In the gentle twilight of her past, Jasmine emerged from the bustling heart of Seoul, South Korea—a city where time dances in sync with neon lights and where the aroma of street food weaves stories of tradition. However, this girl will eventually move to another bustling city of world renown, which shaped her open-minded heart.
Jasmine’s story begins in South Korea. It was here that she first learned to embrace her heritage, as the vibrant rhythms of Gangnam pulsed through her veins. She proudly introduced her hometown as “the hugest city from South Korea.” Through her words, one can trace a city that encapsulates the essence of modernity and cultural richness. Towering skyscrapers pierce the sky, their glass facades reflecting the kaleidoscope of colors that illuminate the cityscape at night.
Young Jasmine
Always feel supported by her hometown, Jasmine is very proud of herself. In the past, she never thought she could ever experience something like overseas studying in her life. Yet when it actually happens, she finds herself quickly adapt to the challenging new environment and find her own place within the community. Now, she plays softball in her high school, having a new home in the embrace of the San Francisco Bay Area of the United States.
“I like the ocean in San Francisco the most. It’s a city, yet there’s ocean outside. I really feel that’s very interesting and great.” Like Yang Yan in our previous interview, Jasmine also talks about the geological diversity of San Francisco. In San Francisco, the modern city meets the majestic Pacific Ocean. The ocean's endless horizon served as a backdrop to her journey, a constant reminder of nature's profound beauty. With its vast expanse of cerulean blue, the ocean stretches as far as the eye can see. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, one can witness the ever-changing moods of the ocean. In the heart of the city, Jasmine found a unique balance—an urban symphony intertwined with the serenity of the ocean's lullaby.
Jasmine in San Francisco
With this love of sea, Jasmine joined a program in her high school called Our Ecology research program. This program asked her to pick an ecological topic and conduct research and experiment, allowing her to dive into the mysterious ocean By joining this program, Jasmine starts to learn about the marine ecosystem in San Francisco.
Essentially, Jasmine concluded that “they (South Korea and United States) are quite the same.” She feels slight differences between these two cities. She believes the mindset is what truly matters. Having an open mindset allows her to be prepared of whatever happens.
Starfield Library in Seoul, taken by Jasmine
When we asked how she develops such a mindset, she attributes this to her traveling experience. With Asian cultures and histories as the backdrop of her life, Jasmine have went to a lot of places.. She shared tales of her adventures in China, Indonesia, Australia, etc. Each place, she mused, was a canvas painted with unique strokes, a testament to the diversity of human kind. Through traveling, she gets to know a lot of people from other countries, making the process of adapting new environment and having new friends no longer a difficulty.
Among all those countries she traveled, Jasmine is very surprised by the cultural diversity of China. “In one single nation, there are so many diverse places. I experience so many different things in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. I really though I was surprised that they all have different vibes and food cultures.” Among them, she was impressed by Shanghai’s tall building, which far exceeds her expectation. She describes the city as an international, urbanized place. It shows modernity with a fast pace of life, while the other cities also manifest different aspects of Chinese cultures.
Photos taken by Jasmine
Not limited to an interest in Chinese cities, Jasmine also has a lot of Chinese friends. Although it’s hard to describe the precise feeling, she believes that she feels a "bond” between Chinese people, a unique connection that helps them to unite into an entity. Within the vastness of Chinese culture, there exists this specific connection that binds its people together. It is a feeling that transcends geographical boundaries, language barriers, and the passage of time. Rooted in a shared history that spans thousands of years, this connection is woven into the very fabric of Chinese society, shaping the collective identity of its people.
In a world that increasingly craves connection, Jasmine's tale serves as a lyrical reminder of the beauty that unfolds when we dare to cross boundaries, seek understanding, and embrace the richness of cultural diversity.
Jasmine