[Part 1] 138. Pensive state

Maybe it’s because I’m turning 24 in a few days’ time that has got me thinking about my life in the recent months. How much I’ve changed and matured mentally. I’ve been on exchange and I’ve been an exchange buddy for semesters on end. But here, I’ve been interacting with mainly non-Koreans, on the same program as me and it’s been pretty amazing seeing how the intercultural differences play out.
I guess 2 incidents yesterday triggered my pensive state today. The gloomy weather has a part to play too. But nevertheless, I think I’ve grown in the last few months :)

I used to take things for granted and only saw things my way. A few months back, I would never think that I was wrong but lately, I’ve realised that I’ve been wrong on so many instances but because of my pride, I could never bow down and say yes, I was wrong. I saw things from only my stance, my view.
But yesterday, I was the 3rd party observing 2 persons quarrel and I realised that the way they quarrelled was very like me. The faults in them, I saw in myself too and I never realised it till I was the observant, seeing myself in both of them. I’ve really learnt how to think from others’ perspectives and not be so quick to judge. Many a times, I have done that here. I can’t help it. It’s innate…I’ve always been like that. I’ve always observed minute details and am quick to judge and make assumptions about someone’s behaviour and thinking. But then, I have been proven wrong time and time again, about how wrong I was to judge someone so quick. But I have also realised how important it is to watch my behaviour and what others might perceive of me. Everyone here is regarded as an ambassador for his or her country.

I’m so glad that my scholarship board actually changed the system from my year onwards, putting us scholars together during our language study year so that we can interact with each other, as compared to previous batches who only knew those in the same graduate schools as them. In a few months’ time, I will have to bid farewell to my friends here, most of whom are going to different parts of Korea and different graduate schools for their masters and PhDs. But I have learnt so much from all of them, from different walks of life, backgrounds, visions and ideologies of the East and the West.
I have learnt to respect others better.

I have had quite a comfortable life thus far, thanks to my parents, and a rather smooth school life.
Here, I have friends who are sending part of their allowances back to their families every month when I’ve been spending more than my allowance.

This year, I will change for the better!