For most of my life, I’ve lived in a predominantly white environment, went to a white school, and hung out with white kids. Consequently, my burgeoning feelings of uncertainty about my ethnic identity began to emerge as I grew older. I can’t say I wasn’t proud of my heritage and ethnicity. I spoke a little korean here and there, I ate korean food, and I participated in Sebae, a korean tradition, every New Years. But being constantly surrounded by only one type of ethnicity really shielded me from being able to immerse myself in the full experience of my culture. So when I was given the opportunity to visit Korea and fulfill my wish of “truly” experiencing my culture, I leapt at the prospect.

About 2 weeks into my vacation in South Korea, my parents had decided to take matters into their own hands and decide what to do with my summer free time. They decided to send me to my cousin Benjamin’s school for the rest of the break. Before I could say no Dad interjected, “Michael just to let you know, this is non-negotiable, it’s already been decided with your uncle and also be ready to go to school tomorrow.” Begrudgingly, I agreed to attend the school.

As I lay down to bed, I was flushed emotions, all ranging from being flat out angry to being scared and nervous. After trying to convince myself, I finally began think that,  “Well, isn’t change good a thing? This could be a clean slate, or a fresh slate, one might say, in this new environment and school.”  So when the next day finally came, I felt as though I was ready for change, ready for this new life in this new country. As I walked into the dining room, I could see my cousin already dressed and eating his breakfast. Slightly confused, I asked him why no one was up,

“Well, maybe because it’s super early and everyone is tired Michael,” Benjamin replied in a sarcastic tone.

“Alright, then if everyone’s so tired, why are you up so early in the first place?” I said somewhat annoyed,
“To do my homework, duh,” Benjamin stated as though it was obvious.

I replied, “Excuse me? Your homework?”

“Yeah we have like 4 hours till school starts,” Benjamin said.

Unknowingly to my knowledge, school apparently in Korea starts at 10:30, not at 7:45 as I had previously thought like schools in America.

As we began to walk to school, I felt like I was on pins and needles, totally dying from the anticipation.  It was finally my first day at my new school in Korea and I was not going to mess this up. As I sat down in my seat, I took a deep breathe, smelling the fresh korean air, and as butterflies began to fill my stomach, I pulled out my 3 subject notebook, reassuring myself saying that I was ready for whatever this school could throw at me. I then saw the teacher walk by, unsure if she was walking towards me, I looked forward. When it became obvious that she was walking towards me, I finally turned to her the moment she began to speak in Korean,

“Hi hello, how are you, are you the new student here from America?” she said

“Yes I am” I answered back in broken Korean.

“Well I hope you have a good first day and just try to follow along for today, mhmm?” she said.

And as I said yes she became to speak, telling her kids what their assignments were and their plan for the day, as they all ranged from Math, Science, Korean History Etc. But when she was speaking I began immediately noticed the respect and attention the students.

The culture shift I experienced next couple days was like revelation to me. If I wanted to be immersed in Korean culture, I certainly got my wish. Every single student I met, was Korean, spoke Korean, as our lunch was rice with various banchan (korean side dishes). To me I felt as if I was walking into uncharted territory and was totally out of place. I watched my classmates talk and chatter in a language that seemed both familiar and foreign to me.

Throughout the couple weeks it became obvious that these kids not only loved to learn, they had fun while doing it. Their hard work dedication and positive energy motivated me to also do as well as my peers and friends. Their hard work and positivity made me proud of the tenacious nature of Korean culture.

Summer break plodded on, and I felt my initial uneasiness start  to fade. Gradually, I adapted and became more and more comfortable with my new surroundings. Life fell into a routine. I would wake up, walk to the bus station with Benjamin, stand up for the daily bow to the teacher, go to class, go to recess, eat lunch, clean up the classroom at the end of the day, and then walk home. It even began to feel fun at times. My tongue, usually clumsy with the korean language became more comfortable with saying longer words like “Jaesonghamneda” (A formal apology, used typically with adults). Slowly but surely I was finally getting used to this type of lifestyle.
After the trip and all the goodbyes were said, I began to reminisce on my little adventure. I then began to realize what it was that made a person who they were and what made me, me. It was how I identified as myself as a human being.  So to me, I learned that by embracing both my american and korean identity, no matter their differences, helped me become the person I am today.