What does it mean to have made it?
The question sounds simple, but the answer seems to change depending on where you learned to ask it. For us, the answer was never entirely Korean nor entirely Brazilian. We are both Korean, but we grew up in Brazil. We learned to speak Portuguese, went to international schools, ate Korean food at home and Brazilian food outside it, and learned — sometimes consciously and sometimes not — to move…
Defining success is a complex matter, with the answer seeming to shift depending on one's background. For the author, success has never been strictly Korean or Brazilian, but rather a blend of both cultures. They grew up in Brazil, speaking Portuguese, attending international schools, and experiencing both Korean and Brazilian cuisine. This upbringing instilled in them the ability to navigate two distinct perspectives on what constitutes a successful life.
In Korea, there is a well-known roadmap to achieving success: focus on academics, obtain high grades, attend a reputable university, secure a respectable job, accumulate enough wealth to purchase a desirable home, get married, and start a family. Ideally, parents wish to provide their children with opportunities that surpass what they themselves had. While not all Koreans adhere to this trajectory, it remains a prevalent aspiration in the country.
Education plays a crucial role in shaping one's understanding of success. Historically, education has been viewed as a key component of this equation. It has been recognized as a powerful tool for achieving personal and professional goals, as well as providing opportunities for future generations.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- What does it mean to have made it? koreatimes.co.kr
