Returning Home: A Meaningful Two-Week Journey to Korea

Returning Home: A Meaningful Two-Week Journey to Korea

After a two-week visit to Korea, I returned home with a heart full of memories, gratitude, and reflection. This trip was not only a journey to my homeland but also a time to honor my late mother, reconnect with family, and rediscover the beauty of where I come from.

Returning Home: A Meaningful Two-Week Journey to Korea. I recently returned to the United States after spending two weeks in Korea. Although I am still struggling with jet lag and the lingering fatigue that often follows international travel, it was a deeply meaningful and rewarding visit.
This trip was different from any other.
It had been about five months since my mother passed away, and this was my first time returning to Korea since then. I had visited countless times throughout my life, but this journey carried a different emotional weight. The familiar streets, sounds, and scents were all there, yet everything felt slightly changed.
Perhaps it was because I had changed.
One of the most important reasons for this visit was to pay respects to my mother. Together with my family, I visited her resting place and spent time remembering her life. Standing there, surrounded by loved ones, I found myself reflecting on the many memories we shared.
Living in the United States often keeps me busy enough to push grief into the background. There are classes to teach, students to mentor, and responsibilities to manage. Yet standing quietly at my mother's gravesite reminded me that grief never truly disappears—it simply changes shape over time.
While there was sadness, there was also peace.
Instead of focusing solely on loss, I found myself feeling grateful. Grateful for the years we had together, grateful for the values she passed on to me, and grateful that I was able to return and honor her memory alongside my family.
Spending time with family was another gift of this trip.
Most of the year, our conversations happen through phone calls and text messages. Being able to sit together, share meals, laugh, and tell stories face-to-face reminded me how precious those ordinary moments truly are. As life becomes busier and years pass more quickly, I have come to appreciate family time more than ever before.
I also had the opportunity to revisit many places that hold special meaning for me.
Walking through the heart of Seoul, I was struck once again by the unique balance between Korea's rich history and its modern energy. Towering office buildings stand beside centuries-old gates and palaces. Ancient traditions continue to exist alongside some of the world's most advanced technology.
On rainy mornings, I wandered through downtown streets watching buses flow through the city. I visited historic landmarks and admired the beauty of traditional Korean architecture. The stone walls, painted eaves, and elegant courtyards seemed to tell stories that have endured for hundreds of years.
One of the highlights was returning to the royal palaces.

Seeing visitors dressed in hanbok walking through the palace grounds brought a sense of pride and nostalgia. The intricate patterns of the dancheong paintings, the carefully crafted wooden structures, and the quiet dignity of the palace halls reminded me of the beauty of Korean heritage.
I also spent time visiting temples nestled among lush green hills.
Colorful lanterns hung overhead while stone pathways led through peaceful gardens and traditional buildings. Away from the noise of the city, these places offered moments of reflection and stillness. They reminded me of the importance of slowing down and appreciating the present moment.
Another memorable stop was one of Korea's famous modern bookstores.
Rows upon rows of books stretched toward the ceiling while visitors explored, read, and gathered with friends. I was reminded that despite Korea's rapid growth and modernization, there remains a strong appreciation for culture, learning, and creativity.

Throughout the trip, I found myself constantly moving between past and present.
Some moments brought back childhood memories. Others highlighted how much life has changed. Yet no matter how many years I spend abroad, Korea remains my home in a way that is difficult to describe.
Home is more than a location on a map.
It is the collection of memories, relationships, sounds, and experiences that shape who we are. It is the place where our stories begin.
For me, Korea will always be that place.
Now that I am back in the United States, life quickly returns to its normal rhythm. There are classes to teach, projects to finish, and daily responsibilities waiting for me. Yet I carry something valuable home from this journey.

I return with gratitude.
Gratitude for family.
Gratitude for memories.
Gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect with my roots.
Most importantly, I return with a renewed appreciation for the people who have shaped my life, especially my mother.
I still miss her every day.
But this visit reminded me that although people leave us, the love they give us never truly disappears. It continues to guide us, encourage us, and live on through the lives we lead.
​
As I move forward, I hope to honor her memory by living with kindness, purpose, and gratitude—qualities she taught me through her example.
Sometimes returning home is not simply about visiting a place.
Sometimes it is about rediscovering who you are.
And for that reason, this journey will remain one of the most meaningful trips I have ever taken.