I have only been in Korea for four months, and my overall impression of the country
is a good one. It is a very modern, forward-moving place that may become a major
Asian city in the near future. As in every country, I have met nice people and
rude people, open-minded people and narrow-minded people. The struggle I face
as an outsider is distinguishing between rudeness and cultural difference. As
an American, I grew up in a place of open spaces. There were times when I was
miles away from the nearest person. I loved those times of 'aloneness',
especially at night when my only other friends were the cool wind and the bright
stars.
   Korea is a place full of people, and I expect nothing different on such a small
piece of land. However, sometimes the crowds wear on my nerves. It's at times
like these when I have to be careful not to misinterpret certain actions or attitudes
of the Korean people around me. For example, on the subway people very often sit
beside me for a few seconds, look at me then move to another seat. When I get
off the subway, the move back to the spot where I was sitting To me (and most
Westerners), this is very strange, and I am tempted to think it is because they
dislike me. But then I remember (or try to remember) to take into account curiosity
and fear. I think most Korean people are very shy and curious towards foreigners.
What I may mistake as rudeness or racism, is, in fact, just shyness and curiosity
combined. Of course, there are people in every country who are racist, but not
the majority.
   My second month here, I was punched by an old, drunk, Korean man because

he asked me if I was an American, and I foolishly said, 'yes'. The punch did
not hurt, but the emotional feeling of being hit for no reason other than the
country in which I was born hurt a lot. That incident tempted me to view all Koreans
through the bitterness of that one man, and I have to fight this temptation almost
every day. When people stare at me, I wonder if they are seething with hate towards
Americans (and me). I recognize the bitterness many people in Korea feel towards
the US, and I do not blame them. The American government has done more than its
fair share of horrible things in Korea. I am an American who strongly disagrees
with my government's position on many things, including the Iraqi war and most
other wars we've been involved in. I do not want to be seen as a supporter of
George Bush just because I am from America, but many people do not take the time
to really get to know what I think or believe. My skin (and yours) says nothing
about what I believe or how I think.
  I am looking forward to living in Korea for at least a few more years. I want
to understand the people and the culture of this beautiful country, and I want
Korean people to understand me. I want them to know that I respect them, their
beliefs, and their culture. I want them to know that I am an anti-American government
American. My experience so far has been good overall, and I know I will be a better
person in the long run for living here.

 

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