Seoul, South Korea

Last week, I took a group of high school students to a competition called Far East Journalism. It was a busy, challenging week, but also one filled with learning and discovery. Some of my students competed on yearbook teams, others in newspaper, and each day I was coaching a different group as we ventured into the heart of Seoul. Their task was to explore and capture the culture, to tell stories about the people they met and the experiences that shaped them.

As you may know from previous posts, cities have never been my favorite places, especially large ones in Asia. I love the charm of European cities with old architecture and preserved history. Asian cities, though, often feel too modern, crowded, and focused on consumerism. Seoul didn’t seem much different from Tokyo, though I did notice that people there were a bit less friendly than those I’ve encountered in Japan.

Despite my feelings about the city, I found the trip rewarding. The time we spent at the hotel was valuable, both for the students and for me. As the yearbook advisor this year, I was able to sit in on sessions with industry professionals and learn so much about theme development, design, and storytelling. I loved seeing my students take what they learned and start to think more deeply about how to tell meaningful stories through images and words.

Being out in the city every day with a group of teenagers was definitely stressful at times. There were moments when I felt stretched thin, trying to keep everyone safe, on time, and focused, but in the end, it all went smoothly. It was a successful week that offered students valuable learning experiences and opportunities to grow as journalists and storytellers.