AnthroScope Korea

Living in Korea, my daily routine revolved around driving to and from my international school. I entered the single building that contained of all my classrooms. During recess, I would go to the gym’s basketball court to play some volleyball. It was a familiar rhythm within a small, confined space. 

Once I moved to the United States, this ordinary life changed drastically. I was exposed to a much larger and open campus with a separate admissions building, an athletic facility building with multiple basketball courts, weight rooms, and several school buildings. Being used to seeing a small campus with few buildings and facilities, I was startled to see myself living within such a massive campus.

Most of the international schools in Korea are considered to have large campuses when compared to local schools. However, versus American campuses, Korean international schools are significantly smaller; students who transitioned from international schools in Korea (like myself) to American boarding schools encounter a much broader physical space. The facilities, especially the dorms, are scattered across the grounds, and I’ve never imagined walking 10 minutes to get to the dining hall from class. On my way to different buildings, I see other kids from all over the globe — Asia, Europe, and Africa. I see new kids every day, which was unlikely to happen at my small Korean international school. 

I’m always amused and impressed when I get to my campus after 2 weeks of spending time in Korea on break. Although short, my breaks in Korea accustom me to merely seeing Koreans, barely spotting any people of other ethnicities. When I return to America, I see a campus that is filled with people of different backgrounds, cultures and traditions as well as a variety of cuisines in the dining hall. For me, exposure to such diversity meant exposure to unfamiliar cultures. Every time I return to campus, I’m reminded of my community’s cultural richness.

Sharing a room with a roommate also was one of many adjustments that I’ve had to make. In Korea, I have my own room that I return to every day after school. In my first year at boarding school as an eighth grader, I was paired with a friend who came from Mexico. She at times offered to share her clothes from local Mexican clothing brands and snacks she brought home. While reciprocating, I’ve learned to appreciate unfamiliar cultures and necessary selflessness when living in a community away from home. 

Going back to campus isn’t merely about getting back to school. It’s actually about expanding my understanding of diversity. It’s helped me get into a better rhythm of adapting to changes in settings while appreciating unfamiliar elements wherever I go.