BACKGROUND
The interviewee has requested that their story not be shared on social media.
TRANSCRIPT
TRANSCRIBED BY Teja Greene (x 3)
What do you remember from your first few days in the United States when you arrived? Can you share what it felt like and what your first impressions were?
Yeah, my first few days was back when I was in fourth grade. I came here with my mom. I felt— I was very anxious and nervous, but also really excited at the same time to explore a new culture, go to a new school, move into a new house. But since my dad was back in Korea, I was also really sad.
What did you do during your first week?
I remember going to Target and buying school supplies. Also helping my mom move in, buying furniture, or home supplies. Also, going to a Korean church with my mom and my brother, and meeting some people in our neighborhood and just settling down.
That sounds really exciting. Was there anything you ate that was brand new to you?
I think I remember In-and-Out; it was pretty. Because I think in Korea, I only ate Korean food. But coming to the States, everything was burgers and fries, and everything was salty. I did eat it in Korea, but I think just the portion wise, it was super big, but also cheap at the same time. But it was also very salty. So I think that was a pretty brand-new thing.
I'm sure there's a lot of differences between the States and Korea. What were some of the biggest cultural differences or cultural similarities that you noticed?
I think one biggest difference is, here in the States, people have their own boundaries, that it is harder to step in. I think back in Korea, since everyone's pretty similar, we grew up in the same neighborhood, we knew each other, it was easier to step in that boundary. Or maybe it was a subconscious thing that I knew I was different from other white kids in my school. But I knew that there was an invisible wall between me and the other kids. And they had their own boundaries. I just remember my friends coming over to our house. I guess one big thing is they don't take off their shoes when they go into their house. Just really small things. They don't share food when we're eating dinner together. They all order individual things.
It must have been really difficult to adjust to the new culture. Is there a specific memory that you're surprised you remember? Is there anything that makes you smile, or laugh or cry when you think about it?
I remember when my dad came to the States. He came over the summer. And then I— it's been like a year I saw him, but he finally came. We had dinner all together. I showed him around the neighborhood. And I think it was just a really special memory for seeing him since a long time.
That sounds wonderful. Is there anything else you'd like to share about your first days?
I think for me, it was easier for me to adjust to a completely different environment culture because I was young, and I wasn't too self conscious about me being different, because I did go to a very white private school when I was in fourth grade. But if, I think, if I went to the States when I was a bit older, and I was more self conscious, I think I would have had a hard time adjusting to that. But, I think I tried my best to fit in and I think I really enjoyed the time. So it was a mixture of going through hard times, but also having fun at the same time.
Thank you so much. That was really insightful. Good luck with the rest of your endeavors in the States.
Thank you.
