From Korea to Illinois
Growing up overseas as a military brat, my family and cultural background played a significant role in shaping who I am today. I grew up with my immediate family as we traveled to different countries based on my father’s military assignment destinations, where he preferred to stay overseas for most of his time serving in the U.S. Air Force. He started his expedition in Korea, where he met my Korean native mother, got married, and had me! As newlyweds and new parents, it was the start of a journey as a family. We traveled from Korea to Panama, and Guam, where my two siblings were born. Then the 5 of us moved to Hawaii, then Japan, until it led us to our final destination Scott AFB, Illinois.
Most of my childhood was spent growing up in other countries where I was exposed to various cultures. I’m so grateful for this experience because it really instilled the value of diversity in me from a young age. Each destination was short-lived due to our frequent military reassignments, but it taught me resilience with adapting to change, meeting new people, and the importance of perseverance. I also must mention the discipline and structure I’ve learned from my parents and the military lifestyle; I can thank them and my experience as it conditioned my work ethics.
However, life is not without its challenges. Moving to the States during my late teenage years was one of the most significant experiences that tested my resilience. I’ve been able to adapt, make new friends, and grow in my environment in the past, but this experience was different. I left Japan towards the end of my Junior year of high school. Coming from a solid social foundation of friends, sports, clubs, and community events, to now leave it all and to start anew was a culture shock for me. Then, also, to find that our final destination, our forever home, will be in a place where the population is predominantly white. Mind you, I came from a place full of diversity, where the majority of the students looked like me, multicultural. Moving to the States in my final year of high school, I felt like I needed to rediscover my identity.
Yet, these experiences taught me invaluable lessons. All of this has influenced my perspective on life and made me the person I am today. Throughout my life, I’ve grown a great sense of adaptability and resilience, while having a deep appreciation for diversity and the ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and embrace change with an open mind. Ultimately, my background taught me so much about rediscovering and reaffirming my identity, while strengthening my self-awareness and my personal growth. I now have the skills and perspectives needed to confidently and gracefully navigate life.
I love to share my unique story and give my audience a preview of my upbringing. The purpose is to let you in on who I am and how I became the person I am today based on my background. I've learned so many valuable lessons that are strained into my core, especially now as a life coach. I’m naturally a positive being, but my goal is to help others with personal growth and self-discovery, to adapt to change with resilience, and to celebrate diversity. I create the space for those to feel welcome, respected, and heard. Thanks for listening.