My Highlight of 2020

Saying 2020 was tough would be the understatement of the year. Our high hopes and aspirations were soon put to a halt. Despite it all, Gwangju pulled through and the community did its best to make it a memorable year. While social distancing, the Language Exchange Program (LEP), a program of the Gwangju International Center since 2017, did manage to have some interesting conversations on Sunday mornings. One of the topics discussed was the highlights of 2020, aside from the elephant in the room – COVID-19. Here are the participants’ responses to their highlights of the year.

Zahra from England

Moving to Korea in the middle of a pandemic was not easy, but I have made so many amazing memories that it is hard to choose just one highlight for last year. Spending a week exploring the palaces and markets in Seoul, enjoying the Chuseok sunshine on Jeju Island, and visiting Jeonju’s Hanok Village are just a few of my highlights from 2020. Mostly, the best part of 2020 has been meeting so many new people, friends, co-teachers, colleagues, and students – and I cannot wait to see what 2021 has in store.

Woochan from Korea
After graduating from high school, I entered Chosun University’s Medical School last year. It is exciting to be able to study what I dreamed of since I was young. Now I am preparing every day to become a medical worker. I want to make an effort to become a good doctor.

Jun from Korea

I lived in Australia for a couple of years since 2018 and made a bunch of memories that I can never forget. I went to Cairns, which is located in the north of Queensland, with my friends. It was literally full of nature, particularly the Great Barrier Reef. Now that I have gotten back from Australia and am currently staying in Gwangju, I will try not to forget the sights and feelings I experienced.

Emmanuela from Indonesia

2020 was a roller coaster year for me! I was struggling with my master’s thesis in the first half of the year, graduated, and then had a chance to be an intern in the Gwangju International Internship Program in the second half of the year. My journey in Gwangju has truly begun!

David from Korea
My highlight of 2020 was staying at home for the longest time in my life and thereby gaining a little understanding of myself.

Nikki from the Philippines

My highlight of 2020 was attending two academic conferences related to my field of study. It was particularly challenging because I was part of the committee staff at one and presented my research at the other.

Grace from Korea
My highlight of 2020 is love. Last year, all my plans got screwed up, and I needed to fix them. But whenever I tried to do something, things did not go as well as I thought they would. I was quite stressed and it made me depressed. But what I feel proud of is that I tried to meet with my family as soon as possible. With them, I could feel the love of family more than before through this situation. It was a really warm and happy experience. Even though I had a hard time, I was able to smile and keep aiming for what I wanted. I hope I can travel abroad with my family next year.

Le from Vietnam

My best highlight in 2020 was hiking up Mudeung Mountain, which I never before thought I could reach the top of alone. Thanks to Gwangju Hikers, I was able to be immersed in the beauty of nature and relax after a week of work. Since then, I have been able to continue hiking with the group each month. If you are interested in hiking, please join us.

Inkyu from Korea
In January, when I was in New Zealand, I went skydiving. That was my first time not feel any stress. Falling from the sky was awesome – you wouldn’t believe it! My friend told me before skydiving, “It will make you high.” After skydiving, I was indeed really high, so if I get the chance, I will do it again.

Jana from Serbia

My highlight of 2020 was finishing my master’s thesis and graduating from Konkuk University’s Graduate School of Culture Contents and Communication. Writing the whole thesis in Korean was one of the biggest challenges of my life, so I would like to remember this difficult, virus-stricken year with that accomplishment in mind. Cheer up, everyone who might be in a similar situation at this time – you can do it! Also, another highlight that wrapped up the year 2020 was the invaluable experience of being part of the Gwangju International Internship Program at the GIC. Thank you, GIC!

Eunsuk from Korea

My highlight of 2020 was a meeting with my friends. We had been busy working, raising our kids, and supporting our families. Finally, we got together in Seoul last summer. We shared lots of our stories and promised to be at the same place to take a photo every year. We still have dreams and want to cheer each other on. Jayoung, Samok, Sunok, and Huisu, keep reaching for your dreams!

Lauren from Australia

As my first year living away from home, living abroad, and working a full-time job, last year was understandably full of many ups and downs. But, if I had to choose one moment to be the highlight of my year, I couldn’t. 2020 brought me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to experience so many new things, like writing a newspaper article, participating in language exchanges, going on a temple stay, and meeting so many amazing people from all around the world. The whole year was a highlight and will always be special to me because not only did I learn more about a country, culture, and language that I love, I also learned about myself.

Usop from Korea
My highlight of 2020 is that I got the job that I had been dreaming of. I would like to share my good fortune with people who are seeking a job. 2021 will be filled with happiness for everyone. Happy New Year!

Julena from the USA
The highlight of my 2020 would have to be the amount of personal growth and aspirations I was able to accomplish. Due to the lack of numerous distractions, I was able to start some of the things I had so long made excuses not to do in previous years. Last year served as a year of reflection and introspection for me, allowing me to scrutinize my life choices. I was able to see where I used to be, where I am now, and where I want to go later in life. 2020 was not a particularly eventful year, but it did allow me to take a chance on myself and my dreams, and I think for that I will always remember it as a special year for years to come.

Yongmin from Korea

Some bad things happened to me last year. My company is going to divide into two – a parent company and a subsidiary company in 2021 – and I will go to the subsidiary, which is worse than staying with the parent company. What is worse is that the subsidiary will not guarantee our employment. That is the biggest concern for all the subsidiary employees. We need to think about something to support our lives economically without help from our company – things such as investments in stock or real estate.

Hyunsoo from Korea
My highlight of 2020 was beginning a new job! I spent a year feeling excited and worried. I hope 2021 will be a year full of new and exciting things. Happy New Year, and I wish you all the best in everything you do!

Aline from Belgium

I thought I had reached my highlight in February when I got to see a temple in the snow, but the best was yet to come. I discovered a passion for photography and got recognized for it (thank you, Gwangju News!). I also started working for GFN Radio. Never had I dreamed of visiting a radio station, let alone walking into a recording studio! It was the start of a new adventure, and now it is a weekly event.

Jurang from Korea

A lot of things happened to me last year. I came back to Korea from lots of traveling, met nice people, and started to work as an English teacher. To be honest, however, it was the worst year in my life so far. But I strongly believe God has a reason for giving me a hard time, and I’m sure He has wonderful plans for me in the future.

LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
Every year different hosts bring new flavor to the Language Exchange’s weekly meetings. This year, Lee Woo Chan and Aline Verduyn are running the program on Sunday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the GIC Hall. With a hot cup of coffee, students from all over Gwangju and the world have group conversations in English and Korean. The topics of discussion are diverse, give insight into our respective cultures, and are announced ahead of time. The morning ends with a fun yet informative quiz and a group photo. The group is always well-balanced between Korean and international students, ranging from all levels of English and Korean proficiency. There is no obligation to come every week, people join as they can. The group is also very active on social media and keep in touch throughout the week as well. It is a welcoming group that is eager to answer any questions on English, Korean, or navigating through Gwangju. Newcomers are encouraged to join the group. Face-to-face meetings are expected to resume soon – COVID conditions permitting. Updates are announced on all the group’s social platforms. Facebook: GIC Language Exchange;

Instagram: @giclanguagexchange2021

Compiled by Aline Verduyn.