Yesterday, I had a nice meal in Little Italy. With every step while walking along the street, memories of the U.S. rose vividly.

While attending a language school, I lived downtown. Hanging out with my friends after school was my favorite time. Little Italy was always lively and joyful. I loved to look around the restaurants, gift shops, and the people there. The farmer’s market every Saturday, which sells different menus compared with the Korean farmer’s market, was also interesting. Moreover, sitting on a chair in front of the fountain and eating ice cream was my happiness.

Coronado Island was one of my favorite places in my downtown life, too. My language school teacher, Christina, recommended visiting Coronado Public Library and it became my favorite library now. Also, I have been to Hotel Del Coronado so many times that it’s okay not to go anymore. But I would like to tell that it was an alluring place every time I visit. Walking along the beachside always presented me with the perfect sunset. I believe Coronado Island is the most San Diego-like space in San Diego.

In March, I moved to Pacific Beach. Because San Diego is near the coastal area, I can’t talk about this place without the beach. There are beautiful beaches in Korea, too. Because the three sides of Korea are the sea. But normally, the beach is the place where we go on vacation. I believe the reason for this is also related to the hardworking, busy milieu in Korea. In San Diego, I could go to the beach every day if I want. Even though I am not doing something special, chilling on the sand and watching the brilliant ocean under the sun relaxed my body and mind enough. Pacific Beach, La Jolla Shores Beach, Solana Beach, Black’s Beach, Oceanside Harbor Beach, etc. Each beach has different vibes.

These are intense impressions especially because there are layers of amazing times with people around me. As this is my first time staying in an unfamiliar place and meeting strangers every time, I realized this is the best way to know each other. Now I know who likes or hates what, what habits they have, which words they speak often, what kind of activities they want to do, and think of someone when I saw something he or she likes. I have not known someone so deeply like this except for my family.

Despite me and the people I met in San Diego being scattered (or going to be scattered) all over the world, we still have precious memories in common. It is natural that memories will be cut like nails, but these experiences must have accumulated one by one. These are the things that clearly exist like fingerprints. I will remember this time with my body.

Coming through these six months, I could also learn about myself more. Or some parts of me may have changed here. The clear fact is that I could feel that I have grown up more than before. Indeed, there were definitely moments of anger and sadness, embarrassment, and loneliness, too. “Man muss noch Chaos in sich haben, um einen tanzenden Stern gebären zu können. (You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.), as Friedrich Nietzsche said, even those times made me solid and strong.

I still remember my first day in San Diego. After the flight about 10 hours, rain from the cloudy sky greeted me. I went through the rain with two pieces of luggage that weighs similar to me. Waiting for the check-in time for the Airbnb in the cafeteria, I was delighted at the fact that I am stepping into the U.S. Now it is six months later, I am bringing many ‘firsts’ from here, and going to start another journey.

My friends are going through their own journey following their speed and direction, too. A few days ago, my first roommate Juliana sent me a video of herself using the gift that I gave her before. I called Doris and Eva, who had become my first friends in the U.S., to tell them I will visit Taiwan next month (See you later, Janice). I saw an Instagram story that Delal and Kae are meeting in Japan and having a great time together. Angela, Sandy, Max, Leo, and In-Chul were the people who I could share the same language, emotions, and experiences as the same program participants with me. We can meet again in Korea. I believe Akira and Tetta will enjoy their moments anywhere, as I enjoyed most when I was with them. I hope Thalia and Livia have the best time in San Diego for my part. Including the names that are not written here, we are all separated but connected. I will continuously send my love to everyone who I have met here and been with me.

Thanks to everyone who has been my joy, comfort, and privacy.

Thanks to my parents who always send me generous love, support, and worries.

Finally, I genuinely appreciate sdnews.com for giving me the opportunity to post my stories. It was a great honor to write stories with our company. I would also thank the people who read my articles.

San Diego, which was just a new place at first, is now another home for me. I hope we can meet again, someday.

Dear San Diego,

From Juri Kim.

Juri Kim is an international intern from Korea.