Jayden Lee is a 14-year-old middle school student living in Seoul, South Korea. He lived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for four years due to his father’s work and returned to Korea in 2023. During his time abroad, Jayden attended a British international school where he made friends from diverse backgrounds, including many Vietnamese students. Because English was the main language spoken at school and with his friends, he became more comfortable communicating in English than in Korean. Now back in Korea, Jayden reflects on adjusting to a new academic system and reconnecting with his cultural roots.
Can you introduce yourself and tell me where you currently live? What do you do?
Jayden: My name is Jayden Lee. I am 14 years old and I live in Seoul. Right now I go to a Korean public middle school. I used to live in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, for four years and went to a British international school there. It was a good time for me because I made a lot of friends from different countries, especially Vietnamese friends. We all spoke English, so I felt much more natural using English than Korean back then.
This photo was when I was young in my Grandma’s house in Korea!
How would you describe your daily life compared to your experience in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam?
Jayden: In Vietnam, the school days were shorter and I had more time to hang out or play football after class. Everything felt more relaxed. Here in Korea, school ends later and then there is extra study like 학원 (hagwon). I do not get as much time to play sports or just rest. Once I had freedom, and now, I have a full schedule! The whole routine is more intense here. Also, in Vietnam I was really used to speaking English all the time, even with my close friends. Coming back, I had to quickly adjust to using Korean more often, which was not easy.
And this photo was when I was in Vietnam!
How has your experience with education differed in Korea versus the British system in Vietnam?
Jayden: In Vietnam, we did a lot of group projects and open discussions. Teachers encouraged us to ask questions and share ideas. I enjoyed that a lot. But in Korea, it is more focused on memorizing and doing well on tests. I had to get used to that because it is a totally different way of learning. At first, I had trouble keeping up, especially with subjects taught in Korean. I had to work harder just to follow along.
How have you adjusted socially and emotionally since moving back
Jayden: Honestly, it was difficult at first. I was worried because I was not confident in my Korean and I did not know if I would fit in. But I joined the school football team and that helped me a lot. Playing sports made it easier to connect with people even if my Korean was not perfect. I also started making friends by just being myself and slowly got more comfortable. It still feels different from Vietnam, but now I feel like I belong more.
Jayden’s interview gives insight into the life of a returnee student trying to adjust after spending several years abroad. He talks about the big transition from his relaxed, international school life in Vietnam to the more demanding school environment in Korea. From language differences to academic pressure, the adjustment has not been easy. However, through sports and a willingness to step outside his comfort zone, Jayden has found ways to reconnect with Korea. His story shows how returning to one’s home country can feel just as challenging as moving away and that personal growth often comes through everyday moments of effort and connection.
Humans of Korea 