Korean Friends Visit Oregon - Climbing, Exploring, Cultural Differences, Social Change

Send us a Text Message.

Welcome to the Women of the Northwest podcast, hosted by Jan Johnson. In this episode, Jan introduces surprise guests Se-eun and Ye Jin, friends of her daughter Emily.Se-eun, from South Korea, shares how she met Emily during her visit to Korea and how she finally got the opportunity to visit her friends in the United States.Ye Jin, also from South Korea, talks about her experience living in the States for eleven years due to her father's academic pursuits and her subsequent return to South Korea. She discusses the challenges of maintaining her English proficiency and the differences in education systems between the two countries.Jan explores their recent trip to Oregon, highlighting the scenic landscapes they encountered during their four and a half hour drive from Bend to Brownsmead. They discuss the beauty of the river, forest, and blue sky, as well as the sight of the Three Sisters and Mount Hood.The guests mention their visit to the Grange and the enjoyable experiences they had, including live music by the Brownsmead Flats and trying out local food like mashed potatoes.Jan learns about Se-eun's previous visit to New York City and Ye-Jin's love for American food, specifically mashed potatoes with gravy sauce, which is not commonly found in Korea.They talk about their shared interest in climbing and how they met Emily through climbing lessons in Korea. Ye Jin mentions her recent injuries and the challenges of getting back into climbing after a two-year break. Se-eun expresses her desire to explore various sports and outdoor activities available in Emily's area, including kayaking and backcountry skiing.Ye Jin describes her passion for bouldering and the accomplishment she feels when solving climbing problems. She also discusses her transition to lead climbing and the sense of self-competition and endurance it brings.The episode concludes with a discussion on the physical training required for climbing and the overall joy and fulfillment it brings to their lives.

Join Jan and her surprise guests as they share their travel experiences, love for climbing, and the exploration of exciting activities in the Northwest. 

Subscribe to the Women of the Northwest podcast for inspiring stories and adventures.
Find me on my website: jan-johnson.com