Michelle Kwan talks about her experience during her visit to an English institute for children in southern Seoul, Tuesday. |
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Before Korea's figure skating sensation Kim Yu-na emerged on the scene, there was Michelle Kwan. The American graced the ice with her superb skills and artistic expressions for over a decade.
The young Korean still cites Kwan as her lifetime role model.
Kwan has had an illustrious career - five world championships, nine U.S. championship and two Olympic medals. Every time she won, she brought pride and joy to millions of Chinese-Americans in particular and Asian-Americans in general.
Although Kwan has not officially declared her retirement from the sport, she appears to be moving on to a new role, which is no less inspiring than her professional skating achievements.
She has been appointed the Public Diplomacy Envoy by the U.S. Department of State to promote and forge ties between the U.S. and other countries.
Kwan is also working on a master's degree at Tufts University in international relations and politics.
Her new job brought her to Korea for a six-day trip which started Sunday. Although the news media's coverage of her visit has been dominated by her thoughts on Kim Yu-na - with Kwan speaking glowingly of the new champion - she has been focused on her new mission.
"I am happy and proud to be Chinese-American. I was able to learn from both cultures as I grew up; I spoke Cantonese at home and English at school. I have grown up to love more about my heritage as well as gain a new perspective about things new," Kwan said in an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday.
"It helps me become more open in learning new things - it shows when I travel around the world."
Kwan's open-mindedness, coupled with her background as a top figure skater, has worked magic, even on children.
Kwan visited students at the English Premier Banpo Center in southern Seoul, Tuesday. The "queen of figure skating" captivated 50 children with her stories on overcoming the obstacles of injuries, which haunted her for more than half a decade, as well as slumps and frustration.
When the children talked about their stories, Kwan transformed into a good listener and offered enthusiastic responses.
"I had to juggle between studying and skating. But I have always managed to squeeze in time for reading and other hobbies," she said.
To Kwan, life is meant to be lived to the fullest by not settling for anything less than your given potential. If she sticks to this mentality, she'll do just fine in her new role.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
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