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Title [ICM's Pick] Participant's Voice / Sharing hards tasks without saying it's hard

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    878
  • Date
    10-09-2018
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Photo of Yebin SONG, a supporter for the IYMAC

 

 

On the last day, it seemed like everyone was leaving with a memory they would never forget. It was the same for me also. Would I have a second chance to meet people from so many different backgrounds? During the camp, no one complained. Instead, we shared difficult tasks together and helped each other. And I realized that this is what true pleasure is. I also found myself one step closer to my dream while assisting English and Chinese interpretation. 

 

 

 

Ye bin SONG

Sophomore, Chungju Girls’ High School

 

 


I’ve always been interested in going global and learning languages and interpretation, as well as learning about international trade. This explains why I was keenly interested in serving as a supporter of the International Youth Martial Arts Camp that I heard about from my homeroom teacher. I thought that it would be a rare opportunity to meet people from many different countries and interact with them, so I handed in my application.


The momentary excitement about what I would do as a supporter was followed by a rush of concerns: I was afraid of making mistakes around people from different countries. But such concerns did not last long. Time flew while I was involved in preparing for the opening ceremony and assisting in the registration process, and I turned myself into a real-supporter quite fast. After the opening ceremony, at the first meeting with my teammates, who were from Korea, China, and Canada, I did not feel nervous at all. The first night was unforgettable when teenagers from different countries speaking different languages became friends, relying on body language.

 

 

 

Every morning, all the participants came out to the field and learned different countries’ martial arts, which I found the most interesting, but at the same time most frightening as  a supporter.

It was a true luck for the cam participants to have opportunities to learn traditional martial arts by experts from those countries. I still remember the eyes of my teammates trying not to miss one single move, always asking, ‘Teacher, how do I do that? Please help!’

 

 

On the day that we learned the Chinese martial art Wushu, I had to string up my nerves tightly because I was asked t interpretate. My brain was all messed up interpreting Chinese to Korean and then Korean to English. I kept murmuring, trying to come up with the right words. But soon I regained my confidence, all thanks to my friends who encouraged me not to be afraid of making errors and the teachers who made me feel relieved by saying that they never noticed me doing anything wrong and I looked brilliant doing it. On the day when we visited Yongin to learn the Korean martial art Taekwondo, I thought that my friends from other countries would feel the same way I did the other day.

 

We all became so close to each other, as if we had been friends since long ago, and we had wonderful, memorable moments hanging out in a pool. On the last day, we finished the completion ceremony with photos, and letters. We all felt so sad saying goodbye, exchanging contact numbers and cherishing memories that would last a lifetime. Would I have a second chance to meet people from so many different backgrounds? During the camp, no one complained. Instead, we shared difficult tasks together and helped each other. And I realized that this is what true pleasure is. I also found myself one step closer to my dream while assisting English and Chinese interpretation. I would really like to come back and do it again if I have another opportunity.