Letter from the Minister Counselor for Public Affairs
Dear Readers, Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the spring issue of the 8th volume of Infusion magazine. Capturing your insights and experiences in Infusion is a wonderful way for admirers and newcomers to the ETA program to know better just how important a role you have played in promoting mutual understanding between Korea and the U.S. The ETA program was launched in 1992, during my first posting to Korea (1988-1993). I was thrilled by the creativity of the program and the dynamism of the participants whom I met. After having met many of you last year at the ETA gala, I am so happy to be able to say the same thing. You are truly building new bridges between American and the Land of the Morning Calm, whether you are ‘urban pioneers’ in Sejong City, island explorers on Jeju, or anywhere between! With your passion for communication and your commitment to telling America’s story in Korea, I can easily envision you as leaders in the career paths you choose to take. Fighting! Cordially, Robert W. Ogburn Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs Member of the KAEC Board
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Readers, I am pleased to introduce Volume 8, Issue 2 of The Fulbright Korea Infusion. The Infusion staff has once again, through its hard work and dedication, put together a professional magazine that highlights the talents of its contributors. From the fantastic photographs curated by the photo editors to the layout that thematically links each piece, their many hours of work are clearly present on each page. For over eight years, Infusion has showcased the experiences of American Fulbright grantees and alumni as they have reflected on their time in Korea. More than simply a magazine, Infusion provides a time capsule for the grant year in which it is published. The pieces – which range from biographical to scholarly, funny to introspective – provide readers with a glimpse into the lives of its writers as they uncover new elements of South Korea in the classroom, in their research, and, most important of all, in the daily people-to-people interactions upon which the Fulbright Program was founded. As we come to the close of another successful year, I invite you to look to these pages as a testament to both the unique perspectives of our grantees and alumni and the dynamic nature of the Fulbright Program. I believe that it is on account of these strengths that the Fulbright Program will continue to play an important role in Korea for years to come. Sincerely, Jai Ok Shim Executive Director Korean-American Educational Commission
Foreword: Volume 8, Issue 2
Written by Josephine Reece, Editor-In-Chief 2014-’15 In this issue of Infusion our authors draw attention to moments of transition and revision. As foreigners living, working and teaching in Korea we are constantly faced with situations that require us to reevaluate our perspectives. Mostly these situations are exciting. Yet, with all the little and large things that life throws at us, we all have moments when excitement gives way to exhaustion or annoyance, until something happens which surprises us into joy and compassion again. This cycle of ups and downs is incredibly common when adjusting to a new place — so common that people who study culture shock have names for the various stages: honeymoon, disintegration, independence. These stages don’t just happen once, but repeat themselves throughout time in a foreign country. As such it can be difficult to find a still place from which to take a step back and see where we have been. But during this time of constant movement — ups and downs and interruptions — the one thing we rely on is each other. Our friends are there for us when our schools change the schedule unexpectedly and also when we manage to get tickets to the sold out Kpop concert. They give us a lens through which to view our history, showing us where and who we have been. Knowing that someone has had the same experiences of hilarity, annoyance, and joy lets us appreciate and understand our own experiences more, even the terrible ones. This year our Fulbright family was touched by the sudden loss of two members — Morrow Willis and Jim McFadden. They are remembered by their friends through the experiences they shared together, many of which they documented in past volumes of Infusion. Even though those memories are now touched with sadness they can still bring great joy to the people who knew Morrow and Jim. The authors in this issue navigate through everything from stereotypes to city streets. As they explore Korea they give themselves and their subjects the liberty to be in transition — imperfect, uninhibited. It is the same freedom we give and hope to find among our closest friends and family. Family can be frustrating, infuriating, but in the end they are always our biggest supporters. Whether long-distance or near at hand, our friend and family relationships grow with us through the grant year and our authors explore their changing relationships alongside their changing views of Korea. As you turn the pages of this issue, I hope these pieces will challenge you to appreciate the times of change in your own life as well as the relationships which keep you whole. Please enjoy Infusion Volume 8, Issue 2.