The Love of Family

This week, I met my little cousin and his family at a large department store in Seoul. We ate dinner and shopped for clothes. Although this activity may seem very simple and ordinary, I treasured every second of it.

During my time at Yonsei University, I often forget about my extended family in Seoul. It’s easy to get lost in the new environment. I spend lots of time hanging out with my friends from the study abroad program and exploring different parts of the city. However, I came to South Korea with the intention of spending more time with my family. I wanted to make up for the time I lost with them while living in the United States, but this hasn’t been easy. We are both busy with our lives, and time passes very quickly. As a result, the small moments I spend with them mean a lot to me.

I love hanging out with my cousin and his family. Kyung Bin is fourteen years old now (and taller than me), but I still see him as a little kid. He isn’t like other boys his age. He’s very outgoing and talks well with others, especially people older than him. Although we don’t see each other often, Kyung Bin treats me like a brother. We talk about almost everything—sports, school, food, work, etc. He truly feels like the little brother I never had. My aunt and uncle also treat me well. They make sure I am having fun and feeling comfortable whenever we go out. I appreciate this part of them. It reminds me of my own parents who I miss more and more each day. I know it’s hard to accommodate for another person, so I will make sure to thank them for their hospitality in the future.

My time abroad has made me understand the love of family. After my aunt moved to Arkansas, I grew up with little to no contact with extended family. It’s something that I rarely. experienced as a kid. My time in Korea has been different, however. My family members are everywhere, and I can count on them at all times. I came to South Korea for these moments.