry!), I'm so much happier having had you all in my life. So thank you all so much for making this Summer absolutely incredible (or, should I say, 감사합니다!). You are all truly amazing people!







































1 comments:

PeterDwars said...

Hey Liz!
aawww, I really like ur blog! I enjoyed the ISC aswell and we should definitely do a bro-bro-sis-sis reunion :-) I will let u know when I am near Baltimore, maybe we can meet! See you!

Peter

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