By Honorary Reporter Preeti Rawat from India

Photos =  Seoul Metropolitan Government, Titi Aiyanyo

Since 1958, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has granted honorary citizenship to expats in the capital. After the Korean War, most of the honorees were those who helped rebuild the war-torn city but today, the designation goes to expats making a positive impact on Korean society.

Last year's honorary citizenship ceremony was held on Dec. 9 at Seoul City Hall, and among the 18 awardees was Imatitikua "Titi" Aiyanyo from Nigeria. In a Jan. 4 audio interview, she expressed her delight in receiving the honor, saying, "I was excited to get this award. It made me realize that I'd been recognized for all the things I've been doing." 

She added that she could show her mother, who was in Korea at the time, the results of her work.

Moving to Korea in 2014 to pursue a master's degree through the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), Aiyanyo chose to stay in the country after graduation due to the opportunities the country offered.

"At first, I stayed in Korea because I enjoyed Korean culture and wanted to keep experiencing it," she said. "Korea is one of the top countries for technological advances so in my field, I felt it was advantageous for me to be here. Moreover, I came here in my early 20s so I'd already built a community here, so I was more comfortable."

She went on to complete a Ph.D. in computer science and now works as a research professor at Korea University in Seoul. She is also an Honorary Reporter for Korea.net and takes part in many programs like Global Seoul Mate of the Seoul Tourism Organization and K-Heritage.

Aiyanyo's first promotion of Korean culture was at the 2015 Seoul Kimchi Festival, saying it allowed her to connect with other expats interested in Korean culture. "I had so much fun that day that I posted about it on social media for my family and friends to show them that I made kimchi," she said. "I think that was my official beginning of promoting Korean culture in Korea."

She recalled as her most memorable moments in Korea promoting the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics and visiting Cheong Wa Dae (presidential compound) in 2019 as an Honorary Reporter. She also mentioned taking part in the annual Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) in Seoul and receiving an award as the best creator of content promoting Korea.

What sets Aiyanyo apart from other promoters of Korean culture is that her content is based on her experiences and understanding of other cultures. "When I promote Korean culture, I do it in a way that other people can relate to," she said.

Platforms such as Korean pop music, dramas, and comics and webtoons make Korean culture more relevant to the world, she added, and makes it easier for people like herself to share culturally relevant details.

In addition to promoting Korea, Aiyanyo works with North Korean laborers and teaches English to underprivileged children in Seoul. She also mentors GKS students, translates news and informs expats of opportunities in Korea. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched a news service to keep expats updated on the situation in Seoul and keep them safe.

Her voluntary activities led to Aiyanyo's nomination for Seoul honorary citizenship. She said she hopes to continue promoting Seoul and Korea by creating and participating in projects that help those in need, as well as build a community in which expats and Koreans can work together.

kalhong617@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.