Succeeding Vicariously

Today one of our school's brightest students was accepted into an elite foreign language high school in Seoul. Of the 900 applicants, only 60 students are selected annually. It is a very difficult school to get into and their graduates are practically guaranteed admission to Korea's top universities. I have been teaching Jin Sung at least once a week since I arrived in Mokpo and he has always been a pleasure to work with. Although he is a little scattered and socially awkward, he has a good heart and tries very hard to succeed. I was, of course, ecstatic for him (especially after he begged me to stay 1.5 hours after work last week, without notice, to practice his interviewing skills), but I was totally unprepared for the recognition which followed.

It is rather common in Korea for appreciative parents to bring gifts of fruit and rice cakes to the Hagwon. This happens very often. Today, however, not only did 2 huge boxes of oranges and grapes arrive, but so did Mrs. Kwak herself. She approached me tentatively and then offered me the deepest, most appreciative bow I have ever seen and then shook my had very vigorously. I was honestly take aback because I've never seen an adult bend so low, especially to someone as young as myself. I think the secretary was also quite surprised because she stood there for a moment before fetching my Boss -- the usual recipient of any/all accolades. Thenceforth she was extremely polite to me for the rest of the day. Due to the language barrier no words were exchanged between Mrs. Kwak and myself except for "Thank You" and "You're Welcome! Congratulations!", but I later learned that Mrs. Kwak will pay for a staff luncheon and for pizza to be served in every class this Friday. A rather "cheesy" thank you, n'est pas?

Jin Sung later told me that the questions I asked when we had our last-minute Pow-Wow turned out to be the same questions the interviewers asked him on Friday, and that 2 of the 4 essay topics he was offered during the written portion of the test were identical to ones I asked him to write for our essay class last month. Fortune seems to be smiling down on the boy, and I honestly cannot take much credit for the dedication and energy he puts into his studies, but I am feeling a strange sort of pride tonight. Getting into this school was Jin Sung's dream. All of his aspiring endeavors and achievements were and will be linked to his acceptance into this school. When I asked him, last week, what he would do if he didn't get into the school, he was utterly perplexed.

Tonight I'm thinking about the dreams I once had, and the admissions and rejections I've experienced. I am so grateful that Jin Sung was not disenchanted last Friday and that his potential has not been checked. I could honestly almost cry with joy. I don't know why this is effecting me so much. He is certainly not one of my favorite students (not that I have favorites...), and I absolutely despise the work I do most of the time, but today it seemed as though I caught a glimpse of the lasting impression I will leave on one Korean student. And the power of this image almost made this exhausting experience worthwhile... almost.