From Romania to Korea: Finding Belonging Through Cultural Exchange

It often begins in an ordinary classroom, the kind filled with familiar routines and curious energy. Students sit a little straighter when someone new walks in, someone who speaks differently, looks different, and carries stories from another part of the world. In that moment, the classroom quietly opens beyond its walls. Cultural exchange in Korea does not always happen on big stages; more often, it starts right there, in simple, human encounters. Through the Cross Cultural Awareness Program (CCAP), known in Korean as 외국인과 함께하는 문화교실, I step into schools across Gwangju and South Jeolla Province to share where I come from, and in doing so, discover how deeply culture can connect us.

Cultural class with elementary school students.

Across the country, various organizations and local communities invite foreign residents into schools to share their cultures with Korean students. These cultural exchange activities are built on conversation rather than instruction. Foreign presenters bring maps, photos, music, traditional clothing, and personal memories, while students bring curiosity and openness. The exchange feels natural, less like a lesson and more like a shared experience.

Presenting Romania's culture to Korean students.

When I introduce Romania to Korean students, I watch curiosity slowly turn into connection. I show them Romania’s location on the map, traditional clothing, festivals tied to nature and the seasons, modern culture, and stories passed down through generations. I talk about Romania’s Latin roots, its Eastern European soul, medieval castles, famous festivals, and why we are known as Dracula’s Land, emphasizing not only the differences, but also the similarities between Romania and Korea, which makes it easier for students to understand and relate. Sometimes there are surprised smiles when students realize how many values and similarities we share despite the distance. Other times, laughter fills the room when cultural differences appear: different foods, different customs, different ways of celebrating life. In those moments, culture stops being “foreign” and becomes simply human.

Crafting activities during classes.

These classroom exchanges are meaningful because they work both ways. Students gain a broader view of the world, while foreign residents gain a deeper connection to Korean society. Standing in front of students, answering their questions and laughing together, we are no longer just living in Korea, we are participating in it. Through these moments, many of us naturally step into the role of cultural ambassadors, representing our home countries while building bridges where we live now.

Making a Romanian pouch.

Cultural exchange does not stop at the classroom door. Over the past years, I have also been involved in running Romania’s food booth during 세계인의 날 (World Citizens’ Day). Food has a special way of bringing people together, often more quickly than words. At the booth, visitors taste traditional Romanian dishes, ask about ingredients, and share their own food memories in return. These moments of culinary exchange create instant connections, curiosity turns into conversation, and conversation turns into understanding. Through events like 세계인의 날, culture becomes something you can see, smell, and taste. Traditional dishes carry history, geography, and family stories within them. When people try unfamiliar food with open minds, cultural exchange happens naturally. It becomes clear that sharing a meal is also a way of sharing identity, values, and hospitality.

Running the food booth.

Romanian food.

Romania's food booth.

Whether in classrooms or at cultural festivals, these experiences play an important role in integration. For foreign residents, participating in such activities offers a sense of belonging and purpose. For Korean participants, it provides real-life encounters with global cultures, helping diversity feel normal and approachable rather than distant or abstract.

What stays with me most are the small moments, a student comparing Romanian traditions to Korean ones, a visitor smiling in surprise after tasting a new dish, a simple “thank you” exchanged across languages. These moments may seem brief, but they quietly shape perspectives. They remind us that cultural exchange is not about perfection or performance, but about openness and connection.

All across Korea, similar programs and events continue to grow, each creating spaces where people meet not as strangers, but as neighbors with stories to share. In these shared spaces, culture becomes a bridge rather than a boundary. And through everyday exchanges, through stories, questions, and even food, understanding grows, naturally and sincerely. So if you ever have the chance to take part in something similar, don’t hesitate or be afraid. Just go for it!

Photos by Melline Galani