With all my heart and Seoul

MANILA, Philippines - A couple of months ago, if someone were to ask me what would first come to mind when I heard the word “Korea,” images of kimchi, Boys over Flowers, the Wonder Girls, Rain, and maybe even news about the tension between North and South Korea would immediately come to mind. Korea was just another foreign country to me that I’d read about during history class and seen a number of times on TV. Little did I know that after just 28 days, my perceptions would all change.

On the morning of May 4, I was all packed and ready for the 28 days ahead of me, as a YFU (Youth For Understanding) exchange student to Korea. I honestly did not know what to expect from this challenge I set for myself, because no matter how complete my things were in my luggage or how much “survival Korean” words I knew, no amount of packing or reading could really help me prepare myself for all the things I was soon to be faced with. I don’t know whether anxiousness or excitement was what filled me on my way to Korea during the three-hour-and-20-minute plane ride. After going through security and immigration I was warmly greeted by a pleasant Korean family holding a personalized poster that said, “Welcome to Korea, Sofia Bautista!” At that moment I realized that I was face to face with the people I’d be calling my family for the next few weeks. I was then acquainted with my host father, younger brother, younger sister and fellow exchange student all the way from Germany who would serve as my companion for the duration of my stay. After all the last-minute greetings and reminders from the YFU staff I was finally on my way to the place I’d call home.

I was warmly welcomed to my new home in Naesondong, Uiwang-shi by my entire host family and their family friends with a nice dinner celebration. Every day would be a new adventure, meeting new people, learning new words, practising new customs, eating different foods, visiting new places and so much more.

Feeling homesick was definitely something I didn’t have to struggle with because after just a few days with my host family, I felt that I was truly part of the family. My host parents were the most caring people. They always made sure I was enjoying myself. Although my host brother was younger than me, he acted like my oppa (older brother), always making sure I was okay and my host sister would always keep me entertained. I couldn’t have asked for a better host family to show me the wonders of Korea. I even remember learning a few of my very first Korean phrases from my family, like the saying “Jal mo ges seupnida” and “Jal mo gos seupnida” before and after a meal. I traveled to so many fascinating places like the Grand Children’s park, Lotte World, and the different beaches, museums and other attractions in Korea. Of course one of the best parts was having the chance to taste all the unique Korean delicacies like kimchi, mandoo, gimbop, topokki, pajeon, bibimbap, chajang myun, their different kinds of street food and so much more.

Little by little I was introduced to Korean customs and traditions and I felt as if I’d been practising them all my life. I was never that familiar with the many K-pop artists or actors before so seeing all the Korean “idols,” as they call them, really made me appreciate the creativity and abundant talent of young Koreans.

I was curious to see how things were in schools in Korea after hearing about students staying in school until 10 p.m. to study. At first I was afraid that school would be too serious and strict. Although they do take their studies very seriously, Korean high school students are still fun to be with. I was overwhelmed with all the attention I got being an exchange student from a foreign country after a while I enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the Korean youth and to be able to share my own culture as well. I met a lot of new friends who assisted me throughout my stay there in Indeogwon High School, introducing me to all the things they loved and were interested in. Since I couldn’t fully understand most of the subjects I would make the most out the subjects I could fully participate in like PE, English conversation class, art and computer. I was also given extra attention due to my excellent English skills so I took advantage of my situation to help my classmates and even my siblings with their English lessons. My school experience was definitely an eye opener for me, for it showed me the difference between the educational system in Korea and in the Philippines. But no matter how much they differed, I realized that even with a language barrier I can still find people, great friends to share even greater memories with.

 After my 28 days, I had to say goodbye to the streets of Seoul, the buses and trains I would take, the great weather I got used to, the Korean customs I got used to practicing, the new friends I made and the people who I grew to recognize as my true family. Saying goodbye to the place that I was finally now familiar with as home was the hardest thing I had to deal with during my entire YFU experience. Sure, It was a nice feeling knowing that I would finally be back in my home in the Philippines, but it wasn’t fully satisfying knowing that I’d be leaving another one behind. Twenty-eight days was definitely not enough to be able to explore all the great highlights of Korea, even Seoul alone. There were too many places to go, sights to see, people to meet, things to learn but so little time. Though 28 days seemed short I gained so many insights and learned so many things that it seemed like it was worth years of experience. I read somewhere once that “Experience is the best teacher,” and I couldn’t agree more. The things I learned couldn’t be compared to anything you would simply watch in a documentary, read in a history book or come across in a travel guide. In the span of those 28 days I learned about responsibility, gratitude, cultural diversity, independence, trust, open-mindedness and how easily one can build life-lasting relationships with others. It may seem ironic but it was also in Korea where I learned to appreciate the uniqueness of my own culture, which I never clearly recognized before as I was growing up with it. After living in a place surrounded with people who speak a different language, I realized that language isn’t such a huge barrier after all. Sure, it would’ve been easier to get through the day if I spoke and understood Korean fluently, but whether I fully understood people or not, that didn’t mean that I couldn’t recognize the care and love my host family, classmates and teachers were showing me. Actions do speak louder than words.

My YFU experience helped me come out of my comfort zone and really explore the unknown and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. YFU not only made me appreciate Korean culture. It also strengthened my pride for my own nation and opened my eyes, mind and heart to the beauty of the whole world. That’s truly what Youth for Understanding is all about. YFU doesn’t just simply bring students to other countries, it provides an opportunity for the youth to open their eyes to the world.

I’d like to thank YFU Philippines, YFU Korea and the World Friend Scholarship for this amazing opportunity. Special thanks to my dear host family, the Park family, for the love and care; for my school, Indeogwon High School; and my newfound friends. And for those future YFU students I can’t wait for you all to see the world as I see it now.

So if anyone were to ask me what comes to my mind when I hear the word “Korea” now, just one word would be enough to explain it all: “Home.”

* * *

For further particulars on the Youth For Understanding Program, contact YFU/Philippines at 731-9980 or e-mail yfuphil@yahoo.com .