뉴욕시 교육국 산하 리전 3학군(퀸즈 25·26학군) 소속 스테파니 서스맨씨의 한국 방문기를 번역, 소개한다.

언어치료전문가(Speech Therapist)인 서스맨씨는 현재 학군내 모든 특수교육을 총괄하는 감독관으로 근무하고 있는 교육계 경력 24년의 베테랑 교사. 개인지도까지 받아가며 한국어 공부에 남다른 열성을 쏟고 있는 서스맨씨의 얘기가 지난해 8월21일 뉴욕한국일보 지면을 통해 소개되자 뉴욕한인여행사협회 이명우 회장이 선뜻 무료 한국여행 기회를 주선했고 이에 서스맨씨는 지난 10월 초 3박4일 일정으로 경주세계문화엑스포에 참가하는 등 첫 한국방문의 꿈을 이뤘다.

Not what we give, but what we share; for the gift without the giver is bare. Recently, I had the opportunity to personally thank reporter Julianne Lee and share the photos, experiences and fabulous memories of my trip to Korea last October. Julianne Lee was again present as I and my colleagues from the New York City Department of Education Region 3 hosted a group of 40 visiting teachers and principals from Korea at our regional office in Flushing.

This was the second group of visitors that Region 3 has hosted. We shared information and answered many questions about ourinstructional goals and curriculum, teacher selection, certification and professional development training, our support of students with disabilities and special needs, and the programs we have for our English Language Learners.

For more than one and a half hours, we had a lively and engaging time with our guests and also found out much about the educational structure, policies and priorities of educators in Korea. My trip was made possible by her feature article written about me and the philanthropy of the Korean business and cultural community after hosting the first group of visiting teachers and principals last August.

My photos documented an exciting 5-day trip to Andong and Gyeongju filled with guided excursions and the hospitality of private citizens in whose homes I stayed. I had the distinct honor of spending the night in Andong at a 600-year-old ancestral home,
being the first non-Korean person to have ever stayed there.

In Andong, I visited the Andong Folk Museum, Center for Korean Studies, Andong Dam, Dosan Seowon, and Byeongsan Seowon. I spent many hours at the Andong Mask Dance Festival delighting in the artistry, dance and musical performances and friendship of the festival organizers, politicians and citizens. In this wonderful city there is truly a unique harmony of noblemens culture with the culture of the common man-and thousands of years of ancient history with spiritual philosophies.

As I moved on to Gyeongju, I of course visited Buseoksa, the National Museum and Mt. Namsan. In Gyeongju, I stayed in the home of the internationally famous artist Doo-Seun Kim, surrounded by her distinguished Korean Pottery. The perfect autumn weather offered warm sunny days and comfortable evenings to enjoy the parks, countryside and rich landscape that flows from the mountains, streams and rivers.

The natural beauty of these southern cities is complemented by the success of city planners to mesh the old with the new. I was most amazed by the new housing that seems to be growing out of the mountains to surround the verdant lowlands without destroying the sense of balance and beauty, and the needs of an increasingly urban citizenry with the preservation of history.

Of course, there was also the food-and I was treated to meal after delicious meal, tea and sweets at every stop we made. The little bit of Korean language I have mastered was sufficient to express my gratitude and enjoy the conversation as we ate and drank. As I made my way back from Gyeongju to Incheon Airport by bus, I had but a brief glimpse of Seoul- a city that appears to have a majestic quality that I am longing to visit and spend time getting to know in the future.

For you see, returning to Korea is most certainly in my plans. Perhaps by then, I will have worked hard enough so that my Korean language ability will improve and I will be ready to absorb the sophistication and richness of the city of Seoul. Thank you Julianne Lee.