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Kim Yeon-su (left) and Moon Jong-hyo (right) stand in front of Sofia University, the most prestigious institution of higher learning in Bulgaria.
By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Diana Trifonova from Bulgaria
Photos = Diana Trifonova
Kim Yeon-su and Moon Jong-hyo are two Korean students who met while serving their mandatory military service in Korea. What connected them was their shared experience in living abroad for a long time with their parents before returning to Korea. They both experienced difficulty in readapting to the Korean lifestyle after spending many years abroad.
Recognizing the need to help others facing these challenges, both men decided to go to Bulgaria to meet the children of the small ethnic Korean community there to share their knowhow on living in today’s Korea as a young person.
On the idea to start this program, Kim said, "We were foreign students in different countries – he in China and me in Ecuador. We felt it necessary to support Korean children living in different countries since they especially miss things and their relatives in Korea. So we sought to support them with Korean gifts and snacks by bringing them to their country. This is why we’re here."
Kim Yeon-su and Moon Jong-hyo meet children of ethnic Koreans in Bulgaria.
"When I was growing in China, we ate a lot of Chinese food but back in Korea, there's a lot of kimchi and I cannot eat spicy food. But every time I meet up or hang out with my friends, they always eat spicy food and I can’t handle that. That's a big problem for me,” Moon said.
"And Koreans are focused on clothes and fashion. For me, I have no idea or experience about this and this is one example of a cultural difference I've experienced."
In their meeting with the children of the small ethnic Korean community in Bulgaria, the two men shared useful tips about applying to Korean universities, preparing documents and understanding contemporary Korean culture. Focus was placed also on useful tips about mandatory military service for male students.
Kim and Moon also said one thing that impressed them about Bulgaria and made them choose the country for their project was the tiny size of the ethnic Korean community. With fewer than 30 Korean students in Bulgaria, they said they saw the need to support and encourage them.
wisdom117@korea.kr
*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.
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