Sometimes life can seem like a chapter book. You look back and can see definitive moments that can be divided into situations that shaped and molded you to this point: the most current entry in the story. The chapter of my time in Korea as a student has come to a close, but the new chapter in this story begins.
I haven't posted until now because I kept my return home a secret. I told my family I would return January 7th only to surprise them Christmas Eve. I was able to arrange to take my finals early so that I could spend Christmas with my family and visit my relatives. I have returned from all those side journeys to reunite with family, so I can put up this final post.
My last week in Korea was overwhelming: between final exams and goodbyes, it was an emotional roller coaster. I finished exams on Thursday the 22nd, which was also my Birthday. It was hard to believe that I would be leaving SCH after three semesters. It was emotional to say goodbye to my teachers and office staff who I grew very close to over the course of 16 months. It was also difficult to say goodbye to my friends, both those I would leave behind in Korea and those that would be returning to their home countries. I have come to live by the philosophy of never saying "goodbye" but only "see you later." I have confidence that I will see my friends again, the question is where in the world will we meet? I then finished packing and took a bus to Seoul to celebrate with my Korean family. We had a joint birthday for me and Jinyoung, my Korean cousin who is also a Christmas baby. We each marked a significant milestone with her turning 12 and I turning 21. Pretty cool reverse age concept! We had a lovely dinner and cake followed by a see you later to Uncle Josh, Imo, Jinyoung, and Eujin.
The next day was my last full day in Korea. I went to Insadong with Kyunghye to finish my Christmas shopping and to walk the streets of markets that have drawn shoppers for hundreds of years in Seoul. After we returned home, I spent time with the Byeon family, first eating piles of Samgyeopsal and then playing games until the early hours of the 24th.
December 24th was filled with last minute packing followed by a series of Mission Risk games with Kyunghye and Seungyoung. My flight was at 8pm, so we departed for the airport around 4pm. It was very strange after 16 months of living in Korea to leave, not knowing when and under what situation I would return. Driving out of Seoul, one of the largest cities in the world, a bustling metropolis that constantly awes and fascinates me, was difficult. More difficult was coming to terms with the fact that I was leaving Korea and the Byeons.
Once we arrived at the airport, I checked in and said my final see you laters. 20 hours later, I walked into my home in St Louis, Missouri. I believe the word shocked would be an understatement to the reaction of my family!
So, what's next? Where do I go from here? Well, I will continue my studies in the USA as I begin the final semesters of my college education. I'm not sure where this next chapter will lead, but I'm confident it will be as fascinating as the last.
I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to have this experience. In my 16 months abroad, I studied all about Korea: language, history, modern business, and politics. I have also met incredible people from around the world, lived with Korean students and a Korean family. I have traveled to five new countries, not including the border between the two Korea's, one of the most fascinating moments of my time here. I interned with a Korean company, taught English, the list goes on. I will cherish every moment of my experience abroad as an open eyed, curious student. I am excited to see where this next chapter leads!
