Cleone Cassidy Brown

Deokjeok-do, a place of learning through enjoyment. When I first applied to EPIK I did not know much about the city of Incheon, even less about the islands in the Ongjin-gun area. One year and a half later, I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. Deokjeok-do, an hour away from Incheon by ferry, is the largest island of Deokjeok-myeon. To visitors this island is one known for its unpopulated and beautiful beaches, rewarding hiking trails and lush forest areas. To the locals its known as a place of peace, a place of family.

When I arrived on this island, fresh off my first time on a ferry, I could immediately tell I was no longer in the city. First of all, the air quality is great and second of all, there is not a traffic light in sight. You know as you’re walking that this is a small town. My school, where I teach English to the elementary school students, is the only school on this island with a total of 22 students. My school takes pride in the fact that my students learn while having fun, and utilizes the facilities on our island to do so. The students go on field trips to different islands and I’ll take the opportunity to teach them vocabulary, they play screen golf at a hotel on our island owned by one of the parents, they learn how to bake cookies at the café, I let them practice writing English by going to beach and have them practice writing in the sand. My school and vice principal believe fun and learning are intrinsically interlinked and it makes me enjoy my time here even more because everyone around me is having a good time too. Happiness is sure to come in Deokjeok-do, just like the waves are sure to crash into the sand and lull you to sleep at night. A place that feels like our little secret, our haven, from the bustling city life of Korea that is great but sometimes overwhelming. Deokjeok-do is a place to learn but also a place to rest and heal, the pride of its people.

While I can proudly say my Korean has gotten better since I first arrived, I am nowhere near fluent, still everyone I come across tries their best to speak to me. My students go out of their way to greet me in English and ask how I am, my coworkers make conversation to me about my interests and how we spend our down time and the locals always try their best to include me if I happen to pass by. Back in my home country we have the term “Ubuntu” which has many meanings but mainly ‘I am because we are’. I feel like Deokjeok-do embraces that wholeheartedly. Last year before I moved to the teacher’s apartments on our school, I lived a few minutes away, and every morning I would pass by a house and the owner would greet me. After some time, she would come outside and tell me if the air was bad today or to get a jacket because it was cold, and then she would insist I bring a bowl to get some kimchi from her. I affectionately refer to her as my halmeoni because that’s what she feels like.

When I moved earlier this year my coworkers and vice principal took the initiative to help me move everything from the previous occupant out of my room because I am one of them and that’s what you do. My previous landlord made multiple trips from my old place to my new one to help me move my furniture and other miscellaneous things, for no other reason than he could and wanted to. When I go on walks I know the bus drivers, the café owners, the policemen and the post office workers and we always greet each other with a smile. At a recent hwesik, I commented that the grilled fish we had reminded me of food we often ate on sunny days at home, and the owner immediately brought out more. People often ask if I get homesick and the answer is always no. I do miss my family and aspects of my home country. However, thanks to Deokjeok-do, I have never needed to miss the spirit of Ubuntu.