26. Immigration Virus

Everything I knew were bits and pieces from the books. Since I never took formal school classes, my knowledge was neither systematic not organized. For example, I did not have chronological knowledge of the history. I read papers every day and subscribed several magazines. I knew what was going on in the society and world. I still did not have a single certificate of education to show.

 

Father was planning to take the family and immigrate to America. In 70’s, many Koreans wished and dreamed about leaving the country and going to America. They called it ‘Immigration Virus.’ Once you got it, there was no return. People gave up good titles and wealth, and packed the bags. Father got this virus. He was making pretty good money from the restaurant, Byeok Je Kal Bi. My parents should have stayed and just sent the kids to America. They would have a better life later in their lives. Father sold the restaurant and land, and left the country. Around the same time, few of his relatives and friends also came to America. 

 

My uncle visited Korea few times to help him move. Father sent money to America thru uncle and his friends. It was illegal to send large sum of dollars out of the country. Among those trying to immigrate to America were people opposing to President Park’s dictatorship. It was known that the government was tapping phone calls to the foreign countries. When father sent money to uncle, he used the codes. He would say he was sending 6 dried cods or 4 ginseng roots. 

 

Before he made the final decision, father visited American to check it around. He still had the restaurant, and the employees were expecting gifts from him. To their disappointment, he did not bring any gifts. Mother had to go to the shops in Nam Dae Mun and bought American made gifts for the employees. 

 

The first Korean immigrants came to Hawaii 100 some years ago. Most Korean immigrants came during 70-80’s. At the beginning, students came, then people running away from the dictatorship, people who had left their hometowns such as my father and Chinese Koreans who came to Korea running away from the communists, and those who married American GI’s. Once they got the green cards and citizenship, they invited parents and siblings.

 

One of the unique features of the immigrant community is no recognition of the previous status. Those who came and settled first would be in the upper class. Those who used to be blue color workers settled and made more money since they did not mind rolling up the sleeves and engaging in hard and dangerous works. Those who used to be in upper class in Korea had difficulties accepting these changes. 

 

Most early Korean immigrants did not mind new life in the foreign country. Life in Korea was lot harder. They armed with guns and opened liquor and clothing stores in black community. That’s how many Korean old timers made lots of money. Those who came later in 90’s with large sum of money struggled. They bought established store with premium and the sales were not what they expected. People seldom put the stores with good income in the market. They sell them to friends and relatives. 

 

Now 2nd generation Koreans are in their 30-40’s. (They seem to have their own culture.) It would take some time for Korean community to change. Current Korean community is similar to Korea in 80’s. It's because most Koreans came to America in 80’s. Immigrants are like old letters in the bottles. They are frozen in the time they left. Those who left Korea in 70’s is stuck in 70’s culture, and those who came in 90’s think and act in 90’s. 

 

Immigration requires good planning and long time. 

 

I was getting older and had not achieved much. I learned Fulbright Scholar Program could help students get the education in America. One day, I picked up the phone and called. I was connected to a counselor. I explained my situation to her. 

 

I told her I had a disability, never went to school, and wanted to go to America to study. Her name was ‘Greer,’ and she asked me to visit her office. So, I went to see her. She said I needed to have the high school degree. She referred me to 8th Army educational center in Yong San. 

 

I applied for GED test and borrowed the books to study. They did not allow me to take the books out of the base. I had to go to the center and studied there. My brother helped and went with me. We brought packed lunch and ate it there. A Korean worker there offered hot brew coffee. There was a large metal container with a tap at the bottom and we could freely drink the hot coffee. 

 

High Korean government officials’ kids took some college courses offered to the American military personnel. Korean civilian workers there thought we were kids of high government officials. 

 

There were four subjects, English, math, science, and social study, in the exam. The math was over my head. I took math tutoring from a college student. I passed the exam. They told me I could take college courses offered in the base. Tuition was rather expensive, and no one would take me to Yong San several times a week. So, my pursuit for further education ended there. 

 

Nevertheless, the experience boosted my pride and confidence. After I came to America, I was able to enroll in the community college with my GED certificate.