Crafting a Home: Finding place where you will always be a "foreigner".

Being an immigrant in a foreign land tugs at your very core, constantly challenging your identity. Who are you in this new culture? Do you start your day with seaweed or cereal? How much pressure should you put on your children's education? Which languages should you prioritize? It's a constant internal debate, as you're pulled in different directions by family, educational systems, and cultural norms.

My husband and I started our journey in Korea, we created a life filled with art, nature, culture, and family. From the moment we met, we put our time in for our jewelry business, Persia Piercing, in the heart of Downtown Daegu. Camping in Korea's picturesque outdoors became a cherished tradition, initially by motorcycle and now with a caravan. Our family has expanded to include three kids, attending Korean school and learning English at home. Our unique family story even made it onto national TV, featuring hour-long episodes showcasing our life, from caravan camping to outdoor sports, cooking, teaching, shopping, and savoring Korean cuisine and clothing.

In addition to our jewelry business and my petite art studio, I find in teaching at a large university in Daegu. It's fun to tallk with students and converse in Korean while discussing daily topics.

Our multicultural family thrives in this Korean environment, fluently conversing in Korean, while preserving our Persian and English languages at home. We celebrate the customs and celebrations from all three cultures, weaving a rich tapestry of traditions.

Life in Korea was initially challenging, struggling with language barriers and the feeling of being an outsider. However, as I formed friendships and watched my children integrate, started learning the customs and language I began to feel a real sense of belonging.

While we are completely integrated, we still get called "foreigner". While we have nationality and speak fluently we are still outsiders looking in. It's like you belong but you differences are still completely apparent like your American passport is pasted to your forehead.

I've channeled our adventures into my art, a journey of self-discovery driven by an unwavering passion. Our immigrant experience has transformed into a vibrant masterpiece, a testament to the enduring power of creativity and the indomitable human spirit.

In our pursuit of belonging in a land far from home, we discovered that art, nature, and family are the threads that have woven our unique tapestry of life in Korea. Through the challenge, we've realized that being an expat is not just about adapting to a new culture, but also about enriching it with our own experiences and perspectives.

Our jewelry business, camping adventures, and teaching endeavors hto the fusion of our backgrounds with the vibrant Korean landscape. Our children have embraced their multicultural heritage, celebrating holidays from three different cultures, and becoming fluent in both Korean and their native tongues.

As we painted the canvas of our lives with vivid memories, we transformed the immigrant experience into a work of art, showcasing the enduring power of creativity and the indomitable human spirit. In the end, our journey has revealed that home is not just a place but a feeling, and in Korea, with the art, nature, and family, we've found that sense of belonging that makes our story truly remarkable. In all, I've learned there really is no better guide than the heart and following your desire to explore and create.

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