A Familiar Query
by Jessica B. Burstrem
jburstre@umich.edu
Room Number 202
"Why are you here?" I cannot tell you how many times I am asked that question every day - not that I am ever surprised. After all, what is a white woman who speaks no Korean and has no friends or family here doing in Korea? Granted, my baby cousin was adopted from Korea, and a good friend of mine since elementary school is Korean, and my freshman year roommate was Korean - but none of that actually relates to why I came. I had different reasons altogether.
First of all, living life to its fullest extent is both a fundamental priority and a primary goal for me. And the key to a rich and fulfilling life, in my opinion, lies in keeping one's perspective on the panoramic setting, so to speak. The wider the range of views of the world that one is able to see, the more of it that one can actually behold and appreciate. These ideas are my motivation to try to learn about as many different viewpoints and ways of seeing and doing things as possible in order to widen my own perspective, which probably explains why I have always enjoyed travel so much. It enables me to learn about cultures that are different from mine and to discover alternate points of view, thus enriching my appreciation and enjoyment of life.
Galvanized by that reasoning, I decided that I wanted to travel to someplace totally different this summer. I have already been to Europe four times, and as I speak both French and Spanish I could do it again on my own someday. However, I do not know any Asian languages, so I could never have even survived in this country without the safety net of the university ensuring that I have a place to go and people to assist me whenever I need it - a situation that is only available to me right now, while I am a college student. I have no reason to expect another such ideal opportunity to present itself to me in my lifetime. That makes this experience inimitable.
Wonderfully, my stay here has already far surpassed my expectations. It has been so different in so many ways from everywhere I have ever been before. I have met Americans, Asians, Europeans, and more - people with origins so diverse that they span five continents. I have felt the distinct climate, tasted new foods, and noticed cultural variations in everything from the manner in which the people greet each other to the way they walk down the street. I have learned a lot about Koreans and their lifestyles in the weeks that I have lived here, and while I realize that I can never truly understand them, I have been able to expand my own perspective through recognition of their points of view. I have also learned a lot about myself.
I also came to Korea seeking a respite from the daily responsibilities of my life back home. I paid all of my bills in advance and tried to take care of all other foreseeable obligations as well before I left so that I would not have to even think about them while I was here. This freed me to reflect on my life, to consider all that I might want to do with it and how I really want it to be. I have discovered in myself more courage than I ever knew that I had. I have seen that I need to make God a central part of my life again. I must remain flexible and keep my options open for the next few years so that I can do anything that I wish to do after I finish my education. I love Korea, and I fully intend to return someday. This time to myself has meant so much to me. I feel motivated, enthusiastic, and capable.
As reasons go, mine are relatively unique, which is probably why they have sparked so much interest. It has never surprised me when I have been asked that now-familiar question: "Why are you here?" It has never irritated or angered me either. In fact, I am proud to share with everyone my personal distinctive answers and the way in which they have already enriched my life. My time in Korea has far exceeded my expectations. I have accomplished everything that I came here to do.
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(C) 2000 Jessica B. Burstrem