By gwrobinkim
As I reflect on my community here abroad, I can’t help but laugh a little. It’s a true mix of what I expected and what I truly could not have imagined.
1. Home Away From Home
First off, my most intimate and close-knit community here in Seoul is actually comprised of GW students! Three of my friends back at GW are also studying abroad here in Seoul, yet we are all scattered in different schools - Ewha, Yonsei and Seoul National University. It’s hilarious when we show up at SNU events and the other students find out that I don’t even go to SNU, yet I’ve made so many friends there! It’s also funny how I actually have more friends at Yonsei and SNU than I do at my own school, whom I've met through my GW friends.
It’s fun spending the week with fellow exchange and local students at Ewha, even from Yonsei and SNU, and acclimating myself to the diverse group of people. But it feels so good to meet up with my GW friends on the weekend, whether it’s in 신촌 (Sinchon) near my campus or 낙성대 (Nakseongdae) near theirs. It’s comforting to know that I’m able to share the same experiences with people I know I’ll be seeing back home, with people that will understand my references and be able to share the same stories.
2. 신촌 (Sinchon)
신촌 (Sinchon) is both a nostalgic but also brand new place for me. It takes me less than ten minutes to walk to the heart of 신촌 (Sinchon) from my Ewha campus. It’s a very busy, very crowded area filled with street stores, street food, restaurants, bars, street performers, karaoke rooms, arcades, and the list goes on. It’s also college-central because it sits near two university campuses - Ewha and Yonsei. So coming here, it’s inevitable that I spend a lot of my time in 신촌 (Sinchon) and meet up with friends or even go alone. With all the side and back alleyways filled with an overwhelming number of restaurants and karaoke rooms, it’s so easy to get lost. I know I did during my first few weeks here. So then how could it be nostalgic?
When I was in the seventh to ninth grade, I actually attended an international school in 신촌 (Sinchon) - it’s actually located right behind Yonsei’s campus. However, like I said, I was in the seventh to ninth grade. I didn’t have much business being in a place filled with college students doing college student-things. In fact, I filmed my eighth grade “Man vs. Wild” project on Yonsei’s campus, and the whole vibe was so enchanting and almost comforting that that was the moment I decided I wanted to study abroad in Korea. It’s crazy to think now that I’m in actually living here in the 신촌 (Sinchon) area, doing those said college student-things.
3. Family
Now this one’s a no-brainer because I literally do have family here in Seoul - well, one family member to be exact. My 큰이모 (Keun-emo: oldest aunt on my mom’s side) moved to Korea after living many many years in Las Vegas, but is actually moving back to the states by the end of this month. Nonetheless, it’s been so comforting and convenient to have a blood relative by my side. I spent my 추석 (Chuseok = Korean Thanksgiving) break with her, she gave me her extra blankets to use at my dorm, she helped me figure out how to use the laundry machine in Korea, and so much more. There’s nothing like family.
In addition to my aunt, I’ve had several 아저씨s (ahjussi = middle-aged man) taking care of me ever since I stepped foot in Korea. My dad has made a lot of friends through both personal and work connections and so when they all heard that his daughter was coming to study abroad in Seoul, they all pounced on the chance to take care of me. I’ve eaten nuuumerous free meals (very delicious free meals, might I add) thanks to my dad’s friends and colleagues. And in Korean culture, buying a meal for someone is a common but nonetheless very appreciated gesture. Also comforting to my wallet. I know It may be silly to consider a bunch of middle-aged Korean men as part of my community, but I am really grateful for all the advice, food, and Korean speaking practice I’ve received from them.
To sum it up, I’ve noticed I used the word comforting a lot. I guess the best quality in a solid community is just that: comfort. And it’s ironic that in order to achieve this level of comfort, you first have to step out of your comfort level.
Regardless, I’ve definitely found my comfort zone here in Seoul.
