Happy One Year Anniversary!!

Today marks the one year anniversary of my life here in Korea. One year ago, I arrived in a new country afraid of what could have been either the biggest mistake of my life or the best decision ever. One year ago, I left my family, my friends, and my then boyfriend, all behind in the country and city that I had lived in my entire life. I came here to experience something different. I came here to experience life outside the comforts of my familiar surroundings. One year ago, I came here with a couple of suitcases, got picked up by my head teacher from the bus terminal in Daejeon after an eleven hour plane ride and a 2 hour bus ride, and had my first REAL Korean meal of Sam Gyup Sal wrapped in sesame leaves.

I can’t believe it’s been a year. So much has changed in my life that it’s hard to believe it all happened in one year. Not only has my geographic location changed, but I have changed. Living in a completely different society will do that to a person. I like to believe that most of the changes have been for the better although not everyone agrees, and that’s ok. I am my own person.

I’ve had some really awesome times here in Korea this last year. It’s been so great that I decided six months ago that I would stay for another year. And by now, six months after that, I’ve just about decided that I want to stay for another year after that. I have met so many amazing people here, both Korean and foreigners, that I cannot imagine leaving them all just yet. I miss my people back home, but I need to be here for a while still. Something tells me deep down inside that Korea still has a lot to offer me and maybe I can offer something of myself to back Korea. What that is, I’m still not sure.

I think part of what I can offer back to Korea is patience and an open mind. I have to admit that I have experienced some culture shock here and I have not made as big an effort to work through it as I could. Maybe being open to learning more about Korean society and trying to look objectively at the positives as well as the negatives of living here would be a good start. It’s all a part of the process. Hopefully that process will lead me towards a better understanding of Korea, of the world, and of how I fit into all of it.

With all of that in mind I just wanted to say, Happy one-year anniversary, Korea!

We have our ups and our downs, but through it all, I love you.