When Words Are Not Enough

When Words Are Not Enough

By Elisabeth ‘Suds’ Sudbey, 1st Year ETA

Left to right: Enjoying samgyeopsal at my first hoesik (dinner with coworkers); taking a break during a post-lunch walk with the gwahak seonsaengnim (science teacher); exploring the downtown stores and sijiang (traditional market); passing the iconic Andong bus mascot on the way to the mart; sightseeing at Bongjeongsa, a Buddhist temple visited by Queen Elizabeth; and sharing kimbap on a bench before a hike at Dosan Seowon, a 16th century Confucian academy.

This collection features moments spent with people that comprise my Andong community, the city I’m placed in. These six memories in particular remind me of my journey towards improving my Korean language skills.

As a Korean adoptee, I grew up speaking English not Korean, celebrating Thanksgiving instead of Chuseok, and eating chicken fingers rather than tteokkboki. It is through the people I have met in Andong that I have been able to improve my Korean, a goal of mine since the beginning of this year. It is through language that I have been able to befriend local mart workers, ask a teacher about their trip to Mongolia over summer vacation, and insist on paying for coffee after someone bought me dinner. This is one of many six-panel pieces that I have created while living in Korea that represent the connections I have made. Similar to how we reminisce while looking at photos, when I see these drawings I am immediately drawn back to the memories from that day. Each one represents a different person who showed me great kindness and helped me improve my Korean speaking skills in those first few months living alone in Andong. 

I have been documenting my trips in various journals since I was seven years old and first went to Disney World. Each day, I would meticulously record all of the details from the day, sometimes even walking while writing to make sure I did not forget anything. I continued this 18-year-long tradition while in Korea; however, I chose to create a journal with art instead of words. Although I have not drawn a picture each day, I have captured many core memories while living in Korea using art. My visual journal represents the beauty of being back in my home country and the emotions evoked when words are not enough.

[Featured Image by Elisabeth ‘Suds’ Sudbey]