On June 27, thirteen Kyrgyzstan Overseas Service Team members gathered at Incheon International Airport. The flight to Kyrgyzstan was very long – 14 hours, but I enjoyed the idea to do volunteer work there. The view of Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyzstan, was amazing. When I heard the story of nomadic peoples, I expected most of them to move on horseback. Bishkek was in harmony with nature and western culture, and the cows were grazing freely on the roadside. We stayed in a guesthouse run by Korean-Americans. At the guesthouse, we were introduced to a beverage named Kmus – fermented horse milk – a traditional Kyrgyz drink. I did not like it, but swallowed it because it was supposed to be healthy. We left the guesthouse to go to a volcano and then to a volunteer club, Karakol. Karakol offered a more natural and quiet environment than Bishkek. Soon after arriving at Cara Cole, we stayed at the volunteers’ office for two days, visited the university, and interviewed the president. During the volunteer service period, I learned about the history of Kyrgyzstan in the evening. I was amazed to discover the common history between Kyrgyzstan and Korea; General Ko Sunji fought in battle on Talas plains a long time ago.
On July 2, we started volunteering in Karakol in earnest. Most of the volunteer activities were held over three days in the auditorium of the National University of city. Karakol students were of all ages. On the first day, I greeted local students and explore the culture of Kyrgyzstan. Each group performed various missions, such as walking around the market, buying things, and shooting music videos in the park. On the second day, Korean language education was conducted. Following a basic Korean-language test, students were taught at various levels. I enjoyed making kimbap and eating together and making friends. The third day was the last educational service we provided focused on the Korean language. The group played a parody of a Korean drama, and the students and volunteers presented cultural performances they prepared for each other.
Team members and students enjoyed leisure activities such as playing soccer and going to a café after meeting every day. Two friends have been most impressed with the service team members – Joseph and Baja who helped the students and displayed excellent leadership. These were funny, but they helped me to keep the service team members and students happy and close at all times.
On the 4th and 5th day, Korean culture education was held in Dungan village. Some Karakol students also came with us to help out with the service team. Most of the villagers in Dungan were Muslim and wore traditional costumes, where the white color dominates. I took the time to greet the students of the Dungan village and organized the Korean cultural education booth. We carried traditional Korean play activities and made kimbap, such as rose blooms, topping, and kicking. On the 5th day, training was divided into five groups. Students engaged in k-pop choreography education and hanbok experience activities.
Before finishing volunteer activities and leaving for the airport in Bishkek, students shed some tears promising to keep in touch. It was a short time together, but we will remember for a long time. Kyrgyzstan, my first overseas experience and destination, left a deep impression not only on myself, but also on all service team members who became more mature and responsible.
When I volunteered I was most worried about whether I "could I help someone?" because I had never taught before. However, the students were very active and able to deliver a great service. It was me who had never been abroad, but through this overseas experience I felt an ordinary person, regardless of the border. There may be cultural differences in each country, but if you treat each other sincerely, you can be friends across borders. I want to grow further through various volunteer activities in the future.
