South Korea trip leader, John Lim, shares a final reflection of his time in Korea.
Up until June 1, I had not quite wrapped my head around the fact that I was going to South Korea. The whirlwind of term-end responsibilities, on top of packing up my apartment, occupied my thoughts until we all met up at JFK Airport. Not unlike the students, I could not really fathom what awaited us on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Of course, I knew that our agenda was scheduled for a diverse range of activities, prominently featuring the Deerfield alumni in Korea who are significant players in the country’s economic and cultural landscape. But our Google Docs agenda seemed like a pure abstraction until we got there and actually did the things.
Once the program kicked into high gear, it was clear that this trip was going to be an unforgettable experience. At the Liberty in North Korea visit, they learned about one person’s unique story as a North Korean refugee, helping them realize the urgency of this international. When we attended the Friends of Deerfield dinner, our students witnessed the strength of the Deerfield community, extending far beyond the Pioneer Valley. At Namhansanseong Fortress, as they hiked along the structure’s walls while holding onto a rope, they learned about the importance of communication and community while balancing the needs of their groupmates. This trip forced our students to think critically about their relationship to each other and their position in the world.
I am so proud of how enthusiastically these students dove into this experience, jet lag and language barriers be damned. The students made fast friends with each other, fearlessly exploring a city with so much to offer. They engaged sincerely with our Envoys leaders Jubitza and Bella, who pushed them to think expansively about leadership and oriented them in Korean culture. They listened intently to speakers and asked thoughtful questions at every site visit. Over the course of the trip, I watched these 14 students become more and more like the best version of themselves as Deerfield students: curious, earnest, and joyful.
Being a trip leader for the Korea trip has been a bittersweet way of ending my time at Deerfield. I found myself connecting deeply with students whom I will not see in the fall. But this trip has reminded me of the strength of Deerfield’s sense of community. I know our paths will cross soon. As our students learned, leadership is dependent on a strong understanding of one’s community, and Deerfield students have that in spades. I am excited to see how they will draw upon lessons from this trip as future leaders.
