From Seoul to the Big Apple — A Journey of Growth, Identity, and Global Perspective — Sage Park

By Chad Laws (AES Communications Specialist)

Before moving to New Delhi, I had only ever known life in Korea. My father, a mechanical engineer, traveled the world for work, but I had never stepped beyond Korea myself. Yet, even then, I carried a deep and growing curiosity about the world beyond my borders. In high school, that curiosity collided with a growing dissonance: I found it increasingly difficult to thrive within the Korean education system. Just a month into the academic year, my family began to consider a new path.

The opportunity to experience life beyond Korea came swiftly - when my father’s job brought him to India. My family saw this as more than just a relocation—it was a chance to create a new beginning. I arrived at the American Embassy School (AES) as a high school sophomore, feeling both exhilarated and overwhelmed. My younger brother, Sehyun Shawn Park, joined AES as an 8th grader and also remained through his graduation in Grade 12. We navigated this new world together, growing as students, siblings, and global citizens. This was my first time living abroad, and for us both, it changed the trajectory of our lives in ways I could never have imagined.

Today I am working as a transactional attorney. The path from AES to my current life has been rich with transitions: after graduation, I returned to Korea for university, then transferred to Rice University in Houston, where I majored in English Literature. I taught English in Korea for a few years before earning my Juris Doctor (J.D.) at Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York. Now, I share a life in NYC with my dog Chloe and often catch up with my brother, who is a PhD. candidate at Columbia Business School.

AES was more than an international school. It was a place that helped me rediscover my voice during one of the most vulnerable periods of my life. In the beginning, I struggled immensely. Though I had studied English in Korea, I found it difficult to keep up in a fully English-speaking environment. I became self-conscious and withdrawn, barely speaking during my first year. But I refused to let fear define me. I poured myself into my studies, gradually gained confidence, and eventually found my place—academically, socially, and emotionally.

This experience profoundly shaped who I am. I came to understand what it means to be vulnerable, to persevere, and to grow through challenges. From rigorous academics to rich extracurriculars, AES was a place where students could turn struggle into growth. One of my most treasured memories of belonging came through music. I played violin in the Strings Ensemble nearly every semester. It was in rehearsals and performances that I truly began to feel part of something bigger. Creating harmony with others, each of us contributing our unique sound, became a metaphor for what AES stood for: unity in diversity.

The cultural diversity at AES was transformative. While the school followed an American curriculum, its uniquely international student body exposed me to a global community unlike any I had ever experienced. Surrounded by classmates and teachers from all corners of the world, I became more deeply aware of the richness that different languages, customs, and perspectives bring. Inspired by this, I began studying Spanish at AES and continued to pursue it at university. More than anything, AES taught me to approach the world—others—and myself—with empathy and compassion.

AES is where I learned to see myself not only as a Korean but as a global citizen. That global perspective continues to shape my worldview today—from my approach to law to my relationships, and to my assimilation into the multicultural rhythm of life in New York City. Whether I’m working with colleagues from South America or chatting with neighbors in different languages, I still carry the mindset I developed at AES. Nurtured in part by AES’s mission, which inspires “a joyful pursuit of excellence”, I have been groomed by the warmth of its community and the way it rewards effort, not just achievement. Even during my hardest moments, I felt encouraged and supported. 

The school's motto, "Enter to Learn. Leave to Serve," has stayed with me long after graduation. I entered AES full of questions and left with a clear sense of purpose. The resilience, empathy, and curiosity I developed there continue to guide me. I strive not just for personal success, but to contribute meaningfully to my community and profession. Today, I believe service is about using what I’ve learned to uplift others—a value that AES planted deep in my heart. Though it’s been nearly 14 years since I graduated, the memories and lessons from AES continue to shape the person I am today. And for that, I will always be grateful.