KCCNYC Journeys: Dana’s Story
KCCNYC Journeys: Dana Cunningham
By Dana Cunningham
How Learning Korean Changed My Experience in Korea
When people ask me why I have spent the last four years studying Korean, the answer is simple: because I wanted to connect.
My journey with Korea actually began long before I ever enrolled in a Korean class.
2011 in Korea
Around 2011, I traveled to Korea for work. At that time, I knew nothing about the language or culture. My visit revolved around business meetings, and although I was fortunate to visit a palace, explore a traditional market, and tour the DMZ, I experienced Korea as an observer rather than a participant. Everything felt unfamiliar, and I stayed safely within the structured itinerary that had been planned for me. I left with memorable experiences, but I never imagined Korea would become such an important part of my life.
Then, in 2022, I discovered BTS. What began as an appreciation for their music soon grew into an appreciation for Korean culture, history, food, and traditions. As I listened to more of their music, I realized I wanted to understand more than what subtitles and translations could provide. I wanted to appreciate the deeper meaning of their lyrics and the emotions and cultural nuances behind them. At the same time, I realized that learning Korean would allow me to connect more deeply with the people and culture that had inspired the music I had come to love.
That realization started my Korean language journey.
i started with language learning apps…
2022 in Busan!
I began with language learning apps before enrolling in online classes. For the past two years, I have been studying at KCCNYC, where my teacher has patiently helped me build both my confidence and my language skills.
When BTS announced what would become their hiatus while the members completed their military service, I was determined to attend the Yet To Come concert in Busan. I did not know if it would be my only opportunity to see all seven members together again.
I was fortunate enough to secure a ticket and set off for Korea.
At that point, I could read Hangul, but that was about the extent of my practical Korean. I managed to navigate Seoul reasonably well, but when I arrived in Jeju, I quickly realized how much I still had to learn.
One experience remains unforgettable.
I got into a taxi but could not adequately explain where I needed to go. The driver became increasingly frustrated, and I felt completely helpless. I honestly thought he might ask me to get out of the taxi. I was embarrassed, overwhelmed, and eventually in tears. Thankfully, I had a picture of my hotel. He recognized it immediately and was able to take me there safely.
That moment taught me something important. Reading Hangul was helpful, but communication is about much more than reading signs. I wanted to be able to have real conversations.
So I kept studying
Each year, I returned to Korea with a little more confidence than the year before. Every class at KCCNYC gave me another tool that I could use during my travels.
At KCCNYC Korea Fest!
This year, I returned to Korea with six of my friends. Some had visited Korea before, while for others it was their first time. I found myself seeing the country through both their experiences and my own. For the first time, I truly felt the difference my studies had made.
Ironically, it was not at museums or famous tourist attractions where I noticed the biggest change.
It was in the taxis.
At the hotels, the staff usually greeted us in English, but taxi drivers almost always spoke Korean. Instead of sitting quietly for the ride, I found myself having conversations. They wanted to know where we were from and why we were visiting Korea. When they learned we were there for the BTS concert, they would eagerly play BTS during the ride. They pointed out landmarks along the way. They recommended dishes we should try and restaurants that only locals seemed to know about. Three different taxi drivers even gave us snacks during our rides.
The conversations were not perfect. I made mistakes, searched for words, and sometimes had to describe things in a different way when I did not know the vocabulary. But none of that mattered.
We connected.
Those simple conversations became some of my favorite memories from this trip because they reminded me that language is ultimately about people.
Learning Korean did not just make traveling easier. It transformed my experience from simply visiting Korea to truly experiencing it. Instead of watching life happen around me, I was able to participate in it.
Looking back at my first business trip more than fifteen years ago, I never could have imagined that I would return year after year, studying Korean, building friendships, and creating memories that were only possible because I chose to learn the language.
The confidence to have those conversations did not happen overnight. It came from years of study, practice, and encouragement from my teachers at KCCNYC. Their classes helped transform Korean from something I studied into something I could use to connect with people.
I still have a long way to go, but every class, every conversation, and every visit reminds me why I started.
I began learning Korean because I wanted to better understand the music that inspired me. I have continued learning because it has given me something even more meaningful: the ability to connect with people.
For anyone wondering whether learning Korean is worth the effort, my answer is an enthusiastic yes.
You never know when a simple conversation with a taxi driver can become one of the most meaningful memories of your journey.
