Internationalmatt's Blog

Resiliency is a trait many internationals demonstrate

Resiliency is a trait that I have observed  in many of my international friends. I have been impressed by how my friends are able to adapt to their new  life and surroundings. I have also been impressed by how many of my friends have been able to rebound from difficult circumstances. A friend of mine from Korea comes to mind when I think of resiliency. Yeon-Og is a single mother with 3 young children. She found herself in a drastic situation in 2006. Her husband was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer and she was 8 months pregnant. Her husband went through chemo therapy in a valiant effort to fight the cancer. He was able to live to see his 3rd child born. In June 2006 he died leaving behind a young widow and three children ages 3 months to 10 years.

Yeon-Og picked up the pieces of her shattered life and did not give up. It was difficult for her and still is, but she continues to press forward. She had a Master’s Degree from a school in Texas, so she pursued getting into a Doctoral Program at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She is currently in her Doctoral Program and raising her children. There were moments she felt it was too much, but she pressed on to create a new life for her and her 3 children. I am convinced that after she finishes her Phd that whoever hires her will be fortunate because they will be getting a resourceful woman who will not cave in under pressure. A woman who studied in a second language to achieve a Master’s and a Phd. A woman who did so under most extraordinary circumstances..

When you meet an international, whether in the community, at school, in an interview, or at work, you are more than likely meeting a person who has been resilient enough to overcome obstacles that we may never know.

October 5, 2009 Posted by internationalmatt | Cross Cultural, Experiences of international friends, Globalization, Human Resources, Internationals, Korean friends, Mutlicultural | 2 Comments