The Songgok Journal, Fr Are No Useless Experiences or Learning”

After that, I took a chance to do an internship program working for Disney World in Orlando, the US. It was a fantastic experience. Not to mention learning English, I made friends with people from various countries, and I could build up my career in the tourism field.

However, after about a couple of months, the whole world was struck by an outbreak of COVID-19. So, I had to return to Korea because Disney World shut down and terminated the interns. However, I was supposed to work there for approximately six months. I still remember the moment I got a paper saying I must go back to my country and cried with my colleagues in the break room, ha-ha. Looking back, I would say it was worth it despite the crazy situations that I had to deal with.

since I could gain work experience and learn how to navigate my path.

Finally, thanks to what I had experienced at the travel platform company, I got a job at a law firm in Chicago, the US (AGAIN, haha) after deep contemplation and many tries. That’s why I’m enjoying my waiting time for my visa. That’s an intern position, but the best part is that the company would love to offer me a green card if I want. And I like it! I should be a hard worker to get the opportunity, though at least I can try. So that’s pretty much it! Wow, it was a long story. I would never mean to write this long. I feel like I became Park Chan-ho and a boomer, but I’m not. Please don’t get me wrong.

Hi, I’m Chang Yeon-joo, a graduate of 2017. I can’t believe it’s been five years since I graduated from Songgok Tourism High School. I am genuinely sorry to hear this will be the last edition of Freedom Writers English Newspaper, and its circle ended up closing. This news broke my heart. Back in high school, Freedom Writers saved me in various ways, academically and emotionally. When I tried to figure out my way to get into a college, I could benefit from the experiences and outcomes. Also, the friends, teacher, and our cozy club room were such a shelter when I got bullied by some teachers just because I wanted to go to a college, not get a job. That was just a lot to take in for a young high school student. Of course, it helped my English to improve a lot.

Anyways, I’m going to talk about the journey I had taken after graduating from high school and how I’m doing these days. Luckily, I got into Kyunghee University and majored in tourism management after graduating, which was all I ever wanted at that moment. My major and the fact that I went into English and western culture led me to participate in my college’s international program - going to the US for a month. Ever since that experience, I have fallen in love with the country. I’m not sure what aspects specifically I liked, but the thing I would articulate was that I’m dying to go back.

Now I have the experience to work at Disney at least once in my entire life, which is a vast corporation everyone is eager to join. I made lifelong friends in every continent who could share beautiful memories hanging out at the theme parks that I would never lose interest in. All the experiences gave me the certainty to return to the US again. Some universities, including mine, ran this program. Still, as far as I know, it’s no longer operated since Disney World has ceased the program due to the pandemic.

Therefore, after coming back to Korea, I entered a travel platform company as an intern of the CS operation team, and I did it for nine months. Sometimes I think returning to Korea might be a blessing in disguise

By the way, this writing reminds me of the speech contest I participated in back in high school. I picked Steve Jobs’ speech at Harvard University, and its theme was ‘Connecting the Dots.’ He said there are no useless experiences or learning. All we must do is connect them and develop them. I did it with an empty soul only to win the award back then, and however, now I agree with him 100%. I’m trying to say that I’m here because I’ve been through all the things that have happened in my life, including Freedom Writers. So, I will keep recalling the memories I’ve had with Freedom Writers. It will stay alive just like an albatross :) (For your information, teacher Lee once made an English club named Albatross for all students. And Mr. Lee, don’t be mad I brought it up again ><)

Chang Yeon-joo