Whitney CP-2

Conservation seemed to run much more smoothly than our first meeting—maybe it was the vanilla rooibos tea at Starbucks—Jongouk was definitely more relaxed. He showed me his hometown via Google maps, and went on to talk about the current construction of a new factory (in the middle of a bay, according to the map—but that will need to be updated since they have filled it in). Below is a picture I found of Gunsan, Jongouk's hometown:

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_8_2_5.jsp

I also learned that he was in the Korean air force for two years—which is required of every Korean male over 18 years old (they have until they’re 30 to fulfill this duty). So, even though he has completed his first 2 years of college, he is 22. He left to come here after he had only been home from service for 3 weeks—which upset his friends, who were unable to visit him at the base all that time.

Now that he is here, he told me he wishes he could stay, instead of going back to Korea in January as planned. The university here is much more relaxed, he noted, pointing out the students playing outside on Landis. In Korea, he said, students are not as active, especially the girls—at least, from what he’s observed.

We could have gone on longer, and I was sorry I had filled my evening and had to leave. Next week, however, that will not be the case, and I can't wait to see where it will go.