Yoonkyoung returns to campus this fall after a year and a half in Paris, where her passion for art first began. Looking back, she shared what the journey meant to her.

Q. Has your love of art always been that strong?

A. Yes. I’ve always loved any form of artwork created by someone. When I found pieces I loved, I had to experience them fully: I reread books until the covers wore out, rewatched films until I memorized every line, and visited museums weekly with anyone I could drag along. At some point, I wondered if this kind of passion was unusual. That curiosity led me to pursue Creative Writing.

Q. What was it like transitioning from someone who appreciates art to someone who creates it?

A. It’s a little embarrassing to say, but I hadn’t re- ally thought of myself as someone who could create art, not just admire it. Writing required me to find my own inspiration and create something new, which came with pressure. The more classes I took, the more ambitious I became. I genuinely wanted to create better work. But there were times I felt I was falling behind despite my efforts. During one of those moments, my professor gave me advice I’ll never forget: “Don’t be a farmer growing the same crops every year, but be a sailor who sets off for distant seas.” At the time, those words didn’t resonate much with me. But when I saw Paris on the exchange program list, I applied right away.

Q. How was actually living in Paris different from your first visit as a tourist?

A. This time, I wasn’t just passing through. I was living there, experiencing the works I had always dreamed of. I rowed hard, like my professor said, to become that sailor.

Adapting to an unfamiliar environment without protective barriers wasn’t easy. Loneliness and isolation inevitably followed. But it was also incredibly rewarding. I discovered a world I never would have known otherwise. Being alone made me realize how many people had been supporting me all along, which in turn taught me gratitude. Nothing came easily, but those challenges helped me grow stronger.

Q. Do you think overseas experience is essential for career success?

A. I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary or particularly special. Whether in Korea or abroad, challenges are everywhere. Living abroad isn’t a shortcut or an escape. It’s just one way among many to expand abilities during our four university years. I chose to go because I wanted to learn a new language and actually see what I had only seen in books and videos.

Q. So how should students approach the idea of studying abroad?

A. It’s ultimately each person’s choice, not a necessity. It’s okay to feel pressure or personal desire about going abroad because everyone else is doing it. But in the end, it’s each person’s choice to judge what they need in their life. There’s no reason to be the same as others, and no reason to be different, either.

Q. If you could go back, what would you tell your past self?

A. I’d want to tell myself that it’s okay to be anxious and scared, just don’t give up on what you’re doing now. There were moments I wanted to quit, whether due to visa issues, housing problems, academic pressure, or language barriers. But I didn’t give up in the end, and now I realize I accomplished more than I thought.

To anyone considering this path, I’d say: just hold on. The version of you in a year or two will be stronger and more capable than you can imagine now.

Q. How do you view your future now, especially looking back your whole journey?

A. I used to feel endless pressure that I was already too late for something. But now, I no longer doubt or worry about myself. It was time I could grow and reflect, and it made me want to return to the roots of why I started writing in the first place. I still question if I’m talented enough, or if I should’ve stayed as just someone who enjoys art. But I’m no longer afraid. I’ll face whatever comes, and there will be another path at the end. After all, life is unpredictable – and that’s exactly what makes it worth living.

Reporter

Jieun Park

pk325382@g.seoultech.ac.kr

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