A North Korean refugee learns about Harvard

North Korean refugee Han Song-mi, center, poses with Casey Lartigue of Freedom Speakers International, left, and Park Jin, second from left, foreign minister, at the Harvard Club of Korea's annual alumni dinner on Dec. 1, 2019. To Han's left are Park Jae-Joon of Yonsei University College of Medicine, and Park Young-sun of Hackers English Institute. Courtesy of Casey Lartigue.

By Han Song-mi

I attended elementary school for only one year when I was growing up in North Korea. My life was unstable in North Korea as I moved from home to home, my mom and I were homeless for a while, and I was usually starving and in poverty.

My mom escaped to South Korea then later rescued me from North Korea. I struggled with adjusting to life in South Korea. I even contemplated suicide at one point. As I was going through that dark time, I was trying to find something to save myself.

I tried several things, including re-starting learning English. In late 2019, a friend told me about an organization named Freedom Speakers International. I was so amazed as I watched the videos and read articles about the organization. It seemed to be a dream come true for a North Korean refugee like me who can't afford private tutoring.

I learned that the co-founder was an American named Casey Lartigue Jr. I contacted him to ask about applying to the organization as a student. He directed me to the online application process. A few weeks later, I met with him and FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo. Was there really an organization that focused on helping North Korean refugees learn English? I told them a little about my struggles, that I was trying to find something meaningful.

After my second visit, Casey and Lee Eun-koo had talked about me. Casey invited me to the most wonderful event. The Harvard Club of Korea held its annual alumni dinner at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul. I felt like I was dreaming the whole night.

I wanted to understand everything being said, but my English was so poor. Even when I understood, I was too nervous and shy to speak. My eyes shone with happiness as I smiled the whole night, unable to hide my feelings. It was an elegant night. We had a fancy dinner. Educated and professional people were drinking nice wine and talking about many things, much of which I couldn't understand.

I met Park Jin, a member of South Korea's National Assembly who greeted me. He was so nice. Later, I saw in the news that he had become South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I can't believe that such a high-ranking person in the South Korean government knows who I am.

The most exciting moment of the night was when they had a quiz about Harvard University's history. When the announcer asked a few of the questions, Casey pointed at me, trying to get the announcer's attention. Then, it happened! The announcer pointed at me. I stood up, excited as a person brought the microphone over to me. Casey whispered to me, "Just say 'eight.'" I had been shy all night, but not at that moment. Very loudly and proudly, I said, "Eight!"

The announcer said I was right, and I won co?ee from a Harvard alumni! I was in a room with Harvard professors and alumni, and I was the person with the right answer! The right answer was "eight." Eight what, I didn't know. Casey later told me that "eight" was the number of Harvard graduates who had become president of the United States. Casey could have won the co?ee, but instead he told me the answer so I could win. It was an amazing night.

Later that night, I sent the photos to my mom. "Mom, I went to this event. It is really special."

She asked, "Why is it special?"

"I met Harvard professors."

She also got excited as she heard more details. Her daughter who didn't study or read a book for years when she was in North Korea was in the same room with Harvard alumni as a special guest. Mom said to me, "I think you are a lucky girl to have met Harvard professors. I am so grateful Casey took you there." Mom is always worried about me. After we reconciled in South Korea, our relationship got even stronger than before. It was a wonderful moment. I was a daughter telling her mom about a special night.

I didn't know anything about Harvard University when I was in North Korea. Before I went to the dinner, I searched online to learn more about it. I was so excited as I told mom about Harvard University as if she also had never heard of it.

Mom asked, "Are you crazy? You didn't know about Harvard?"

"Mom," I said. "I had never heard about Harvard when I was in North Korea. I had to work to survive. I feel so lucky."

I sent the photos to a long-time friend who is like an aunt to me. She also posted the photos on her social media. She was so proud that I had gone to a Harvard University event.

I was still going to have a lot of trouble over the next few months and year, and had struggled so much for several years, but that night was a bright spot. When I was on the subway going home, I couldn't stop smiling.

I later told Casey more about the problems I had been going through. He was disappointed that I had not told him earlier. He said that I should have told him sooner, and that he would help me organize my life.

At the end of 2019, I was looking for something to save myself. I am now in a different place in my life, as an author, speaker, people from around the world have contacted me, and I have numerous organizations inviting me to participate in their activities.

I will never forget going to that Harvard Alumni Dinner as a special guest. I will soon have a Part 2 to my Harvard story.

Next week I will be visiting the U.S to give speeches in Nashville (TN), New York City (NY) and Cambridge (MA) for the U.S. release of my memoir, Greenlight to Freedom. My trip to the U.S. will end with a visit to Harvard University. Casey will be giving a speech at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I will be joining him, and I will have a chance to speak at Harvard University.

Oct. 3 is a special day in my life. On Oct. 3, 2011, I was released from South Korea's re-education center for North Korean refugees and became a citizen of South Korea. I will be celebrating my freedom day this year speaking at a famous university I never heard of when I was in North Korea.

Han Song-mi is co-author with Casey Lartigue of the book Greenlight to Freedom: A North Korean Daughter's Search for Her Mother and Herself. She is a Keynote Speaker with Freedom Speakers International and was the winner of the organization's 16th English Speech Contest on Aug. 27.