This past summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Peru and immerse myself in a new culture. I felt submerged by the deep ancient ruins, which brought memories of the civilizations that once lived there. I longed to familiarize myself with these stories hoping it would broaden my perspective when I suddenly became conscious of my lack in my own cultural knowledge, both Korean and American. During this trip I was confronted with multi-layered questions of race and culture.

We were a group of travelers from all over the country who had chosen to embark on a trip to a completely new environment. Not only did I meet people from Indonesia but I also had the opportunity to meet companions from the east coast and realize there was so much culture here in America I had never encountered. Each individual brought something unique to the plate, whether it was a Long Island dialect or Texas drawl.

However, with discussing race comes moments of tensions. There were instances where I felt racial stereotypes and prejudices brought tension, hindering my ability to fully connect with individuals. As a Korean American, I was constantly asked questions about my background and “people” from both the Peruvians and my travel companions. It was surprising for me to discover that a few of them had never met a Korean, or even an Asian before. This showed me that not everybody had had the same access to different cultural information.

I created memories of incredible experiences with some of the most amazing people that I have ever met; people who had different ideals, values, religions, talents and backgrounds that challenged me to see outside my own bubble. By confronting me with multi-layered questions of race and culture, the trip provided me with patience, social skills and a cultural awareness that will help me interact with others and keep an open mind. As a result, I realized the significance of being culturally conscious, with a true understanding and appreciation towards cultural diversity.