My Experience as a Leader Anonymous

The Korean educational system can be a passive environment where the students learn to simply do as they are told. I went to school in Korea where I was not aware of my obedient attitude, all of the students behaved in the same way. Because Korean students only follow the teachers’ direction, the classes tend to not be very creative in essence. It was common for all the students to write the same exact essay.

In 2006, I moved to Vietnam when my father was transferred from his office. I was afraid of moving because I had no idea what to expect. How would I make new friends? How would I adjust to the teaching style of my new school?

My first year at Saigon South International School was terrible. It was difficult to make friends because none of the teachers assigned seats. In Korea, teachers select certain locations for each student when class begins. We are given things like crossword puzzles as an icebreaker. Without the teachers’ directions and activities, I retreated to the back row and never had any opportunities to talk or interact with my classmates. I was confused and very lonely.

The one place that I felt at home was my church. It was five minutes away from my home and I went twice a week. I joined the choir and I soon...