On authenticity

Have ever wondered how authentic your life is? Especially when you feel like you are having some kind of special experience? For instance...you're a college student and you want to have a good and authentic "college experience," so you do everything you hear other people say they do, or you party all the time because that's what you thought college students do, or you study all the time because that's what college is all about, right? Well, maybe...

Before I came to Korea I thoroughly analyzed what I thought would make a good, balanced, and authentic experience here. It included going out to Korean clubs, hiking Korean hills, maybe finding some Korean clothes, going to lots of different places all around Korea, studying just enough and take time to relax, and being very outgoing so I could make many Korean friends.

Through all of my analyzing though, I sort of forgot one thing: coming to Korea wasn't going to change me. Guess what? It doesn't matter which side of the world I'm on - I don't like going to clubs. Hiking, well, that's always a good idea, but even half a world away from home I still only like going hiking alone or with a few select people. And Korean clothes? Well, let's just say my hips didn't turn Korean when I got here, so neither did my style. As for going lot's of different places in Korea, that one's still a winner! Relaxing always seems like a good idea, and it seems like it should be easy...but it's not easy for me. I study hard, then I sleep a little, and then I go on some epic and, for most people, unexpected adventure. Finally, being outgoing seems like a good way to make friends. Unless you're an introvert... Better to stick with the normal strategies of smiling at people and only talking when I have something to say - I've never had trouble finding international friends with that, for me, very natural strategy.

But if I'm just acting the same way I act at home, will my experience be authentic? Well, maybe...

But what is "authenticity"? Everyone in Korea is different, no one has the same life as anyone else, so how could I hope to live like "Koreans"? Yes, eating Korean food, and participating in traditions, visiting homes, and going to historical spots, drinking Soju, and going to the beach in Busan or the amusement parks in Seoul are all things that many Koreans do. Yes, it is good to step out of my comfort zone and do things I don't normally do, whether I'm in Korea or not. Yes, Korea is a WONDERFUL place to try new things, make new friends, and experience a new culture.

So far though, my favorite way to experience authentic Korea is just by living.

I experience Korea when they all stare at me on the Subway and when one goes out of their way to help me, knowing that I speak no Korean and they speak no English.
I experience Korea when I go shopping at giant outdoor markets and at sparkling malls.
I experience Korea when my hostel room is full of mosquitoes.
I experience Korea when I go to famous palaces and then I eat rice at least twice the same day.
I experience Korea when my friend's grandfather says "Good morning, how are you?" to me. (I am the first American he has ever met, and those are the only English words he knows - he practiced saying them just so he could talk to me.)
I experience Korea when I sit in my dorm room for 6 hours and study German, and then fall asleep with my head on my books.
I experience Korea when all the people around me are speaking in Korean and don't notice me.
I experience Korea when I go to church with my friend and introduce myself using the 2 phrases I know in Korean.
I experience Korea when they sing a special song for me telling me they are so happy I came.
I experience Korea when I quietly smile at my suitemate who is friendly and sweet but very shy.
I experience Korea when people take me out for chicken and beer and goofy pictures.
I experience Korea when my new friend calls me Nuna and gives me a tentative little side hug just to make sure it's not awkward.

It's not about how many places I go or how many people I meet, or even how many new experiences I have. It's about living. Me, living my life, aware of and participating in my surroundings, wherever I am. Authentic? Well, maybe... Natural? Absolutely. New? Definitely. Awesome? Extremely!