Hope Danison -- Korea (Home Club -- Balston Spa)

February 9, 2015

Sponsor Rotary Club: District 7190 – Busan

Current Host Family: Kim HyeonOak, Sohng BongSu 김현옥, 성봉수

Counselor Name: Ooh JinLee 우진리  

            When winter break came along, my host parents worried about how I would entertain myself without school. During the month of January most Korean high school students go to academy (학원) or supplemental classes despite the vacation- so what else could there be for me to do besides study? To my delight, I was able to reach an equilibrium of fun and productivity by the end of the month.

            Most days I would wake up any time between 9 to 11am and eat breakfast alone. My host mom often instructed me through text what was available in the fridge and how I should prepare it. Both of my host parents worked during the break, so between 8am and 7pm I had the chance to fantasize about living on my own in a Korean apartment sometime in the distant future. On the days I didn't make plans with friends, I recycled all my productive pass times from the states. Usually I alternated between playing my flute, the piano, and studying.

            This new alone time was a pleasant change from spending all of my free time with my previous host family. At first I was weary of my ability to make the best use of my time, but then decided that if I could make it here (to Korea), I could make it anywhere (in Korea). So I went on numerous adventures in the city with friends to make Busan feel like home. Since most people live in apartments, I like to think that the various entertainment rooms in the city are just extensions of everyone's home. I took advantage of the karaoke rooms, public billiard rooms, cafes, giant department stores, and especially the mountains.

            One day during vacation I did end up going to school to meet with a friend who was going to “interview” me. I didn't know what to expect and I showed up to a one on one educational session about the issue of unification between North and South Korea. I learned about the many economic benefits for Korea as well as Japan, China, Russia, and the United States if Korea were to be unified. Later that night I asked my host parents about their opinions and learned that most Koreans wish for the country to be reunited. Revelations about North Korea continued to appear before me when our Rotary club sent us to tour the border. It's difficult to summarize the whole day and all the deep, profound thoughts that I had (laughter). But I know that learning more about North Korea enriched my experience in South Korea.

            As shown in my description of my winter vacation, I am able to live very comfortably here in Korea. Everyday life is safe and virtually no one is worried about the dangers of the North. But after learning a bit about it, I see that I was oblivious of how close the political situation is to even me, a foreigner. My host brother is serving his obligatory two years in the Korean army (as all Korean men must) while I'm living in his house. The American 20-something serving at Panmunjeom we met on our tour said he feels in danger everyday but he can't tell us why. My English teacher from school helps North Korean refugees living in Busan learn English. What I have gathered from all this is how Korea is a country of old and new at the same- culturally and politically.

            Still no meetings, no other Rotary events besides RYLA, and no contact with other Rotarians other than our coordinator. However, I have received good news about my host family. They have invited me to stay in their home until when I go back home in June, and the Rotary has consented to this arrangement! I suppose a former me would have been upset that I am only experiencing one Korean family during my exchange, but this is no problem to me now. Thanks to going between two parents of the same family, I have developed a very strong relationship with them. I have little fear of losing contact with them when I return to the US. Somehow I landed in the best host family I could ever ask for and was gifted the pleasure to stay with them throughout my exchange year. I know that they, above everyone else, have positively influenced this pivotal time in my life.