Some goodbyes deserve more than a wave through the window — so we wrote a letter, bought plants and tried to say thank you in the only way that felt adequate.
In Translation:
Adam and I wanted to thank you for being so friendly to us during our stay here in Korea.It is always hard to live away from your family, but every time we see you, you smile and make us feel welcome.
Unfortunately, we have a family emergency and must return home to America. Nicole’s Mom is sick and we want to be closer to her. We appreciate your kindness more than you will ever know. We wish you great happiness in your future.
-Best
Adam, Nicole, Eunee and Baby
Adam and I had to leave a little note behind for all the wonderful people we met who made our stay here so special. We gave them all plants and our letter.
Q: What is it like leaving South Korea unexpectedly due to a family emergency? A: Devastating and necessary in equal measure. We had built a life in Korea — routines relationships neighbors who smiled at us every single day and made us feel genuinely welcome despite the language barrier. Leaving suddenly without proper goodbyes felt impossible so we wrote letters translated them into Korean and gave plants to the people who had made our stay feel like home. It was the least we could do for people who had given us so much.
Q: How do you say goodbye to people in Korea when you do not speak the language? A: You write it down and you find someone to translate it. The words we wanted to say — thank you for your kindness you made us feel welcome we will never forget you — transcend language beautifully when written from the heart. A handwritten letter with a living plant felt like the most honest and culturally respectful goodbye we could offer.
Q: How do Korean neighbors typically treat foreign expats? A: With a warmth and genuine curiosity that consistently surprised and moved us. Older Koreans in particular went out of their way to acknowledge us smile at us and make us feel seen in a neighborhood where we were clearly outsiders. That daily human kindness is one of the things we missed most immediately upon returning to America.
Q: What happens when you have a family emergency while living abroad? A: You go home. No hesitation no deliberation. The logistics of leaving — breaking leases packing lives saying goodbyes — all become secondary to getting to the people who need you. It is in those moments that you understand most clearly what actually matters and what was always just details.
Q: How do you cope with leaving a life you love abroad for family reasons? A: By holding both truths at once — that leaving was right and that leaving was hard. The people and places you leave behind do not disappear from your heart just because you board a plane. They become part of your story permanently which is exactly what our Korean neighbors did for us.
More from Korea
More from Korea
Remarkably livable once the initial adjustment passes. Korea is safe, efficient, and genuinely welcoming to families. The food culture is extraordinary. Kids adapt faster than adults to the language and social norms. Most expat families describe Korea as having raised their standard for what a city should offer.
The children’s museums in Seoul are world class. Korean street food is an adventure for kids of all ages. Palaces and traditional villages give history a physical form that works for children. Jjimjilbang family spas are a uniquely Korean experience worth trying. And the playgrounds and outdoor spaces in Korean cities are genuinely excellent.
Korea is excellent for adventurous young eaters. For picky eaters it takes adjustment. Korean fried chicken is universally beloved. Kimbap rice rolls are approachable for most kids. The spice level can be managed by ordering milder dishes. Street food culture especially tteokbokki corn dogs and hotteok pancakes is a huge hit with children.
Apps like Duolingo and Pimsleur help with the alphabet and basics. Language exchange partners are available and Koreans are generally patient and appreciative of any effort. Formal classes exist in every major Korean city. Kids pick up Korean in school environments much faster than adults do in language classes.
Pros: extraordinary safety, excellent public transport, amazing food at every price point, strong medical system, and a culture that genuinely values family. Cons: language barrier for adults, high academic pressure culture that affects international kids in local schools, air quality issues especially in spring, and the social insularity that can make deep friendships with Koreans slow to develop.
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Hope your mom is ok…
Thank you 😉 Havin us home we hope will be the best medicine for her 🙂
Thanks Lisa. I can’t wait to see her in person and help get her better! Being far away has really been difficult.
Oh goodness … hope your Mom gets well soon!