Tiphanie Fuentes, '16- Harvard Summer School in Seoul Program-Summer 2013

When I set out on my plane bound for Korea, I have to say that I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. My arrival at Incheon International airport first had me bumbling about in awe over the modernity of my destination before leaving me frantic over trying to find my ride to where I would be staying for the next eight weeks. It was after all this, on the calm shuttle ride to the campus of Ewha Woman’s University that I figured my time in Korea would marked by contrasts similar to that surrounding my arrival. And indeed, the experiences I had frequently wound up contrasting in with one another, aiding me in realizing where I needed to work in order to become truly immersed in Korea, its people’s culture and, more importantly, their way of life. There were instances of this marking more obvious problems; like going from comfortably speaking in English to my Korean hosts, to awkwardly trying to ask a shopkeeper for the price of something. There were also more surprising ones like successfully ordering a meal in a sit-down restaurant, but not knowing that it was my job to get my own water. But it was most definitely contrasts like these that came up during my time in Korea that helped to elicit the great love for the country that I developed over the summer. Of course, that’s not to mention the amazing people, interesting coursework, and multitude of other things I had the great fortune to interact with and just be around in general. Still, such contrasts were a constant reminder that, in a foreign country, there would always be something new for me to learn, adapt to, and appreciate as part of my own life. It was something that constantly excited me the entire time I was in Korea. 

Some of the most striking contrasts I was able to experience in Korea were actually those involving the cities I visited themselves however. While I spent the majority of time in Seoul, there were a number of instances in which I was able to get away from the modern life and advanced technology that the capital offered. In fact, during one of the very first weeks of the program, some of the Korean students organized a small trip to the Gangwon province. There I was able to get my first up close and personal look at Korea’s mountains and help make Korean barbeque—outside of a restaurant! Though while this little taste of life outside of Seoul was something I wholly enjoyed, it just cannot compare to what I was able to experience during the week-long excursion through the southern part of Korea for the program’s film course. During this week, I was able to go to the cities of Gwangju, Yeosu, and Jeonju, as well as Geumo Island. Geumo Island was probably my favorite place by far, and not only because we had to take a ferry to get there. On the ferry, my group for the program’s film class conducted an interview. It’s funny to look back at our footage though and see how our interview videos were so much shorter in length than the ones we took of the scenery! If anything though, I’m glad that were able to capture the beauty of the place we were. I am still struck by how the close the sky appeared to be to us the entire time we were there. I swear that, if I had tried, I really would have been able to pull a cloud right out of there!

More than places however, my time in Korea was made into something truly incredible as a result of the people I was able to meet. I don’t know if this year the program just happened to full of the most exceptional and kind-hearted people in the planet, but I know for a fact that everyone was. I know now that coming into this new school year, I not only have a number of new close friends on Harvard’s campus, but in other parts of the country and the world as well. I would try to recount all of the good times I had with all of the people in this program, but even one instance would be much longer than one or two pages. It is because of the people I met that I went to all of the places I did, saw all of the things I did, and felt so strongly about it all. Being with everyone truly made me realize the truth in time flying while having fun. I think the eight weeks went by too quickly for everyone there. But after having cried terribly when each of the US students or Chinese students left as well as when my own departure came, I know that I’ll be twice as happy as I was sad when I’m able to see all of them again. I only hope that our plans for organizing a meet up with everyone again pans out really soon! Even if it doesn’t, I know that I’ll be able to see all of my new friends living in Korea again, because I fully intend to go back!

However, my new future plans to return to Korea are not simply for the purpose of visiting all of the amazing friends I was able to make there. Those friends I made who happened to be interns also heightened my awareness of potential job opportunities that could be waiting for me in Korea. I also frequently spoke with a number of the Korean students in my summer program about attending graduate schools in the country. So, somewhat needless to say, my summer in Korea prompted me to think a lot more about my life after Harvard and just what it is I want to do. And although I still think that I have a bit more time before I really need to start thinking seriously about all of that, I’m grateful I’ve gotten something of a start on it. I really cannot thank Harvard, Ewha, the OCS and the Korea Institute for all working to give me the opportunity for a summer abroad in the first place. And of course, I am incredibly grateful for the funding I received from the Min Young-Chul Memorial Fund and via the David Rockefeller International Experience Grant from the OCS. Thanks for an amazing summer!