[2025 하계] 청년 2차 - '천예나' 참가자 수기(미국 거주)

 

As a Korean American girl from Los Angeles, joining the OKFriends Youth Camp in Korea was both exciting and intimidating. I had always wanted to connect more deeply with my heritage, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. My Korean skills were limited to basic conversations with my grandparents and ordering food at restaurants. So, when I arrived and realized that most of the other campers spoke fluent Korean, I immediately felt out of place. The first couple of days were the hardest. Everyone was kind, but I often felt like I was lagging behind in group discussions or missing out on inside jokes. Even though the staff spoke some English and tried to include everyone, I still felt a little isolated at times. I kept asking myself if I had made the wrong choice in coming. Things changed when we started our group video project. Our assignment was to create a short film that showed a theme of identity and belonging. At first, I worried that the language barrier would keep me from contributing. But when I shared my idea of telling the story through a mix of English and Korean narration — showing how many of us straddle two cultures — my teammates were genuinely excited. It was the first time I felt like my perspective mattered. From that point on, something clicked. I started picking up more Korean phrases, and my group made the effort to speak slowly and explain things when I didn’t understand. I took on the role of scriptwriter and editor, blending English and Korean narration and subtitles to make our message accessible for everyone. Working side by side on filming and editing, I bonded with my teammates in ways that went beyond language. By the end of camp, I didn’t just gain a few new words — I gained confidence, pride in my Korean identity, and friends from around the world. OKFriends Youth Camp pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. I left not only more connected to my roots but also more aware of how diversity within the Korean diaspora can be a strength. If you’re a Korean youth living overseas and unsure whether to join — do it. You’ll find a piece of yourself here that you didn’t know you were missing.

 

※ 본 소감문은 참가자의 소감문을 그대로 작성한 것입니다.