An exchange to a country that is culturally, financially, and socially different from your own can shape and reshape your cultural identity. Jae-Hoon Kim (22) took that step last year by joining an exchange program through Dankook University in South Korea, spending a semester in Geneva, Switzerland. There, his European adventure began, filled with visits to small towns in France, new friendships, and meaningful personal growth.
The transition between two cultures
' I'm half Korean and half Japanese, but I was born and raised in South Korea. Until now, I had only spent time in those two countries and had never gone beyond Japan or South Korea. My whole life took place in South Korea, and I can honestly say that my school years were completely focused on studying hard. This is considered normal in Korean social culture, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve started to realize how much I held on to false promises.'
'In elementary and high school, I always had to work hard, believing that this was the only path to success. I can hardly remember moments when I truly thought about myself or my own desires. This shaped me into an introverted person, something I was at peace with. Expressing my emotions has never been easy, and I particularly notice this now that I’m back in South Korea, reflecting on my exchange experience.'
'I feel a certain pressure when my friends in South Korea ask me about my time in Switzerland. In Korean culture, being different stands out, and before I went to Switzerland, I considered anything different from myself as something unfamiliar, maybe even threatening. My time there changed my perspective on the world, but it was definitely not always smooth sailing.'
No battery and a jetlag
'I landed in Switzerland, where my exchange adventure for a semester would begin. It was my first time outside of South Korea and Japan, and I was looking forward to this new chapter and the experiences I would take home with me. My first few minutes in Switzerland started with a problem: my phone had no battery. I couldn’t call anyone, and asking passersby for help felt impossible. I didn’t speak a word of French. I was in Geneva, a city where French is the main language, while in other parts of Switzerland, German is spoken. A language I didn’t learn during my stay.'
'While being exhausted, I took a taxi from the airport to the house where I would be staying. Once I was inside and closed the door behind me, a wave of emotions hit me. A suffocating feeling of loneliness and uncertainty overwhelmed me. Suddenly, all I wanted was to go back home, to South Korea. I didn’t know where to find a supermarket to buy food, so I stayed isolated in my room for three days. The jetlag made everything harder; the time difference completely messed up my rhythm. I literally felt lost in Geneva. After a few days, I decided to go outside despite my fear and uncertainty. I would walk around without knowing where I was going. It was a good way to see the neighborhood and meet people.'
Learning languages is understanding cultures.
'I speak four languages: Korean, English, French, and a little bit of Japanese. I learned French in Switzerland, and learning to speak French taught me more than just the language. At one point, I realized that I was starting to understand French culture. I could see how the French and Swiss people enjoyed life. This made me open up to more cultures, so I often traveled during this exchange program. I think it's important to learn the language of the country you're visiting. I often try to learn simple phrases so I can communicate while I'm there. When I was in France, many friends said that the French could be rude, especially to tourists. My experience was different. By trying to respect their culture, I didn't have any negative experiences. I communicated here and there in French, which helped me improve my language skills. In this way, I also gained more insight into French culture. I've been to Rome, London, Pisa, Lyon, Milan, and Paris. Lyon was one of my favorite places to visit.'
'I see the change in myself and my behavior. I feel that I have changed in a positive way and that I am now more extroverted. I have gotten to know myself as a person, something that was different in South Korea. The exchange program has greatly changed my perspective on Korean culture. Now that I am back in South Korea and look at my old life and how I used to live, I can no longer view my life in the same way as before the exchange. My friends here still live the way they did before, while so much has changed for me. And maybe that life is good enough for them, but for me, it wasn’t.'
'Besides the personal changes, I have also become aware of cultural differences. I’ve realized that in Korean culture, we are different in positive ways. We place great value on personal space and respect for one another. For example, we don’t hurt each other in public places like squares in busy cities or in stores. I also don’t have to worry about someone robbing me on the street here. Additionally, we have a clean lifestyle, which makes life more pleasant.'
'Actually, my exchange program was only supposed to last one semester'
One special moment
'It was that evening that I decided to stay longer in Switzerland. By then, I had a boyfriend, and I met him in Geneva. We now have a long-distance relationship, and that's why I plan to return to Switzerland after my studies. Actually, my exchange program was only supposed to last one semester, about six months. Once I had a relationship with him, I knew I would miss him a lot when I returned to my life in Seoul.'
'There was one moment that sealed my decision: a date in my room. He works at a hotel in the city and often came to see me late at night, around midnight, after his shift. One evening, we had a cozy date at my place, and afterward, we went up to the roof to look at the stars. We had deep conversations about the meaning of life and our future. That night, I was certain: I wanted to extend my exchange program and stay for the second semester in Switzerland. I did that, and that’s how I was able to stay in Switzerland longer.'
Shaping my cultural identity
'Getting to know other cultures and incorporating them into my identity is something I want to do more often, to enrich myself with the diverse cultures of our world. Now that I’ve done this exchange program, I’ve learned that I am perfect just the way I am. In the past, I always tried to adhere to the norms and values of Korean culture. Now, I know that I am enough and even special. I even kept a kind of journal with a purpose, to read back my progress later, so that when I’m older, I can look back and be proud of myself for having done this.'
'That's why I also recommend others to travel, join an exchange program, or even take the step to live on the other side of the world. It teaches you so much more about yourself and the world than you could ever imagine. Now that I'm back in Seoul, I see how the multicultural society is thriving more and more. It feels good to notice that the world is becoming more open and that people are becoming increasingly curious about each other's cultures.'
