Diane is currently in grade 12, attending Chadwick International School in Songdo City in Korea. I have attended the British International School with a 13-year schooling, and she came back to Korea and attends Chadwick International School.
Would you please introduce yourself?
This is me and my brother inside the Eiffel Tower in 2016!
Diane: Hello, my name is Diane, and a senior at Chadwick International School. I lived in Hong Kong for 2 years, and in grade 7 semester 2, I came back to Korea to attend Chadwick International.
How was your life in Hong Kong different from your life in Korea?
Diane: As a Korean, language was definitely a major difference. Hong Kong’s Chinese, Cantonese in particular, was a bit challenging. However, since English was also an official language, I didn’t have any major difficulties getting by. However, the fact that Cantonese, rather than Standard Chinese, was used was the biggest difference, and it clearly showed the differences in my surroundings.
How about the atmosphere of the school in Hong Kong and Korea? Was it different or similar?
Diane: In Hong Kong, I attended Discovery Bay International School in an island called Discovery Bay. Here, there weren’t a lot of academic competition; stress among my peers; and there were many rules to follow, especially the requirement to wear the proper uniform. On the other hand, after coming to Korea, while there’s still academic competition and stress with my friends, the pressure seems to have eased somewhat. Furthermore, compared to when I attended school in Hong Kong, there were fewer rules, and Chadwick, in particular, didn’t have a uniform, so I felt a significant difference in those areas.
Then, what kinds of things have changed in your life after you had the experience of living abroad?
Diane: I would say my English skills, especially in communication skills. It’s not that I can’t speak English, but I didn’t have much conversational experience. Usually I was way comfortable with Korean, so there were times when I didn’t get my point across well during communication. But now that I’ve lived abroad and interacted with various foreigners, I feel like I can communicate more smoothly and convey my intended meaning well.
Diane’s experiences reveal how living abroad can shape both language and perspective, offering lessons that extend beyond the classroom. From navigating Cantonese in daily life to adapting to the strict rules of a British International School, she learned resilience in the face of challenge. Returning to Korea, she found a different rhythm at Chadwick International, less rigid, yet still academically demanding, allowing her to grow in confidence and independence. Most importantly, her time abroad strengthened her communication skills and gave her the ability to connect across cultures with greater ease. Diane’s journey reminds us that the value of international experiences lies not only in academics, but also in the adaptability and openness they nurture, preparing students to thrive in diverse and changing environments.
Humans of Korea 