By Junga Cho

Yoon Young (Right) is pointing at her brother Joon Chul jumping to catch the frisbee. Photo by Junga Cho

“My acne cleared up after I came here. I guess it’s because I feel less stressed than I was in Korea as well as the air is clean and fresh in Carrboro.”

Yoon Young Hwang, a 15-year-old girl from South Korea, enjoys her new life in Carrboro.

Yoon Young’s family came to America and settled down at Auton Woods apartments in Carrboro in March when her father, Joo Sung Hwang, became a visiting scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Yoon Young graduated from McDougle Middle School this summer and became a 9th-grader at Chapel Hill High School. She is satisfied that the high school provides various opportunities for students.

“There is not only a large selection of activity programs, a variety of class materials, but also a diversity of national background,” she said smiling.

Yoon Young got to know American friends during her physical education class and began to hang out with them.

“While playing football or volleyball, we usually cheer each other. I’ve been able to make many friends during these activities,” Yoon Young said.

A few weeks ago, Yoon Young played girls’ soccer for the first time in the class.

“It’s really uncommon for girls to play soccer in Korea. But once I learned how to play soccer, that’s so exciting. I can’t wait until next season!”

Schools in Korea tend to focus on studying and exams rather than other activities, she said. There is huge pressure on young children and big competition between classmates due to the Korean education system.

“I will definitely change this system when I become an adult in the future,” Yoon Young noted.

Her brother Joon Chul Hwang, a 7th grader at McDougle Middle School, runs cross country races. Cross country is not a popular sport in Korea or one in which students can easily get involved. It was a special experience for him to be on the team.

“I lost 11 pounds during the last cross country season, which is good for me,” he said.

He was also impressed that most participants applauded him even when he was the last in the race. His mother, Tae Hee Suh, added, “They’ve learned how to enjoy sports rather than how to compete and win.”

Joon Chul recalled the very beginning of his adjustment to Carrboro. “I came here only with A, B, C. I couldn’t make any English sentences at first.” He started to read English comic books and kept watching cartoons on TV. At the same time he was taking English as a Second Language courses. Classmates also tried to help him.

“Teachers and friends are really kind and they often compliment me.”

And he likes the natural surroundings around his house in Carrboro.

“I often come across squirrels, rabbits and even deer in the backyard or on the road, which I’ve never imagined in the city.”

For these siblings, a new life in Carrboro has been a worthwhile experience.

“There is a lot of freedom and liberty in the class. I have nothing to worry about,” Yoon Young said. “No pressure!”

Still, they feel like something has been missing.

“I keep in touch with my friends in Korea,” Yoon Young said. “I sometimes call them and say that I miss them so much.”

“But it’s worth living abroad, especially for my career in the future.” She wants to be a Secretary General of the United Nations like Ki Moon Ban, who will succeed current Secretary General Kofi Annan in January. “That’s why I’m learning English now.”

Her big dream is slowly growing in the small nest of Carrboro.