It’s always hard to say goodbye, especially when for weeks, we have bonded, experienced, and shared so much with one another.
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to reflect on my experience and I came up with this unsurprising, yet notable conclusion: The language learning process may be challenging, but it is nonetheless nothing short of rewarding.
Our evident progress and linguistic abilities after 8 weeks were greatly thanks to a cumulation of celebrating each other’s highs and supporting our lows. While some of us may be used/prefer asynchronous models to language learning (a.k.a myself), I realized the apparentness and importance of community to our success, and I would not change this aspect of my experience for anything.
Later in the week, when the language pledge was lifted, hearing people communicate in English felt so strange. Some felt like completely different people. As a result, the excitement and curiosity in all of us were visibly off the charts, leading to many conversations during that time.
Some of us conversed deeper topics that maybe our Korean abilities didn’t allow us to earlier. Others started crafting their plans and shared advice with each other on how to maintain their level and continue improve their skills in the language. On my end, I took the opportunity to call some friends and family that I hadn’t heard from for some time. It was honestly an indescribable feeling to start speaking other languages at this rate again.
I also found the end-of-program party organized by the administration to be an amazing idea! Specifically because it gave me the opportunity to speak with professors and friends who were at the different language schools than me. I was ecstatic to share my experience with them and hear about theirs.
It was indeed a bittersweet feeling realizing that for many people, this would be their last time seeing each other; yet, as the Drew Chalker’s saying goes: “People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, with each phase bringing a unique lesson or presence.
My time at Middlebury Language School of Korean was a truly meaningful and unforgettable experience. I am now more than ever motivated to keep learning, live in the moment, and continue to make purposeful memories. I hope this blog inspires you to do the same.
Thank you very much for reading!
PS: This is a video that depicts my 24 hours/day in the life @ the Middlebury Language School of Korean this summer. Feel free to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQv_crfVGhg
I hope you had or will have a wonderful summer as well!