In fact, Buddhist monks printed the oldest existing book made with movable metal type here in 청주시 (Cheongju-si) in 1377 C.E., or 76 years before Johannes Gutenberg printed the Gutenberg Bible! This book is called the 직지 (Jikji), which is short for 직지심체요절 (Jikji-shim-che-yo-jeol), or "Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests' Zen Teachings." To me, it’s nothing short of amazing that books led me here, to the home of one of the oldest books in the world.
Of course, when I first read books about Korea, I couldn’t have imagined everything that existed outside of the page, from trees bursting with 벚꽃 (beot-kkot), or cherry blossoms, to birthday parties with my host family, basketball games, palace visits and countless amazing, but spicy, meals! My favorite part of living abroad is that every day brings new opportunities to learn, from the bus stop where Korean 아줌마 (ajummas), or older women, hand me snacks to the yoga classroom where I struggle to recall vocabulary from 머리 (meori), 어깨 (eo-kkae), 무릎 (mu-reup), 발 (bal), or Korea’s version of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” If I hadn’t decided to come to Korea, I never would have had these opportunities.
What are your favorite things to learn? Sometimes, school may feel like a chore, but remember how far it can take you. When I was in third grade, South Korea felt like a world away, but here I am, 15 years later, living in a place I only ever imagined between the pages of a book. I received a Fulbright Scholarship to come here, but there are many other ways to go abroad, and I know that you can do it, too. Just remember to never stop learning. 안녕히 가세요 (annyeong-hi gaseyo), or go in peace, for now.
