Servas Korea was my home away from home

🌏 Reunion 🇨🇺🇰🇷🫶🏾

South Korea 2025

There are gifts you can’t wrap or buy.
There are gifts that come when you need them most—without asking, without imagining them.
That’s how my reunion in Korea felt. That’s how I met my Korean family.

My first international trip has come to an end, and I had the privilege of experiencing it in South Korea—a country that embraced me from the very first moment.

I traveled with dreams, nerves, curiosity, and a deep desire to learn.
I arrived in Seoul on May 14, and from that day, something inside me began to transform.

And it was on May 18 that the great adventure officially began.
Our destination: Suwon, where the event “Discovery Korea and Peace & Ride – Servas Korea 2025” would take place—an experience created to promote peace, understanding, and cultural exchange among people from all over the world.

I was already amazed by the country’s beauty, the warmth of its people, and the flawless organization—but from that moment on, everything became even more special.
When we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted with a warm welcome: a thoughtful gift, created exclusively for participants.
A gesture of hospitality that made me feel valued and part of something bigger.

The event was a complete success.
We laughed, danced, enjoyed teamwork, bold flavors, and moments filled with laughter and songs.
The bike tour became something spectacular—because Suwon is a city where history is alive.
Its walls, its traditional architecture, and the event that brought us together were just the beginning of a transformation in each of us.

From there, every city we visited offered me history, human warmth, and unforgettable moments:

📍 Seoul – vibrant, modern, and infinite.
There I discovered the perfect harmony between tradition and technology, between ancient temples and futuristic cafés.

📍 Busan – melodic like a song by the sea.
There I experienced a beautiful wedding and felt like part of a big family.

📍 Pohang – with its sea breeze and free spirit.
Walking by the sea was like breathing peace.

📍 Gyeongju – an open-air museum.
There I learned the value of silence, the respect for what is ancient, and the language of small gestures.

📍 Changwon – creative and generous.
Parading through Jinhae-rou, dressed in a hanbok, was an honor I still can’t believe.
That day, I wore pride, gratitude, and culture.

📍 Gyeongsangnam-do – where I tasted Uiryeong soba and mangaetteok at the palace of Uiryeong-gun.
Each dish told a story.
I visited fascinating places that connected me to the country's business history.

📍 Suncheon – pure nature.
Every garden adorned the city with beauty. A place where the body and soul can rest.

📍 Incheon and Cheongna – places of learning, where affection became eternal and where some of my farewells also took place.

📍 Gunpo – where the ordinary became extraordinary.
Through homemade meals and simple conversations, I learned that beauty lies in simplicity.

I tried new flavors. I let myself be surprised by unplanned paths.
I laughed, danced, cried, got lost… and found myself again.
I felt the cold, the heat, the thrill, the nostalgia… I felt life.

Not everything was easy. Sometimes I didn’t understand. Many times I felt out of place.
But there was always someone willing to teach me with patience, respect, and love.

There’s a Korean proverb that says:

“가르침은 스승의 시간과 마음을 빌려 쓰는 것이다.”
Teaching is to borrow the time and heart of a master.

And during this journey, many people generously lent me their time, hearts, and wisdom.

Servas Korea was my home away from home.
All the hosts not only opened their doors—they opened their souls. They took care of me, taught me, made me feel protected and welcomed.

Thanks to them, I understood that belonging isn’t defined by borders or time, but by shared love.

Today I return with my suitcase in hand, but my heart overflowing—
With names, faces, and moments that are now part of my story.

Because in the end, it’s not the places that transform you.
It’s the people.
And the time they chose to gift you.

Thank you, Korea, for being more than a destination.
Thank you for showing me a more beautiful version of myself.
Thank you, Servas Korea, for being my family again in this new story that’s just beginning.

Thank you, Servas International, for making unforgettable journeys possible 🫶🏾

I will return, Korea 🇨🇺🇰🇷 — because we always return to the place where we were happy ❤️

With love and gratitude,
Yudeisy 🇨🇺💫🇰🇷

Greetings from Servas Cuba 🌺