A New Beginning on Jeju Island

We have just moved into our new home on Jeju Island, just a few kilometers north of Seogwipo, the second-largest city on the island’s southern coast. Our new neighborhood is a charming blend of nature and tradition, filled with mandarin groves, rugged stone walls, and frighteningly narrow streets. It’s a place where large kimchi jars adorn the porches of every home. The sky here is a stunning shade of blue, and the ocean sparkles in the distance while the sun filters through the trees and the wind, always wind, dances through the palm leaves. Birds flit from branch to branch, darting toward bushes bursting with wild berries. It’s undeniably a magical place, and we couldn’t be more excited about being here.   I feel a profound sense of belonging.

Reflections on Home

This experience has led me to ponder the concept of home, particularly for those of us who consider ourselves global citizens, having thrived in various environments and cultures throughout our lives. What truly defines a place as home? Is it where we were born? I often find myself asking my parents how things are “at home.” Or is it where we currently reside? We own a house in North Vancouver, which we refer to as our primary home. Whenever I fill out forms, I dutifully list my ‘home’ address: Tempe Crescent, North Van, Canada.

But what if home is not just a physical location? Perhaps it’s where we feel most at ease, where we experience a strong sense of belonging and acceptance. For us, that feeling of home also encompasses the friends and family scattered across the globe, each connection adding layers to our understanding of what home truly means. And now, as we stand here on Jeju Island, I feel a deep sense of being “at home,” as though I was always meant to be here. In fact, late a few nights ago, a poem formed in my mind, compelling me to rise and jot it down so I could sink back into sleep.

What is home?
A place you were born,
A place where you live,
A place where you belong,   or
A space where your heart runs free