Hailey Delia Jose ’26 shares her experience studying in South Korea as a recipient of the Don Reid Sogang University Scholarship. Learn about the program »

“You’re good at using chopsticks,” Gary says to me as my hands shake nervously, wondering what question to ask next, while also being mesmerized by the plate in front of me.

As I sit across from Oscar-nominated producer Gary Byung-Seok Kam, I am both nervous and grateful – anxious to share a meal with someone whose work I deeply admire, and thankful for the opportunity. My heart races, but I take a deep breath and remind myself: Hailey, this is a blessing. There’s no need to be nervous; just enjoy the moment.

I try a bite of my food and ask Gary if there is a proper way to eat it. He smiles, his demeanor warm and relaxed, and says, “No, go ahead and eat. Enjoy.” The dwaeji bulbaek (돼지불백) marinated grilled pork melts in my mouth, rich with umami and the kick of gochujang. Between bites, Gary tells me about the history of the restaurant, Gisa Sikdang, or “drivers’ restaurant,” explaining how taxi drivers often know the best hidden spots in Seoul because they spend their days weaving across the city. I find myself savoring not only the food but also the richness of his stories.

What I thought would be a quick coffee chat turned into a four-hour dinner filled with laughter, curiosity, and honesty. Gary spoke candidly about his challenges in the film industry, his inspirations, and even his family life. I found myself opening up too, sharing my fears about the future, anxieties about pursuing a career in film, and my passions for storytelling. By the end of the evening, I realized I had gained not only professional insight but also personal reassurance. Gary told me gently but firmly, “Hailey, you are so young. You have so much time. Figure out what you’re passionate about. Make art that shows how you want others to see the world.”

That dinner became more than just a highlight of my trip; it became a symbol of my time in Korea. The moment captured everything I felt during my summer abroad: the warmth of hospitality, the nervousness of pushing myself into new experiences, the joy of shared laughter, and the comfort of knowing I was exactly where I needed to be.

 

In Seoul, while participating in Sogang University’s International Summer Program, my mornings were filled with intensive Korean language classes, and my afternoons were spent on Hallyu and Korean media courses. The language course provided a safe space for me to practice speaking daily, make mistakes, and learn to laugh at them. Meanwhile, the media class connected my studies at USF to global conversations about Korean culture, K-pop, and cross-cultural exchange. Our discussions often circled back to themes I’ve explored in my research, such as how media travels and transforms across borders, deepening my understanding of globalization in real time.

That blend of theory and lived experience made me realize that my education is not linear; it’s layered, constantly growing from both structured learning and spontaneous encounters. Just as my dinner with Gary gave me reassurance and perspective, so too did countless smaller moments: getting lost in the city and finding my way again, practicing Korean with Uber drivers, or discovering the layers of history tucked behind every dish, building, or story.

In Korea, every meal became a memory and a lesson in slowing down, connecting, and appreciating culture through taste and tradition. From jajangmyeon in Incheon’s Chinatown to hand-pressed tofu on the way to Sokcho, to unexpected raw seafood in Busan, and the dakgalbi in Hongdae, each dish carried its own story. They told me about the people who made them, the friends I shared them with, and the communities they came from.

 

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