Alu mni
Remembering
A Day in the Life… at SFS By Adyna Gavin Class of 2006
“SFS is more than a school: it plays an integral role as the backdrop to my memories in Seoul. And even though the faces have changed, the spirit remains the same—a place of learning, of friendships, of moments that shape who we become.”
S
tepping onto the campus of Seoul Foreign School after nearly two decades felt like opening a longforgotten book, one where the pages still held the faint scent of my teenage years. The pathways were familiar, yet the buildings had changed, reflecting an integral component to the passage of time. As I walked up the hill toward the original guard hut, memories rushed in. I could feel the weight of a backpack bouncing with each step, hear the echoes of hurried conversations before class, and sense anticipation (or resignation) of another school day. All the hallmarks of high school were still there, just with a new generation experiencing them. The new high school building stood across the field, replacing my memories with something modern and fresh. While it represents the school’s evolution, it doesn’t hold the same memories for me. My SFS was in the walls of a different building, in the stairwells and classrooms, in the corners and halls. And yet, standing there in the new common area, I realized that while the physical space may have changed, the feeling in the air remained.
The same energy of students was unmistakably present and remarkably the same as in 2004. Walking into the theater was like stepping directly into a time capsule. The scent of the stage, the familiar hush before a performance, the thrill of looking out at the audience—it all came rushing back. I could see flashes of my past self: reciting lines, rehearsing with fellow students, feeling the rush just before the curtains rose. It was a space where creativity, friendship, and a little bit of stage fright intertwined. Standing there again, I could almost hear the echoes of past performances still lingering in the air.
me for the remainder of my time in Korea. SFS is more than a school: it plays an integral role as the backdrop to my memories in Seoul. And even though the faces have changed, the spirit remains the same—a place of learning, of friendships, of moments that shape who we become. To the students walking these halls today, cherish it. The days may feel long, the assignments endless, but one day, you’ll find yourself walking these halls again, heart full of memories, realizing just how much this place meant to you. And to my fellow alumni, don’t forget to look back once in a while and reminisce on a day in your life at SFS.
Life has taken my classmates in different directions. But for a moment, standing on that familiar ground, I could still hear our voices echoing across the field, still feel the weight of friendships that shaped my teenage years. Leaving the campus that day, I felt a deep sense of nostalgia that stayed with
Adyna (Willis) Gavin ’06 attended SFS for Grades 9 and 10 (2002-2004), after moving to Seoul from Singapore. She later transferred to China to complete high school, then went on to attend Smith College. She now lives in Minnesota with her husband and four children. While at SFS, Adyna was active in the theater program, performing in the then-newly built Lyso Center—now known as the Edie J. Moon Theatre— and was also a member of the swim team. We had the chance to reconnect with Adyna during her visit to campus in February 2025. In this article, she reflects on what brought her back to SFS, the memories that resurfaced as she walked around the campus, and what being part of the SFS alumni community means to her. (Left) Adyna during her High School play Random Acts. (Top) Adyna with the 2004 High School Swim Team.
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The BANNER | Alumni