By Bernard Rowan
In this time of a COVID-19 pandemic, I've tried to preserve my equilibrium by calling to mind my blessings. This experience teaches me anew that humanity tries but doesn't fully control nature. It shows me how precious and fragile is the bond of life. It teaches me also how our world has grown interdependent. It calls us to work as a family of nations. Kant spoke about this in "Perpetual Peace."
I dedicate this column to the people and nation of South Korea. I'm going to share several points that strike me as particular to my Korean experience that made a lasting impact on my self-understanding which made me happier.
First, professional and personal growth through learning. My teachers used to tell my mother, "Bernie's yet to emerge from his shell." My, my. It sounds condescending, but it was true. South Korea taught me to understand that my life matters because I dedicated it to learning. America and other nations value learning, but in South Korea, it's a national passion, not an add-on, and it's something families invest in "until it hurts," as they say. Professors aren't viewed as stepchildren to businesspeople or the military, and higher education matters. When I visited South Korea as a professor, I found respect, admiration, and friendship in what I'd learned and could share with others. Various publications arose from research about and in South Korea. Professionally as well as personally, it's meant a great deal for my career and its fulfillment.
Second, friendship through learning. My best friend and my best senior friends are Koreans, and I found them through learning, through higher education, and through international experiences of both. I made friends with a fellow student of my same age at the University of Chicago. My interest in visiting Korea arose from our friendship. It extended and enriched that period of my life, leading to much good for us both. I hadn't expected friendship with an older professor to arise from the times spent in South Korea. That it did, introduced me to the real life of Confucianism and networks of seniors and juniors in Korean society and culture. That I, a foreigner, found myself treated with respect and welcomed to much extent, gives me great pause.
Third, love of humanity through learning. I've found love in life in many ways, but especially through friendships with Koreans created by learning. International friendships revealed the face of a universal humanity. I can recall family members of my Korean friends treating and telling me I was part of their family. One told me I'm among the most positive people she ever met. I've also learned much of love from seeing places like Jeoldusan, Seodaemun Prison and the DMZ. Love may call on sacrifice for others as well as bringing happiness and life. Not all events of the American war on communism deserve praise. However, the alliance between South Korea and the United States does. May it continue to uphold the advance of democracy and freedom in our world
Finally, my experience of South Korea wasn't my first or only avenue to seeing the diversity of humanity. However, I can say that through its continuing and long-standing features, I found the courage to love another person and to make her the center of my life. Learning to appreciate the reality of differences between Asian cultures and my native culture of Nashville, Tennessee never would've happened had I not visited and grown to love South Korea.
I'm sure I'm not the only person to find earthly happiness and fulfillment in greater measure through the people and nation of South Korea. And I shan't be the last.
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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I dedicate this column to the people and nation of South Korea. I'm going to share several points that strike me as particular to my Korean experience that made a lasting impact on my self-understanding which made me happier.
First, professional and personal growth through learning. My teachers used to tell my mother, "Bernie's yet to emerge from his shell." My, my. It sounds condescending, but it was true. South Korea taught me to understand that my life matters because I dedicated it to learning. America and other nations value learning, but in South Korea, it's a national passion, not an add-on, and it's something families invest in "until it hurts," as they say. Professors aren't viewed as stepchildren to businesspeople or the military, and higher education matters. When I visited South Korea as a professor, I found respect, admiration, and friendship in what I'd learned and could share with others. Various publications arose from research about and in South Korea. Professionally as well as personally, it's meant a great deal for my career and its fulfillment.
Second, friendship through learning. My best friend and my best senior friends are Koreans, and I found them through learning, through higher education, and through international experiences of both. I made friends with a fellow student of my same age at the University of Chicago. My interest in visiting Korea arose from our friendship. It extended and enriched that period of my life, leading to much good for us both. I hadn't expected friendship with an older professor to arise from the times spent in South Korea. That it did, introduced me to the real life of Confucianism and networks of seniors and juniors in Korean society and culture. That I, a foreigner, found myself treated with respect and welcomed to much extent, gives me great pause.
Third, love of humanity through learning. I've found love in life in many ways, but especially through friendships with Koreans created by learning. International friendships revealed the face of a universal humanity. I can recall family members of my Korean friends treating and telling me I was part of their family. One told me I'm among the most positive people she ever met. I've also learned much of love from seeing places like Jeoldusan, Seodaemun Prison and the DMZ. Love may call on sacrifice for others as well as bringing happiness and life. Not all events of the American war on communism deserve praise. However, the alliance between South Korea and the United States does. May it continue to uphold the advance of democracy and freedom in our world
Finally, my experience of South Korea wasn't my first or only avenue to seeing the diversity of humanity. However, I can say that through its continuing and long-standing features, I found the courage to love another person and to make her the center of my life. Learning to appreciate the reality of differences between Asian cultures and my native culture of Nashville, Tennessee never would've happened had I not visited and grown to love South Korea.
I'm sure I'm not the only person to find earthly happiness and fulfillment in greater measure through the people and nation of South Korea. And I shan't be the last.
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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