I AM KOREAN AMERICAN

Own Words

The statistics.

1: I speak one language fluently. And attempting Korean when I feel like it.

2: I had two Korean-American friends growing up but don’t keep up with them anymore.

3: I was adopted when I was 3 months old and have lived in Kentucky my entire life.

2 + 1: Bachelors in Organizational Communication and a Masters in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), as well as studied a semester at Inje University in Gimhae, South Korea through the IIIHR Program for Korean adoptees.

4: I have four older brothers and incredible parents. I. was. so. spoiled.

The story.

I have been on this life journey of adventure, pain, joy, perseverance, and excitement. I became a Christian when I was 17 years old, after struggling with chronic depression, suicidal thoughts, fighting to find a purpose, and a deep void of identity. I resented being Korean-American because it always seemed like I always had to choose which one I needed to be. All of the struggle and bitterness started to shed, one layer at a time, especially during my college years. I felt certain I was on the right path for the first time in my life, and was greatly involved in Chi Alpha campus ministries.

Throughout my years in college, I developed several passions including writing, photography, social justice issues, and a deeper love for music and the arts. Unfortunately, I was not able to exercise these very often, being in a small college town, and my life was insane, however I realized they were in me!

I went to Korea last semester and made some of my first Korean adoptee friends. I had the most meaningful, fulfilling, and hilarious time of my life!

The future.

My ultimate goal is to be a Christian missionary overseas. I have no idea what that looks like, but if it involved photography, serving, and living with the poor, then I will be fulfilled.

In the meantime, I will be returning to the homeland in February to teach English to high school students in Ilsan, right outside of Seoul. For the next year, you can call me teacher Katie (okay, don’t), but don’t ask me what I’ll be doing after February 2013…I have no idea.