As some of you may know, I am half Korean. I’ve lived about half my life in Korea, and the other half here in Victoria. Whenever someone asks me where I preferred living I would always way that I preferred living in Korea. However, it was only until the end of September this year when I actually started thinking about how different my lifestyles were based on the time of the year.
When I live in Korea for the summer, I have almost no limits. I can walk around the city by myself, I can hang out with my friends and walk to places with them at 3 am. I would never be able to do that here and feel like I was safe. I am also Closer to my mom’s side of the family and I only see them when I’m in Korea.
Another reason I prefer living in Korea is because of how convenient everything is. There are small shops, cafés, and restaurants everywhere, and the subway is super easy to use. When I live in Korea, I often go to the convenience store in my apartment complex. There, I can easily buy many things that I need.
Here in Victoria, things feel a lot quieter and more spread out. I have to plan everything ahead, and I can’t just suddenly go somewhere with my friends. I do like how peaceful it is here, but sometimes it feels a bit too calm. In Korea, even simple things like hanging out with friends or walking around at night feel exciting and full of energy.
Still, living in both places has made me appreciate different parts of each culture. Korea feels fast-paced and connected, while Victoria feels relaxed and open. I think having both experiences has helped me see the world in a unique way.