About a month ago, I took a flight from Korea to San Francisco to start my exchange program in New Orleans. Since there was no direct flight to New Orleans, I decided to spend some time traveling in San Francisco. However, because I had only two weeks between the end of my semester in Korea and my departure for New Orleans, I had very little time to prepare. As a result, I boarded the plane without making any travel plans for San Francisco.
I checked in two 23 kg suitcases and carried a 7 kg backpack onto the plane. It was so heavy that I felt physically exhausted. After finally completing the boarding process, I entered the airplane. I always feel excited when I go to the airport, and the moments before takeoff are my favorite. However, this time, my feelings were different because I was not traveling for leisure but for a year of studying abroad. I was nervous.
As I tried to lift my backpack into the overhead compartment, I realized it was too heavy for me to manage on my own. There were many people behind me waiting to pass, and I started sweating from the struggle. At that moment, a woman stepped in to help me. She looked Korean with her black hair, and she seemed to be about the same age as me. To my surprise, she turned out to be sitting next to me. On my right was my friend who was also heading to Loyola, and on my left was the woman who had helped me.
Gathering my courage, I struck up a conversation with her. "Are you traveling to San Francisco?"
She told me that she lives in San Francisco and was returning home after a trip to Korea—her first visit in 15 years. Her name was Ina, and she was incredibly accomplished. She had started studying in the U.S. from middle school, graduated from UCLA, worked in New York for four years, and was now attending law school in San Francisco. I was surprised. Since I’ve always dreamed of working in New York or living there for a month, I found her story inspiring and impressive.
Ina told me that her hometown was Seoul, which is also my hometown. This common ground led to even more conversation. She showed me pictures and shared stories about Seoul. Since this was my first time in the U.S. (aside from a trip to Hawaii 10 years ago), I had many questions for her. She patiently explained things to me, using the flight map screen to describe different parts of the U.S. I learned about the time differences and gained insight into American culture. For example, she told me things like saying "bless you" when someone sneezes and what foods are delicious, recommending Chipotle and Panera.
Ina also gave us restaurant recommendations and travel tips for San Francisco. Meeting her felt lucky. Before I knew it, our 10-hour flight was coming to an end. It felt so special and surreal to have met someone like her on a plane.
After clearing immigration, we finally arrived in San Francisco. Ina even guided us to the Uber pickup area, which I deeply appreciated. We kept in touch throughout my travels, and on my last day in San Francisco, she gave us a tour of the city. I was so grateful to have a free, local-guided tour. She even showed us her law school, which looked like a hotel. Since she had come out between her classes, she had to leave quickly, but I was touched that she made time for us despite her busy schedule.
As a thank-you, my friend and I invited her to visit us in New Orleans. She said she would come if she had the chance. I hope to settle into New Orleans quickly so that I can give her the perfect tour when she visits.
This was my first time striking up a conversation with a stranger on a flight, and it was an incredibly valuable experience. It was the most enjoyable flight of my life.
